Woot woot! I finally graduated last Friday! The proof can be seen below, in my ridiculous regalia.
Lord Farquaad himself couldn’t ask for a more velvety hat. It was quite silly.
Underneath all this nonsense I DID finally get to wear the dress I’d been working on for so long! It’s Simplicity’s 2588, the version that is sleevless, uses a neckband, and has the flared skirt.
Y’all, it did NOT go altogether smoothly (as noted from my zipper misadventures.) I still think I’m going to go back and re-do the zipper, but I left it as my MIL finished it, so that it was at least wearable. I learned a bit about fitting with this project- namely, that I don’t know how to do it. I made a muslin and everything, and I still had to take in some bits at the sides and upper-bust. The neckband is also a little too large. If I were to make it again, I’d make a smaller size of neckband and bust, and grade out to the waist (assuming I can figure out how to do that- I think one uses a french curve for that?) The pleats don’t make the perfect “V” where they’re supposed to meet in the front, but I don’t mind. I think it looks fine, and uh…unique!
I just re-took my measurements right this minute, and I’m a 34 Bust, 30.5 waist (ish- My waist is a little hard to find because I’m kind of straight-up-and-down) and about 38 hips. I think. If I measured them in the right place. I feel like I don’t have that classical hourglass figure that’s marked on the backs of all the pattern envelopes, so picking the right size is a little tricky for me. I’m sure it is for everyone though; I mean, how many of us really have the exact shape on the envelope?
Here I am outside my school; it was in the 50s (F) so I didn’t hang out long. I’m hoping to get better, close-up photos after I re-do the zipper. The wind and drizzle-y weather did a number on my sponge-rolled hair, too. Grumble!
The Hubs picked out the fabric for this, and I’m SO happy with it. It’s a lawn or poplin (can’t remember) Lisette fabric from Joann’s. So lovely. Wrinkles like crazy, but it’s alright- it’s a little harder to see with all the swirly colors. I totes wore my leopard print heels. In retrospect, not a comfortable choice by a LONG shot, but I loved how they looked.
I clearly need to work on my posing for photos- my right arm just hangs there as if I’d had a stroke. Nice. But I needed a wider view so you could see the pretty flowers!
Other than this dress, I haven’t done squat lately. My mojo is just GONE. I cut out a muslin Sorbetto a few days ago, but I haven’t sewn it up yet. The Hubs and I are still house-hunting, I’ve started packing (mostly stuff we don’t use) but the apartment is full of tote bins. I’m in kind of a grumpy place mentally and I just can’t get off my duff to even re-thread my machine. It’s very grumbly-making, because I’ve FINALLY got the time, but not the will.
How do you guys restore your crafty mojo?
On the bargain-hunting side of things (and I know many of my readers are thrifty shoppers!)- this dress is one my MIL bought on clearance but didn’t like, so it went to me. Woot! It’s by HHHHennifer Lopeth (South Park again, anyone? Bueller?) and looks good with purple fleurs.
