BWOF 09-2007-117: A great dress
Anyone can sew anything as long as they have a knowledge base, ie, books, Google, one or two people that are willing to help you figure things out..... and lots of patience.
I feel like I should start by saying this because that pretty much sums up the story of this dress.
It all started a 2 months ago, I got the 09-2007 BWOF and I sat down like so many others to 'chose' and fantasize over all the patterns I will never sew. I picked out this dress in an instant.
After getting compliments on the M5466, I realized that I didn't have to "live" in A line skirts, some slimmer silhouettes can work for my curvy figure too.
Initially, I thought a dark chocolate brown wool would be so beautiful for fall, I didn't want a plaid as the Model wore because working with Plaids is NOT my favorite thing to do, in fact I always talk myself out of working with them even though I love plaid RTW garments.
However, I couldn't find any brown wool fabric that appealled to me, you know, brown is one color than can be a hair away from being too "muddy".
I got an email from Fabric.com about their NEW WOOLS. I saw this one, but I didn't buy it as yet, that morning I got a printable coupon from Joann's for their DESIGNER FABRICS, 40% off, so I figured I will go over there and see what they had first.
When I got there, OMG, I saw the most beautiful Black on Black Pinstripe Wool that would have been perfect for this dress, so I took the swatch to get it ordered. It was 24.99 a yarn.
Now, I figure, 24.99 by 2.5 yard (due to matching up the stripes) with the coupon would be cool, I can handle that. While the sales clerk was making up the order sheet, she looked at me and said "Hold on,, I don't think you can order half yarns, only a whole yard,.......... should I just make it 3?"
I was like "HELL NO,,, you are talking about 75 bucks, why do you have to buy whole yards if you are ordering it directly from the warehouse?"
and she said "because of remnants, we can't have any remnants"
well,, I guess they won't be getting my money either....
Back to the drawing board, I ordered the fabric online and it was much cheaper..
I made my muslin while I was waiting for my fabric to arrive. I know a few of you don't like the muslin thing, but I really couldn't chance this one.
Here are a couple of photos of the Muslin
I sent these photos off for some advice on the fit, its really good to get a second opinion on fit if you are not sure because everyone see things differently, you may overlook something because you are a little frustrated or tired,, or, you just want it to be done with.
The Verdict:
I needed more ease in the hip area, I started off with a 42 and eased into a 48 at the hip line, then decreased to a 46 at the thighs because one thing everyone talked about was the ease for walking in the dress.
I did a sway back adjustment, I used the directions from the PDF files uploaded on the Burda English Yahoo group. I took off 2.75 inches and i took of an inch from the length of the back at the neckline.
I added 1/2 inch to the upper back and front to make sure I had more ease for the lining.
The Fabric itself was easy to work with, it is a Plaid but the "window pane" is so big that is was super easy to match the stripes up.
I didn't care of the Model's neckline, so when I say Nicegirl's review on PR, I was immediately sold on it,,, but once again, I didn't know how to make it happen.
Tany suggested how she would do it.
So, I measured the neckline from center back to center Front.
I lengthen the collar bwof provided with added seam allowance, and made 2 collars, overlap one a little bit over the over, cover up the seam with some bias binding and done.
The lining is just on the main body, not on the sleeves, and attached onto the zipper tape,,, pretty much like everyone else that reviewed it.
Looking back, the fit was the biggest issue, the dress itself wasn't that hard to make, the lining was not fun either but it was my first time so that is to be expected.
Dress on Display for inspiration in my living room.
I am so happy with the Fit.
Would I sew it again..... NOPE! Its a once in a lifetime situation plus I have my eye on another beauty.
I already started to look at fabric... silk of course, but this may have to be another muslin project because I'm not sure about that twist front and the ease in the hip/thigh area.
Its 11-2007-109.... I have my company's Christmas party and I'm fantasizing about wearing this.. maybe, maybe not.
I've been tagged by Kim, and I am going to post the answers to that on the next post.
Back to the sewing Machine....
Ahhh man!! That sucks about the fit but the craftsmanship is impeccable! I love the windowpane fabric too. I have been having my own craft related dilemmas as well. Maybe it is in the air?! Oh well "The Dream" will make you feel better
Posted by: Nubiancraftster | October 28, 2007 at 11:59 AM
Toya!!! the dress looks fabulous... I am staring at it with emerald eyes and your Dream project - can't wait for details.
Posted by: Sheila | October 28, 2007 at 12:40 PM
wow, 75 bucks a yard??? Glad you found something more reasonable and the dress did come out great! :)
Posted by: Jude | October 28, 2007 at 01:22 PM
Your extra effort paid off because you got a *great* fit! Every single version I've seen is amazing, and yours is not exception.
Posted by: christina | October 28, 2007 at 01:50 PM
This looks great on you. Where did you end up ordering the fabric?
Posted by: coolobreeze | October 28, 2007 at 02:08 PM
That's a beautiful dress, and it looks great on you! I too love that dress from the new Burda. Love your fabric ideas... This is going to be fun!
Posted by: Isabelle | October 28, 2007 at 03:26 PM
Girl you worked out those problems and that dress is looking FABULOUS ON YOU!!!I love that fabric!!
Posted by: gold | October 28, 2007 at 05:41 PM
Your finished dress looks gorgeous! I can't wait to see your new project - I absolutely love that design.
Posted by: stacy | October 28, 2007 at 06:45 PM
You look fantastic in your lovely dress --- well done! What fun to see so many great variations of this design...
Posted by: caro | October 28, 2007 at 08:26 PM
girl, that dress looks fab on you! the color is really good too!
Posted by: stephanie | October 28, 2007 at 08:35 PM
It looks awesome on you. Consider the fitting issue a learning experience, it was worth it.
Posted by: Cindy | October 28, 2007 at 09:21 PM
Ah Toya, now isn't that beautiful dress worth all the hard work?!!!! I love the picture of you in the dress and think of all the things you learned for the next garment! I agree that you don't need another one of these...it is too distinctive a dress but you should be proud of all the things you learned and how you kept going!
Posted by: Carolyn | October 28, 2007 at 09:22 PM
It's awesome! The fit is amazing. You pick the nicest patterns.
Posted by: Jeanine | October 29, 2007 at 04:45 PM
That looks great! Love the fabric you chose. I need to trace off that pattern and get my muslin going with that pattern already.
Posted by: yaiAnn | October 29, 2007 at 09:34 PM
Beautiful! Very well done, Toya!
Posted by: Debbie Cook | October 30, 2007 at 07:09 AM
Gorgeous! Great workmanship too!
Posted by: Pirouette | October 30, 2007 at 08:07 AM
Oh Trini!!! What a pleasure to come back from two weeks away from the blogosphere and be greeted by this darling dress!!
Posted by: Cidell | October 30, 2007 at 08:21 AM
Wonderful version of this dress! I'm going to have to make it....... along with all the other dream projects I will never have time for! Congrats on a great dress.
Posted by: Squeezylemon | October 30, 2007 at 09:21 AM
Your dress is amazing on you! I'm so glad you worked it out. Lovely!
Posted by: Leora | October 30, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Great dress and you look so good in it!
Posted by: LauraLo | October 30, 2007 at 10:37 AM
I knew that you would have great success with your dress. It looks great!
Posted by: Sheri | October 30, 2007 at 01:21 PM
I dream of wearing this dress ever since I saw it on assortednotions and missceliespants' blogs. It's gorgeous and it fits you just right. Thanks for all the directions, I tend to rush at doing things and often have bad surprises. I also like your choices of fabric for your dream project (with a preference for wildflower).
Posted by: Berry | October 30, 2007 at 06:20 PM
Very nice dress! Well worth doing a muslin so get the proper fit. :-) Love the next one you're eyeing, I like that one a lot too!
Posted by: MelissaB | October 30, 2007 at 07:22 PM
Beautiful! Great job, great dress. You look fantastic.
Posted by: Cennetta | October 30, 2007 at 07:46 PM
Your dress is just beautiful. The fit is perfect and it looks awesome on you.
Posted by: AndreaP | October 30, 2007 at 09:17 PM