19.4.16

Dress with horizontal waist gathers

I am back on track with my craftsy course for this dress.  This is from the :Patternmaking + Design: creative darts and seamlines" course.  The class showed transferring the bust and waist darts to gathers in the waist dart.  I decided to do the same with the skirt hip darts, and I made the dress into a V-neck, both front and back.





I'm not sure that this is the most flattering design for me, or if maybe I need to fix up my pattern a little, but it seems all a bit droopy at the bottom of the bust, and it is a bit tight at the top of bust, which is why my facings are showing through.  The fabric is a lightweight sateen, which probably contributes to the show through.

The fabric is a much lighter colour than I normally wear.  It was an online buy, and I was drawn to the red in the print.  This is one of those cases where the closeup photo does not really show what the fabric looks like from a distance, as the overall effect is more pink than red.

So, the overall dress is okay, but I don't love either the design or the fabric.  Onto the next lesson...

9 comments:

Tropical Threads said...

Oooh nice! I love the effect of the gathers. Ok I can see the other issues but only after you pointed them out ;-P As for the colour, it does look in the photos at least, as if it's a bit pale for you. But I'm being picky.

Buying online can bring some rather odd results. I bought what I thought was a small 'arabesque' style print, but when it came, the arabesques were almost twice the size of my hand. Hmmm.... NOT my usual style!

Raquel from J.C. said...

When I saw the picture I was drawn immediately to the tummy area and I think is because of the fabric: it looks like a rectangle! Maybe if you use a different fabric? I like the dress but not the fabric

Summer Flies said...

I think you are right about the colour...i.e. that it looks a bit pink at a distance but I don't mind that at all. I was first going to say I think there are too many gathers but I think the fabric is a bit heavy for for gathers but it could be fewer gathers for the heavier fabric and that amount of gather for a lighter fabric.... does that make sense? Overall i like it :) Great drafting with everything meeting up!

Anonymous said...

You did a great job. Lovely dress; looks beautiful on you.

Sue said...

I wonder if you add some red accessories if it might bring out the red more than the pink? I like the idea but do see your issues (once you point them out). I would still happily wear that dress though.

Gail said...

I quite like the dress and colour suits you. If you do redraft the pattern you might consider lowering the bust dart a smidge. This will reduce the illusion of sagginess at the side of the bust.

G said...

Oh nice. Makes me think of V1302 :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, that sewing patterns is gorgeous! I wish I could stumble upon something similar one day! New dress looks damn great on you.. and I like how you styled it

Shwetablog said...

Great!