New dress sort-of joy
Yesterday was one of the hardest deadlines I've had in a long time – issue 177 of one of my magazines is over 75% thicker than usual so I've had a LOT of extra work on (last week I worked late every evening and did all weekend, for example). Anyway, it meant I didn't do much that wasn't work. But that deadline is now done, and I'm feeling much bouncier already, and finally decided to brave wearing the dress I finished making a few weeks ago.
I say 'brave', how much courage does it take to wear something only Mr Robot will see?
I'd feared this one wouldn't fit well in either the waist or bust. Well, the waist is fine. The bust... there's a bit of pulling there, but given the amount of adjustment I had to do to the bodice, I can live with it.
The adjustments
Went down a couple of dress sizes to account for my narrow shoulders. Very happy with that.
Had to bring the bottom of the bodice back up a couple of sizes to match the skirt. That's also pretty much spot on, size-wise, though the bottom of the bodice isn't particularly straight.
In between, had to do a full bust adjustment (FBA) because patterns aren't designed for GG cups. That's... not so good.
Now, I'm currently the heaviest I've ever been, thanks to lockdown lack of movement and deadline comfort eating, so I'm hoping that now things are less frantic I'll be able to do a regular walk, perhaps at lunchtime, and eat more sensibly, and that will help me lose some pounds and the button pulling won't be a problem. The big issue I have with the bodice are the darts. They're supposed to point at 'the apex of the bust', ie yer nips. My darts point a good two inches above. Because I trace all my patterns onto Swedish tracing paper, it'll be simple enough to redo the pattern so future dresses have darts in the right place. But this one annoys me! On top of that, the darts have turned out very pointed at the end (no, those are not unnaturally perky boobs in the image below).
I'm afraid the apex of my bust points to my knees these days, so I'd happily take anything that makes 'em look perky :)
ReplyDeleteSewing for a big bust has been what's put me off making anything other than skirts. I do agree that it looks darn good for a first dress (or first dozen had I been making it).
That sounds like a monster editing job! Congrats on getting it out.
I'm finally recovering from the exhaustion... Doing two mags at once, there isn't a lot of time to recuperate after a tough deadline.
DeleteI'm hacking another pattern now, and nothing has ever made me feel my age like having to drop the bust dart by two inches...
It’s a lovely dress, I have put weight on around the boobie area, and of course Japanese men love boobs !!!! they are big enough I don’t want them any bigger!!! so no more egg mayo sandwiches for me!! And salads. I wouldn’t care I walk miles a day!! Damn lockdown.
ReplyDeleteWalking's good - a slow way to burn off all those egg sandwiches. (I love egg mayo sandwiches; I had to stop taking them to work 'cos i'd eat my lunch as soon as I got in...)
DeleteI see what you mean about the perky boobs! I wish - mine are heading south but you didn't need that much information did you?
ReplyDeleteI think you've done remarkably well. It must be especially tricky when you are not a standard size or your top half and bottom half are different sizes; to make something from a standard pattern.
Hope you're getting a breather now the deadline passed...
xxx
Oh, mine are going south fast. At least it's giving me an incentive to learn a bit of tailoring - and it's putting me off shopping because I know stuff isn't cut for me.
DeleteGlad to hear you got that mother of all deadlines out of the way, it sounds utterly exhausting. Working only two-day weeks for almost three months, I can't even imagine working full time again, let alone late nights and weekends! I have noticed in difference in my comfort eating, too, but now that I'm working less, it's the other way around with me. Hope you'll be able to resume your daily walks. It's a lovely dress, and surely the experience is worth it. Certainly not bad at all for a first attempt. xxx
ReplyDeleteI saw someone on Twitter saying, "You're not working from home, you're holding down a fulltime job under emergency conditions in a pandemic" and that's stuck with me. Sometimes all I can manage during the week is the job and a little housework, but that's okay. All my good blog chums won't desert me!
DeleteWell done on getting the magazine finished.
ReplyDeleteThat dress is amazing, it fits you beautifully, I can't see any weight gain, just a confident and gorgeous woman. xxx
Thank you! I reckon if I make another and drop the bust dart it'll be perfect.
DeleteThe dress looks great for a first try :) My first was a mess. I'd recommend reading bunny's blog La Sewista for sewing tips, especially her next level sewing. She has an entry there about darts that's excellent.
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you! I haven't come across that one. I've added her to my bloglist.
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