Simplicity 1250 Finished at last!

It. Is. Finished.

Well, actually, it's been finished... but I've also been lazy.

My planning post is here and my constructing post is here, both from waay back when, but there's no time in the internet, right?

And, as a reminder, here is the original pattern (which you can also find online here):

Simplicity 1250 Pattern

But putting procrastination in the past, I present to you, my 2014 CHRISTMAS DRESS!!! YAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

The front w/jacket, not too shabby, eh?

Dress w/jacket detail

Dress w/jacket back

Ta-Da!  The front of the dress.

As you can see the peplum is attached to the dress itself, not the jacket.

The Back!

I did wear a petticoat under this dress (but not too floofy!).  I fioud it looked a bit more complete with it and balanced out my top half better.

Dress Bust Detail

The bust is pleated... yeah, that's all you really need to know.

Jacket Front

SO MANY BUTTONS.  I actually did not finish the buttons in time for the Christmas service I was singing at, so I ended up wearing the jacket without any.  I don't think anyone noticed, haha.  But I did go back since I had already bought all of them, and put every stinkin' shiny gold button on.  I love it, but it was a lot of labor (a labor of love?).

Jacket Back

Jacket Detailing

And for funsies, here is my inspiration and my finished product:

McQueen lookin' mean...

...versus fifties flirty fluff!

Mine is pretty tame, haha, but I'm also pretty proud of it!

Anyways, on to the nitty gritty (or what I can remember of it).  I covered most of this in my fitting/cutting out post, but there was at least one thing I wanted to add.  Match up the plaid on the sides.  Do it.  Not what I did (I forgot?).  I was very naughty.  Do as I say, not as I do, right?

As an overall review of the pattern, I really do love how it turned out.  However, I recollect that it was quite a bit of work and kind of fussy (BUTTONS, button loops, bias facings, boning, plaid - although the plaid mayy have been my fault...).  I cannot say I recommend the pattern for a beginning sewer, but maybe an average/mid skilled sewer who won't mind a little extra fiddley-ness.  And someone with a bit of time; it's definitely no walk-away dress!

Well, that's all I can think to say about it, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Until next time,

-The Gretchen

Simplicity 1425 Completed

And just like that, it's finished!  Aside from my goofs, it took very little time and the result is lovely.  Take a look:

I think it's pretty spiffy!

As you may have noticed, I added a bit of overstitching to edges of the cotton.  I had to make a decision between hiding the stitching (which didn't work well with small polka dots) or emphasizing it.  I chose the latter and was so happy with the result, I added some more.  It also helps to keep some of my seams in place; a double win!

Even though this pattern was relatively simple, I still learned a lot.  Firstly, do not use a really hot iron on chiffon.  Or at least the chiffon I used (from JoAnn Fabrics).  It will melt and melted clothing is not cute!  In my defense, I had the iron set on high for the cotton part of the blouse and didn't even think about what havoc it would wreck on the chiffon part.  Fortunately, the little hole it created isn't noticeable (other than to me).  Unfortunately, it is in such a spot that I determined it really isn't worth the effort to completely replace that section.

I also learned, simultaneously in fact, that chiffon is not the easiest material to work with.  It looks lovely, but the fraying (even with zig-zagging and pinking the edges) was quite a challenge.  As was cutting out.  And sewing together.  It was all challenging for me!  I do not think I'll be using chiffon again for anything that is supposed to be tailored or semi-tailored (like a collar) until I've gotten better acquainted with the material, But I'll still use it for draping and gathering.

If I were to make this blouse again, I might use an organza or something else with a bit more body for the collar.  I would also line it, as I mentioned here in my beginning post. My fabric is slightly see-through and the added security would be nice.

Well, until next time.

-The Gretchen