Butterick Pattern Sale

Butterick is having a pattern sale from today to midnight Tuesday. Patterns are $5 each - stock up!

Lesson learned!

I've been working on Vogue 8229 - slowly, but surely. I'm very close to putting in the invisible zipper (my first!), which will basically be the final step before hemming it. I'm fairly pleased with how the dress is shaping up, but there are a few things that I would do differently if I were to make this pattern again.

The main issue is, I think, that I used an interfacing that is too heavy/stiff for my fabric. This is not entirely my fault. I asked the fellow at the fabric store for lightweight fusible interfacing, which is what the pattern calls for. He showed me some interfacing that looked lightweight enough to me and asked, "will this work?" Uhhh, like I know. I just started sewing three months ago. This is why I asked you for help. Whatever.

Anyway, next time I use a fabric like this (it's either a polyester satin or a cotton sateen), I will probably use the fabric itself or some other lightweight fabric. The armholes on this dress stick out like tent poles - it's ridiculous! I think I can fix it by clipping the facings around the curves, but I don't think that will completely resolve the issue. Ah well, live and learn :)

I think I should be done with this dress - or at least be ready to hem it - in a couple days. Pictures soon!

Fabric on the Brain

I'm totally swamped with work right now, so I've had little time to do any sewing. But, I have been thinking a lot about fabric and patterns. The little beauty at the beginning of the post is uppermost in my mind right now. It's sitting in the corner of our apartment, all ready to cut, taunting me. I think I'll finally get around to cutting out the pattern pieces for it this afternoon, when my sewing pal Mimi comes over.

The fabric is destined to become Vogue 8229:



Sleeveless version, sans ruffle. I'm so excited about this pattern . . . now I just need to find the time to make it up!