It's my first time swinging into Jungle January, so I thought I'd better go all out and sparkle. I even had a glittering event to which I could wear my new disco leopard ensemble - dinner with some lovely Perth sewers last Sunday. Eagle-eyed Sue spotted that this was the Inari tee pattern before she'd even got out of her car. That girl knows her patterns!
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| Pretty Grievances - Jungle January |
I have experimented with this pattern in a ponte knit and a woven (unblogged). The woven version was a bit tight across the shoulders, but the ponte one was a pretty good fit. This knit fabric was lighter than the ponte and there are some drag lines at the front, which probably indicate that I need to do a FBA (full bust adjustment) for next time.
Other than that, I'm really pleased with the dress. It was simple to make, so I took my time and did the best job I could. I made it according to the pattern, omitted the sleeve cuffs and the neckline facings and lowered the neckline. I used a strip of the fabric inside out to make a very small, almost piping-like, neckline band with a double line of topstitching. The sleeves are finished on my new Cover Stitch machine (a Bernette 009DCC) that I bought a couple of months ago for $100 on Gumtree.
I'm still experimenting with the Cover Stitch machine as it certainly behaves better under certain conditions, but it gives a great finish to hems.
The back is slightly longer in this pattern, which is a nice feature.
I am very happy with this dress. I think I get away with the wild fabric by balancing it with the casual t-shirt dress pattern. I hope so anyway! It is super comfortable and hides the effects of several courses of Japanese food admirably.
And if all else fails, I can say I'm a mermaid.
16 comments:
And matching shoes! Very nice. The neckline is perfect. And I may be bringing projects around for you to keep testing your cover stitch machine!
I had bernette 009DC secondhand coverstitch machine for a while and found it struggled going over seams. After I passed the machine onto my sister, I read somewhere that it works better with the ELX705 needles. I bought her a packet but I don't think that she has tried them. Just thought I would mention it in case it helps you.
Love the sparkle...channeling you inner mermaid I am sure :)
Anytime Bronwyn. Bring 'em on!
That is very interesting Katherine. Mine struggles at the beginning of the hem and over seams. In between it works really nicely. I will look into those needles and see if they help. Thank you!
Another lovely version of this pattern. I am tempted to buy it myself. Your fabric choice works very well and those shoes are the perfect accessory. Glad to see you joining in with Jungle January too...it's a lot of fun.
Love this dress. When I saw you getting out of the car I thought you had a sequinned dress on, this fabric is very effective at night. Your whole outfit is very coordinated. Another triumph.
Very very cool fabric. At first glance, I thought it was sequinned too.
this is great! I adore the fabric, and the tee dress is the perfect palette. Winner!
Super fabric! I'll have to revisit this pattern, it didn't work out too well for me first time around. I have to say, I love your neckline finish - I've used something similar on sweatshirt cuffs, I think it adds a really nice finishing touch!
Looks very stylish and casual at the same time. Neckline is clever.
Love it. The drape looks perfect for this pattern and it looks really classy.
Very beautiful! Simple yet flashy! ��
Jungle January has left me cold so far as I never find the right fabric. I hate leopard prints with that gold/warm sparkle they inevitably have but this is an amazing antidote as I love silver and... well I really do like leopards. A great find and a perfect match to pattern. The neckline 'piping' is very clever and looks totally professional. And it shows off your fantastic figure and lovely colouring (again, anything fish-like on anyone less svelte invites inevitable whale comparisons). You get my vote!
Beautiful dress Megan - both the style and the fabric!
A couple of tips for cover hemming. I have the Janome 2000, and I found a tip I saw on Youtube helps a lot, which is to make a little snip into the seam allowance, right where the hem will fold, perpendicular to the hem, then fold the seam allowances inside the hem opposite each other. That flattens out the seam a lot, so the machine rides over it much better.
To start at an open edge, put a little piece of scrap fabric under the foot first, and start sewing on it, then butt your garment right against the edge to continue. You can snip the scrap off quite safely when you are done, since the beginning stitches of a coverhem don't unravel.
For beginning in the middle of a round, start a little way either side of the side seam, not directly on it, and take a few turns of the wheel by hand first to get started, then start to sew.
Thank you for the tips Dorothy. You have discussed exactly the areas where I was having difficulties. I will be trying these for sure!
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