The Not-so-Jiffy Dress

This was not a Jiffy dress.

But I do like it.

Why the false advertising? I dunno...okay, I do know.  30% of the blame goes to the pattern, 70% to the idiot in it.  In the interest of science, let me clarify:

• Every raw edge of this fabric had to be finished. Every. Single. One. Blame: Me.
• 8 darts.  I repeat: 8 darts. Blame: Pattern.
• consecutive sizes are not nested, making cutting a 12 on top and a 14 on bottom difficult.  I should have traced on tracing paper. Blame: Pattern
• I probably needed a 16 at the hips, but that's not included in this size. Blame: Pattern
• There is no/very little ease.  I sewed all seam allowances at 3/8" for a more "flattering" fit. (Read: able to zip closed.) Blame: Pattern
• I lined it.  Doh.  I even made it more difficult  by attaching the facings to a second dress cut out of lining fabric, using folded pleats for each dart. Blame: Me.  For making shit difficult.
• I did not follow the instructions, but put the zipper in the back pieces before attaching the front at the shoulders (clearly, dumb instructions). I attached the facing/lining after the dress, sewing the lining along the zipper first, then along the neckline.  I also followed this tutorial courtesy of Fashion Incubator for the facing, except with an invisible zipper. Blame: Me. Again for making it difficult.
• I actually managed to sew the armhole facings using sorcery and a variety of limber sleeve-bagging tricks.  My brain hurt after I managed to work that out. Blame: Me.  
• Dude, this dress grew during production.  I ran it through the washer and dryer again before hemming, which I'm very glad I did.   I bet my students are glad, too. Blame: Me, for choosing this fabric.
• I can only consume water, steamed rice, and vanilla ice cream while wearing this dress. One of out three's not bad. Blame: Me.

Hmm. By my count, that's 40% blame to the pattern...

 

The good stuff? 

• Oh my, this is lovely fabric.  For reals.  White linen (which every mother of two young boys needs), with a slight herringbone weave, thick and drapey, and soft. Lightly textured. 
• Lined in ivory Bemberg lining--oh so perfect against skin.
• Flattering fit, or that's what I'm going with.
• Machine washable (which every mother of two young boys needs).

•  Despite all my complaining, the dress did turn out very nicely, and I am proud of my work.  I'm not opposed to sewing this pattern again, but next time I'll do myself a favor and choose a slightly more stable fabric.  

The Facts:


Pattern: Simplicity 1609
Fabric: soft white linen from Kaplan's (remainder of bolt) + ivory Bemberg lining
Notions: 24" invisible zipper, Pro-sheer interfacing from Fashion Sewing Supply (along zipper and facings), white hem lace from inherited stash
Year: 2013 reprint of 1960's pattern
Time to complete:  week or two, but I was working on two projects at the same time
First worn: with a deep blue cardigan to work today



Bonus! I had enough left over of both the linen and Bemberg for a pair of Thurlow shorts.  They are not perfect, because at the last minute, I decided to line these, too, and that took some thinking.  Maybe I should actually buy myself that lining book everyone keeps blogging about...

Who decides to sew white linen at the end of summer?  

Um.  Me.