I got up Saturday and headed down to the cave while everyone was sleeping. I do my best work at this time. Or so I thought (da-da-dum!)
Oh wait. We have to back up.
I had a helluva time taping the pieces together after about page 12. I looked all over and saw no complaints about assembly. I wasn't sure if it was "never say a bad word about an Indie pattern" or if it was a problem on my end. THEN I remembered/realized this pattern was gifted to me and was printed by the gifter. Hmmm. Ok. Could be a printing issue.
Then I found one blogger who had the exact same issues!!! And resolved it. It was a printer problem. Whew.
The pattern comes in sizes 1-8 (I don't like that) and it fits upper bust 30-44. My daughter's HB measurement is 30.5/FB of 32" so I went with a 2. I assumed I'd need to lengthen it but rather than go through all that noise, I just used the size 5 length. Ok...back to it.
I had already traced the pattern pieces off for her. I went down, cut out the pattern pieces and laid my pre washed fabric out to cut.
If you ever have to say to yourself, "Oh wow! This fabric is really wide!" STOP. MAKE SURE YOUR FABRIC IS POSITIONED CORRECTLY!!
Yep. I cut the entire dress (THE ENTIRE THING) out on the cross grain. I did not realize it until after every piece was cut. Neckband, sleeve bands, all that. I seriously almost cried.
I took a break and went and got coffee and a donut. You know, brain food.
Went back to it. Spilled coffee on the fabric.
I re-cut the bodice pieces from the failed skirt sections. I re-cut the sleeve bands from the failed sleeves. I had to re-cut the skirt and sleeves. I had 3.5 yards of this fabric; 2 for her dress and 1.5 for a top for me. No top for me.
Ok. Got the pieces ready to go.
The instructions come in 2 forms; one for beginners that is very detailed with tons of pics and stuff and another crib sheet for more experienced sewers.
Got the dress sewed together and had her try it on (yesterday's post). The 3/8" broad back adjustment I did wasn't necessary and now there's extra fabric :(
DEEP SIGH.
It's okay. She doesn't even notice it and won't be bothered by it.
Then I put on a sleeve band and went to press it using my press cloth. Huge. Mega. Crazy shine spot. Whyyyyyyyy!
Then I set the neckband in the round and didn't stretch enough early on. I had to unpick about a quarter of my serger stitches to properly stretch the remainder.
But it's gorgeous on her and she LOVES it!!!
I ended up having to do a 5/8" hem even with the longer length cut. But the girl has long legs. Really long legs. There were several reviews that complained about the long back bodice and I agree...it's a bit long there.
Otherwise, everything ELSE went off without a hitch. She's happy. I'm happy. I have to find fabric for my own Lady Skater! :)
Dress #2 has to get finished this week.
Yep. I cut the entire dress (THE ENTIRE THING) out on the cross grain. I did not realize it until after every piece was cut. Neckband, sleeve bands, all that. I seriously almost cried.
I took a break and went and got coffee and a donut. You know, brain food.
Went back to it. Spilled coffee on the fabric.
I re-cut the bodice pieces from the failed skirt sections. I re-cut the sleeve bands from the failed sleeves. I had to re-cut the skirt and sleeves. I had 3.5 yards of this fabric; 2 for her dress and 1.5 for a top for me. No top for me.
Ok. Got the pieces ready to go.
The instructions come in 2 forms; one for beginners that is very detailed with tons of pics and stuff and another crib sheet for more experienced sewers.
Got the dress sewed together and had her try it on (yesterday's post). The 3/8" broad back adjustment I did wasn't necessary and now there's extra fabric :(
DEEP SIGH.
It's okay. She doesn't even notice it and won't be bothered by it.
Then I put on a sleeve band and went to press it using my press cloth. Huge. Mega. Crazy shine spot. Whyyyyyyyy!
Then I set the neckband in the round and didn't stretch enough early on. I had to unpick about a quarter of my serger stitches to properly stretch the remainder.
But it's gorgeous on her and she LOVES it!!!
 |
| The color on her is accurate. Not sure why the sleeve band shot is so extra overexposed. |
Otherwise, everything ELSE went off without a hitch. She's happy. I'm happy. I have to find fabric for my own Lady Skater! :)
Dress #2 has to get finished this week.
