Finished Item: Lady Skater

Well...let's just get on with the saga, why don't we?

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!!!

The color on her is accurate. Not sure why the sleeve band shot is so extra overexposed.

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.

Wah. Quasi Fail

Today wasn't my day. I will highlight all of my mishaps on the Lady Skater in the review post...but I worked it out.

All we need now are neck/sleeve bands and hems. 

Progress;

So I needed then, to make a project for me! ;-)

I've been wanting to make NL 6110 for a long time. I had the cotton from SR Harris slated for this and the pattern was already cut out so I got started. 

I was scared I wouldn't have enough fabric so I decided to do view C with the shorter sleeves of view D. And then got the bright idea to use contrast for the bands. 

And then it started. 

This pattern is not hard. But if you look up the word 'fiddly' in the sewing dictionary...this pattern would be listed. 

The front, back, top and bottoms of the sleeves are all gathered. You have the sleeve bands. The -oddly shaped and in need of uber careful stitching- band. Just so many things and so many places where something can go wrong (if you're me). 

Note to self, if you use the shorter sleeves they will hit you at a higher place. And so the bands will need to be bigger. See. Things like that. 

Meh. 

The good:

That's a nice lookin sleeve and band! 

The ok: 

It's cute! But the imperfections show. 

The ugly:

Wavy band, poor stitching in the ditch and topstitching. And, what the heck happened with the band?!?! I dunno. I'm going to add a little fake placket square doo-dad to cover it up...

I LIKE the top on me...and I like this fabric. I guess this will be a muslin. Or hopefully I'll pull it out later and not notice all of my hiccups. I hope!

Size 14 with size 12 sleeves (reviews said they ran big). I think if you're slim, small cup size, your traditional size may feel too big. But above a C cup or with a little extra fluff...and you need those gathers and extra room to help get over the lady lumps! :)

My husband thinks the print + shape is dowdy. I think it's perfect to toss on on the weekend with skinny jeans or my new shorts!

**oh also, I thought I was going to eventually make this up in chiffon?? Heck. No. Too flippin' fiddly. Maybe a rayon challis?? Maybe.