Materials: A Pumpkin Spice plaid from Ye Olde Joann’s, a brushed cotton yarn-dyed fabric. This fabric CALLED to me from the shelf. I was innocently shopping for Halloween Costume Supplies™ and it flew into my cart and demanded to be made into a maxi dress. After moving a few months ago, I am very aware that I do not need any more fabric, yarn or craft supplies, but this one GOT ME.
Cost: $46 for 5 yards of fabric and $3 for thread.
Timeline: I've been eyeing this pattern since it was released in March of 2021. I bought the fabric early September 2021, and finally finished sewing it last week, early November 2021.
Sizing, mods, changes and notes on fitting: I cut a size 12 in this pattern, but my measurements would have put me at a size 16. There's a lottttt of ease built in, so if you want something more fitted, size down. My dress is still relaxed and very easy to wear.
I did a 1" FBA, but after making a muslin, I ended up pinching out that same inch at the center front. This brought the neckline in on my shoulders and the darts closer to my apex, and meant that I had to redraw the center V, since I loved how deep it was drafted. Overall, I am thrilled with the fit of the bodice after making these round-about changes. I also added ties at the side seams for a versatile belt that could give me more waist definition when I'm in the mood for it (which is almost always).
The fabric also told me it wanted to be EXTRA and needed a LOT of skirt. So instead of the two tiers, I cut four, each 12" high and increasing the width by 1.5x for each tier. The last tier is only 6" high, and woah, is it kicky! Maybe a little bit country?
Feelings about this project: Gathering is so much work and I should have gotten a gathering foot before I attempted this project, but I'm all about using what I've got and not buying new equipment for every single project.
Feelings about myself: I loved this pattern from the moment I saw it – it is just so WEAR-able. I know that I’m not the only one to crave easier clothes over the last 18 months, but I also love getting dressed in more than pj’s or sweatpants. It helps my mood, and the more I make the effort, the better I find myself adjusting to working from home. I feel more like a ME, you know? So having this dress that fits well and makes me feel so extra is awesome and inspiring. I already have a second one cut out.
Feelings about the world: Katie, why are you resurrecting this blog (again)?? I'm feeling burnt out on the non-stop advertising of certain social media platforms, and I really miss having a cohesive record or diary or journal of my creative projects. So here I am again, writing a much-too-long post about the ins and outs of this project, if only so I can read it back to myself later when I wonder how or why I made this or that. Hopefully there's a little information here for anyone else that might want to know, too. And I'm using a template to make it easy on myself, so you'll see these same questions answered for each project.
What I’ve been listening to or watching: I listened to the audio book version of "Broken Horses" by Brandi Carlile while sewing this dress. Kind of a perfect match for a dress that's a little bit country! I love Brandi as a musician and this book struck me deep. I cried about every 20 minutes, and if you listen to the audio book, she plays the songs from each chapter as it goes along. Truly masterful storytelling, and I haven't stopped listening to her albums since I finished the book.