Monday, February 24, 2014

2 metre Challenge - Part 2 - Dress


The other day I showed you the shorts I made with this fabric, which really were the bonus project (although my 'done thing' really does seem to be making dresses and matching shorts at the moment!).


Today I am excited to show you my 'real' garment for this challenge. With some help from a print out from fashionary along with some moral (and creative) support from Mel I came up with the design for this dress.

I used my bodice block and pencil skirt patterns and 'mushed' them together at the waist. This was a little tricky as the darts were very different widths on the bodice and skirt fronts, but I managed it (although mushed is definitely the best word to use. Then I drew on my style lines, straightened the side seams of the skirt and made a quick muslin. With some more help from the fabulous Mel with the fitting of the muslin I quickly proceeded to cutting out the real thing.

  

I'm not completely convinced about the silhouette and fit of the dress. It feels a tiny bit... I'm not sure what... frumpy? when wearing it. And there are a few drag lines and wrinkles here and there that I'm not really sure how to get rid of (advice gratefully received).

 

However, for pretty much an attempt at self drafting I'm quite proud of myself! I do really like the neckline/armhole feature that I've added, and also the use of the bias on the upper back.


I couldn't work out how to successfully add pockets to the dress without risking ruining the silhouette, so I didn't try. Which I'm sure I'll curse when wearing it, but never mind.


Anyway, there's my dress for the 2m challenge. I hope you like it!

24 comments:

  1. I think you look lovely! Particularly the front of the dress and the neckline/sleeves are very flattering. Great job!

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  2. Lovely dress.. You did a great job on drafting. Well since our body is 3D a little of wrinkles does remain I suppose unless it is stiff fabric :D Pressing in opposite direction helps ? Well I agree on the pocket .. I so love to add loads of pockets to dresses :D - Diya TheHobbyHarbor

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  3. i love it - amazing drafting skills! i don't think it looks frumpy at all. it really fits perfectly. i like the way the "sleeve" piece wraps around from the back

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  4. congratulations for your drafting project!! I love the neckline, you did a great job of it!

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  5. The bodice fit is particularly good, I think. Love the bias upper back and straps...a very cool effect.

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  6. Wow, this is a lovely dress...not frumpy at all! And the fit is pretty perfect, unless I'm missing something!? I absolutely adore the sleeve/neckline detail!

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  7. Your dress is lovely and I agree, nit frumpy at all!

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  8. Tiny is good. You're not frumpy. Frumpy is now where near as sleek as your dress:)

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  9. Definitely not frumpy at all. Great fit and design. Very nice indeed. Perhaps some accessorising would make you feel less frumpy. A great belt or a statement necklace (perhaps some shoes :P) would make a huge difference to how you feel in it.
    I really like it.

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  10. Beautiful!! Couldn't believe that you drafted/designed this dress yourself, looks awesome! I like it alot!!

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  11. I think you look awesome! Not frumpy at all. I agree with Lizzy about adding a belt or necklace to add a pop of colour. It'll make all the difference!

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  12. I think you're being very hard on yourself! This is an amazing achievement in drafting, I'm so impressed. And I'm such a fan of playing around with the grainline of gingham- love the effect :)

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  13. This, my dear, is fantastic! I love the shoulders/sleeves, such a great shape! And, the dress is perfect in the gingham checks, all the darts really make the checks 'dance'. I would be so proud of myself if I self drafted this, seriously!

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  14. The fit is terrific, possibly you are not used to examining yourself in closely fitting clothing, from behind. The perfect antidote to feeling frumpy is to feel fabulous. Maybe some new lingerie is the next sew?

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  15. This dress is lovely! And definitely not frumpy at all - it's very sleek and sophisticated. And I love what you've done with the neckline. X

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  16. Absolutely impressed by its perfection. I was really impressed by the fine creativity and artistry. I am really looking forward to the coming occasion when I am going to wear it.
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  17. Frumpy? YOU BE CRAZY! That dress is amazing, and the use of the bias and the shoulders....it's a masterpiece.
    This dress is beautifully flattering on you :)

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  18. There's no frumpiness about this at all! It looks fabulous!! I love the bias and the shaping on the upper back and front shoulders.

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  19. This is one great fitting dress - good work!

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  20. Absolutely love it! Very well fitted dress!

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  21. I'm not sure how you got frumpy out of that dress because all I could thing was WOW!

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  22. Ay! Finally I catch up on a little blog reading and this very dress pops up onto my screen :) It's lovely. Although I don't think you can hardly say I contributed in the creative realm... unless that really means I was just eating your ice cream :P
    Do you really feel a tad on the frumpy side when wearing this? It's bizarre how sometimes a garment can make us feel a certain way, but I can guarantee it certainly doesn't look it. Professional is more a word I'd use. Pair it with a cardi and some sensible heels and you'll be on (corporate) fire :)

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  23. I love everything about the draft. Well done on the drafting - you've nailed the fit perfectly.

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Comments make me smile :)

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