Alice In Wonderland at Sea

First, it was the legs.

Then the arms wanted to come out, too.

 Pattern: Simplicy 1801

Fabric: seafoam green cotton batiste, underlined with ivory cotton

Notions: invisible zip, light interfacing

Notes:

Well, I really didn't derivate from the last time I made this pattern.  This time I chose a crisper fabric, and both seem to work well. This time I also left off the sleeves.  I kept the raised neckline and altered waist pieces, so it was a pretty straight forward project.  It's nice sewing with well-behaved fabric.  

Especially when it's so fun to look at!

I purchased this from Mood on a whim, and while it was really out of what I'd normally wear, I really liked all the random bright colors together.  They described it as an Alice-in-Wonderland print, which I didn't really get, but it is wild and crazy and fun, and kept me constantly amused.  Maybe if Alice went through the looking glass and under the sea?  Maybe more Little Mermaid-y? I don't know.

Don't those look like ocean-y blooms?  And tentacles?

Said the woman who lives about as far away from an ocean as you can get...

 Anyway, I was careful with the print placement so I wouldn't end up with one of those explosive coral things anywhere titillating, but that was about as stressful as it got.

(Which is to say not at all.)

And the back view.

The photo above is probably the closest to true colors.  Crazy and bright, and just what I need after a long, gray winter.  You can tell these were taken pretty late in the day!

Just like last time, I underlined the bodice for a bit more stability.  This time, though, I lined the skirt portion, too.  Mostly because I try to avoid students seeing my underwear.

Both are lined with cotton lawn remants--not quite a yard left of the skirt fabric, and only large scraps for the bodice.

All in all, yay for warmer weather, yay for summer colors, yay for sandals, and yay for lighter-later evenings.

37 and Stephen King

I had a birthday this week, which always calls for a little introspection.

When I was younger, I always imagined my life would be more glamorous.  Honestly, I also imagined I would have bigger boobs.  (Bigger hair and longer fingernails, too, but that's beside the point. There may have been shoulder pads in that fantasy, too.)   My hair hasn't lived up to expectations, but in the last month I've broken a dishwasher, cleaned a chimney, and fixed a toilet. So screw glamour, I have skillz.

I've also made this dress twice this month.  

The first was, well, a failure.  

I used a navy cotton/poly blend that was just too stiff for this pattern.  When I tried it on, my husband remarked that the sleeves stuck out like judges' robes.  And, considering I skipped a muslin, the waist was way too big, the neck was way too low, and there was just no recovering from that.  

The Details

Pattern: Simplicity 1801

Fabric: Joel Dewberry rayon (sooo not warm for November), and cotton lawn for underlining

Notions: 14" zipper and interfacing, as you do

Time to complete: eh, a couple of days, plus a couple more

First worn: to a conversation with Stephen King

Pattern alterations:

1) I raised the neckline about an inch, if not a squish more.  Holy hell.  Here's where bigger boobs may have come in handy.  All was cool if you were looking straight on, but the minute I leaned forward, it was a straight shot clear to my belly button.  For reference, the point of the V ended at the top of the bridge of my bra.  In theory, fine, but not a great look for work, yo.

2) Um, the waist band.  I cut a size 14, as that size was pretty close to my bust/waist measurements.  In the interest of clarity, that's 36" and 28" respectively.  When I couldn't figure out how the first version ended up so huge, I went back and measured the pieces; as drafted, for a 28" waist, the finish measurements produced a 32 1/2" waist band.  Who in the hell needs more than 4" of ease in a waist band, much less a  waistband that is sandwiched between a gathered top and skirt?!  And framed with loose gathered-y sleeves? 

I looked brick-shaped.  Like a brick-shaped judge.  With disappointing cleavage.

Not.Flattering.At.All.

Needless to say, I graded in about 1/2" on each side seam at the waist.

And switched to a drapier fabric.

back view

A- invisible zip insertion.

I give credit to a pretty good color match.

the inside scoop

I have exactly one picture of it on.

My beautiful sister with a signed copy of his new book, and me, squinty-eyed.

I meant for this to be my birthday dress, but it ended up being a Stephen King dress instead.

Which is cool.  I guess. 

In a way, I didn't know what to expect from Stephen King, either.

Which was coming out donned in a Royals hat...

...and leaving with a little bit of rock and roll.

It's pretty awesome getting old.