Project Sewn: Fashion Icon Challenge

4 surprise snow days + last minute inspiration = down-to-the-wire submission

I had the pattern; I had the fabric, I had the time....all I needed was the big fake eyelashes to 

unleash my inner Twiggy. 

Well, Twiggy style.

I tried to "Twiggy" pose, but was lost, so here goes:

The Facts: 

Pattern: Simplicity1609, the "Jiffy" Dress

Fabric: Inherited cotton/wool blend, which admittedly was silkier before I washed it.  Oops.

Notions: 22" zipper, interfacing, hem binding, and big fake eyelashes.

Here's a gander at the back: 

Details: 

So, this is actually the second time I screwed up the directions on this pattern, but at least this time, I screwed it up better.  I prefer to put zippers in flat, so I did that again, contrary to directions.  So in order to attach the facings neatly, I sewed the back facing to the back piece neckline and sleeves, and the front facing to front neckline and sleeves.  Then, I sewed the shoulder seams of the outside only, and handstitched the facing seams closed.  Much easier than the crazy origami thing I did last time.  But it does look clean. : )

Also, I used a lapped zipper instead for a Twiggier (more vintage) look, and hacked an extra 2" off the hem.

If I might add in here, I thought this would be easier fabric to use than the linen I used last time, and it mostly was, but good Lord, matching up those checks along the front seam about drove me crazy.  It's a good thing the snow just kept coming, because I probably re-did that seam 4 times.  Then I remembered that perfectionism is a disease, and declared it close enough.

I really have to thank my grandma for her wonderful taste in fabric--this stuff is awesome, and I had just enough for this.  The woven houndstooth pattern made it super easy to hide my handstitches for the invisible hem.  Plus, it is toasty warm, especially when paired with a wool sweater and tights.

In fact, my 6 year old told me I looked so beautiful when I came down for pictures, that I should wear this to work, and I will...maybe without the eyelashes, though.

My neighbor helped take most of the pictures for me, but before we stopped, my husband took this last one.

And in return...

I'm off to Project Sewn to check out the other amazing creations.

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.