Project! The Capulet Dress (Test) by Stitch Witch Patterns

I'm blogging my way through some projects I finished in March and April, right before I got busy and did some traveling. So here we go:

Pattern: Oh yes, it's another lovely pattern from Stitch Witch Patterns - The Capulet Dress! 

Materials: I purchased 5.5 yards of this beautiful rayon from Remainders Creative Reuse for another project, intending to use a stiffer cotton for this dress. I did not read the pattern closely, though, and was only able to score about 3 yards of the 45" wide cotton when the pattern calls for 60" wide fabric, and so I used this backup fabric. It's a different dress than I intended to make, but it still came out gorgeous!

I will take this opportunity to shout it from the rooftops: Remainders is amazing and I am so so lucky to have a craft thrift store here in Pasadena. I try to stay chill every time I go in there, but inevitably I leave with vintage fabric. This is where I got the amazing plaid fabric for my Christmas B6453. And I have 2-3 cuts of fabric in my stash that haven't been sewn up yet. 

Cost: $16.50 for 5.5 yards of rayon. The rest of the materials were already in my stash so we'll say a total of $16.50 for this dress, since I received the pattern in exchange for testing it. 

Timeline: Finished at the end of March, before the pattern release. 

Sizing, mods, changes and notes on fitting: Since this was a test sew, the fit is pretty off. (Madeline has since made changes to the pattern, so go forth and sew it without fear!) As you'll see from my photos, the back had to be taken in quite a bit, so it doesn't have that nice square back. On my next version, I'll be sure to do more extensive fitting. 

Because I am both tall and old, I added length to the bodice and the skirt. I don't think I really needed the extra bodice length, and next time I'll skip it. I also added pockets, because I love snacks and must always have lip balm on me. Since I was sewing with the rayon, I had to make the longer Juliet sleeves! I LOVE them, they're so dramatic and elegant. 

Feelings about this project: I love this dress - it's very romantic and a little 90's when made up in this fabric. This one is on my list to revisit in a lighter fabric with more body in the short sleeve version, so watch out, Summer 2022!

Project! The Maiden Blouse Test Sew by Stitch Witch Patterns

Pattern: The Maiden Blouse by Stitch Witch Patterns. This is part of The Maiden Set, which also includes a skirt, but I didn't test the skirt due to lack of time and fabric. The blouse pattern is VERSATILE - two necklines, a sleeveless option, and two different back hem options. 

Materials: This fabric is a midcentury curtain I thrifted about 20 years ago. I think it kiiiinda looks like Michael Banks' coat in Mary Poppins. Or a stick of that Fruit Stripe Gum, the one with the zebra on it. (You can still buy that gum! I had to google it.) I had two of these curtains to start and made a dress and a skirt sometime in the early/mid 2000's, which I no longer have. I'm pretty sad I parted with them at some point, but what are you gonna do? 

Cost: I received this pattern for free in exchange for testing, and this fabric, my muslin fabric (which I will finish soon) and all notions were from my stash, including the boning. So $0, other than the cost of lugging around a stash of fabric and notions for over 15 years.

Timeline: I was on a deadline, so this only took me a few days, like February 5th-8th, or so. 

Sizing, mods, changes and notes on fitting: Since I was testing this pattern for fit and feedback, some of the changes I made may have been reflected in the final pattern. I will say - there are two cup size ranges for this pattern (awesome!) and I attempted to use the C-D cup, even though I am a DD cup... I should have just done an FBA. I tried to grade between sizes for the bust to get an extra inch, instead of doing a proper FBA and because of that, the fit is a little off in the bust and the whole bodice could use more length. Live and learn. 

Feelings about this project: I LOVE the delightful circus look of the finished product! I have no clue where I will wear this, but I'm excited for the looks I will get on that day! I used a gingham apron to make the muslin and I will cut a new front bodice and finish that as a sleeveless version (or maybe add little floaty sleeves?) because I love the shape of this top, overall. The sleeves are epic, but they use a lottttt of fabric, so the sleeveless version is great for adding just a *touch* of Ren Faire to your wardrobe with a small amount of fabric.

Feelings about myself: Pretty good! I think I look great in structured tops like this, so I'm very happy with it. I would also love one in linen for a softer version, like a few of the other testers made. 

Feelings about the world: Wow, there's a lot going on, right? I write this blog post right after news of Russia invading Ukraine and it's all I can think about. I'm sending love to all my Ukrainian and Russian friends. 

Extra Pickle Portrait for love.