April 10, 2011

Jamie Dress Sew Along


It's finished! I completed my first dress and I love it! I used a fabulous Jennifer Paganelli print from her "Poodle" line called "Tanya" (in mustard). It's an unexpected color combo and a lot of fun! And yes, it is the same fabric used on the front of the pattern. I loved it on the model and couldn't resist.

I love the lines of this dress because it works well for a curvy girl like me. The waist cinches in at my skinniest part and flares out from there. I can dress it up with some heels and a pashmina, or dress it down with a pair of espadrilles and a cardigan. A great addition to my wardrobe!

The pattern itself was pretty easy and came with a ton of instructions. Maybe it's because this is my first dress, but I loved the way the lining of the dress came together in the bodice so you can't see the seams-- they're tucked in between the dress and lining.

Changes I made to the pattern: I used an invisible zipper instead of the standard one recommended in the pattern and I think it worked out really nicely. I also had to take it in a bit in the bodice, but that was easily done and I think the fit is much better than it would have been.

Changes I may make the next time I sew it:
1. the skirt is really full--you take almost 2 yrds of fabric and gather it down to over half that length. I really like the fullness, but I may try to make it a little less full next time.
2. I also saw that some people in the sew-along used coordinating colors and continued the ruched waist around to the back of the dress to give it the look of having a sash. I really like that and think it would be fun to play with.
3. I like the idea of making this into a tunic-- Kim at My Go-Go Life did that and I think the results are too cute!!

All in all, this sew-along was a lot of fun and I really want to find another one to join in with soon!

Coming up, I have a couple of projects. I'll be posting about them on Wednesday for my WIP(work in progress) Wednesdays! Lee has a weekly link up over at her blog Freshly Pieced. I'm excited to link up this week!

No I'm off to start working on my super-secret mother's day project for my mom. Want a hint? Oh, ok... here you go:

12 comments:

  1. Your dress looks awesome! It's great to see it on a curvy girl, since I am also a curvy girl :-) I was also going to participate in the sew along, but my machine is in the shop right now. I'm trying to decide if I want to go ahead and make a "tester" on my old machine (Grandma's very old Singer...which still does work nicely)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great job! I love to sew. But I am not patient enough for patterns :) Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You are "sew" talented, Meredith. (Sorry; couldn't resist the pun.) But for realz, majorly impressive!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I meant to ask in my previous comment...did you sew the bodice with the extra fullness and then have to take it in, or did you have to take it in just from the general bodice?

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is so cute!
    I LOVE how your dress turned out!

    ReplyDelete
  6. It looks so great! I also love both of the other versions, especially the one with the contrasting fabric in #2:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh I love this!! This sew along is the next project on my list and seeing all these awesome finishes has me itching to get started! Great job, it looks fantastic on you!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow...you look hot! That dress is fabulous on you. Thanks for the inspiration

    ReplyDelete
  9. Looks fantastic! I noticed your fabric was the same as the pattern when Sara featured it earlier this week. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love this and I love it on you and I love that you want to make more and change it up a bit..You are my hero. xoxoxo Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love this dress on you! I have the pattern, but my fabric arrived a bit too late for me to participate in the sew-along. I am also a curvy gal (big cheers for the Sis Boom patterns coming in curvy gal sizes too!). I am debating on whether or not I should reduce the fullness of the skirt. My hips are huge, so I do not need/want too much extra poufing in that area. I may work up a bedsheet muslin first to test :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Just jacked off to these pics

    ReplyDelete