Finished: BSM 08-13-138

Some time ago, I realized I didn't have enough dresses.  So I initiated the Great American Dress Project.  This dress, #138 from the August 2013 issue of Burda Style Magazine, is the first dress in that project.

Burda Style Magazine 08-13-138

Pattern Description:  This design is a basically a variation on a shirt waist dress.  It includes a self-fabric belt and a scarf.

Pattern Sizing: This dress is from Burda Style's plus size range; european 44 to 52

Construction Notes:  The most difficult part of sewing this dress was finding a fabric covered belt kit in a brick and mortar store.  I usually go to JoAnn for notions like that, but my local JoAnn did not have fabric covered belt kits.  Luckily, I was able to go to Philadelphia's little garment district, Fabric Row.   I didn't have heavy interfacing for the belt, so I used two layers of the heaviest woven interfacing I had. The result was more than adequate.

The pattern called for lace trim along the edge of the collar.  I had a specific type and color lace in mind.  Since I couldn't find exactly what I wanted, I omitted the lace.

belt loops sewn into seam

Although this dress has a belt, belt loops were not mentioned in the instructions.  I made loops out of narrow bias tubes and sewed them into the waist seam.  The belt would creep up to an unflattering position without loops.

The sleeves look like your average set in sleeves, but they are not.  They are inserted like a raglan sleeve.  You can't see it on the technical drawing, but there is a seam from the shoulder to the slit that allows the sleeve to be inserted like a raglan.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I wasn't sure how the final project would look but let me say, I really like this dress!  There really isn't anything I dislike about this pattern.

Fabric Used:  100% polyester.  I had to remember that pressing 100% polyester presents a challenge.  I needed to use a clapper for every press.  I enjoy sewing natural fibers because they are so easy to press, but as long as I used the clapper and plenty of steam, pressing really wasn't that big a deal.

Conclusion:  I really like this dress!  I want to make it again, maybe in a solid color.  I hope the rest of my Great American Dress Project goes as well.

Organizational Tip: Storing Patterns

I was inspired by Miss Celie's call for pattern organization ideas.  My pattern box was looking pretty sloppy and it was time for a pattern purge.

For many years, I loved and used Nancy's Notions Pattern Keepers to store patterns.  Pattern Keepers had a front pocket for the pattern envelope and instructions and a ziploc compartment for the pattern pieces.  Unfortunately, Pattern Keepers are no longer available.  I found a source for similar ziploc bags, but they had to be purchased in cases of 1000.  I googled and learned many sewers use comic book protectors to store patterns.  These plastic bags come in three or four sizes.  For me, the silver size (7 1/8" by 10 1/2") works best.  

They are nearly the same size as the Pattern Keepers I'm used to so I can keep my patterns in the drawer I'm currently using.  They don't have the front pocket to separate the pattern envelope and instructions, but that wasn't a deal breaker for me.  

Rather than a ziploc, these bags close with a flap.  Self sealing protectors are available, but I use removable color-coding labels to keep the flaps closed.  One of these days, maybe I'll come up with a way to use the color coding.  Or, I'll buy the self sealing protectors the next time the urge to organize hits me.  These bags are readily available at comic book stores.  (Midtown Comics is in the midst of New York's Garment District! How convenient is that?) They are also available at Amazon.  I bought three packs (100 bags per $5 pack) for $15 at a local comic book store.  Very reasonable, although I don't think I'll ever have 300 patterns.

I kept my current pattern storage set up.  A few years ago, I built a wooden box in which  I store the patterns, arranged by category.  I built the box to fit neatly on the bottom shelf of a bookcase.  I will not allow myself to have more patterns than fit in the drawer, so my pattern stash is manageable.

The comic book store sold plastic tabbed dividers that I use to separate and identify the categories.

It was a simple task to design and print the labels.  I had to cut the dividers down to size to make them fit neatly in the box. 

I photocopy the front and back of pattern envelopes and store them in a binder. My long term goal is to make catalog pages for my traced Burda Patterns.  When that is done, I will have a complete catalog of traced magazine and envelope patterns. 

So, once again, I got inspiration from a sewing blogger.  Thanks to Miss Celie and my local comic book store, I was able to update my pattern storage system.  

Wedding Dress Blues

My plan was to focus on, possibly even finish Lindsey's wedding dress before sewing anything else.  Of course, a problem has come up.

Not Lindsey's Dress

I don't know if this is an actual characteristic of lace, but the lace overlay we planned grew about two sizes while hanging in the closet.   Apparently, lace is not a stable fabric.  I made a muslin using cheap JoAnn lace and the fit was good – only minor adjustments necessary.  But after sewing the overlay in the expensive lace and hanging it in the closet for several weeks, it was suddenly huge.  It acted like a bias cut or slinky knit fabric that grows on the hanger.  I called Nancy K and we had a FaceTime consultation.  She gave me a very clever way to fix the problem.  But it would have meant picking and cutting at the lace and I just wasn't up for that.  So DD agreed to go in another direction.  Rather than a lace overlay, she'll have a lace jacket.  The jacket is underlined and lined so the lace will be more stable.  I was excited about this change because I envisioned a more embellished lace - something with a little sparkle and pizazz.  Not Liberace sparkle, but certainly more sparkle than the original lace.  My daughter, however, doesn't want a lot of sparkle or pizazz and she withdrew my carte blanche fabric selection privilege.  Now she wants to approve my lace selection.  :-(   I've sewn two jacket muslins and she will be home in February for a fitting.

BSM 09-09-138

The wedding is in April, and I'm beginning to feel some pressure.  Until our dresses are finished, I feel all my sewing has to be wedding-related and I don't want to be sidetracked with other projects I really don't need.  Yet, I'm sure I'll need a break from wedding sewing.  So that I'm not marking time until the next fitting in February, I'm going to start my MOB dress.   I selected the fabric for my dress two months ago based on the wedding colors at the time.  But, the colors have changed slightly (of course they have!) and my dress no longer coordinates with the color scheme. But I don't care anymore!  I like the fabric - I like the pattern - I making the dress!  No one is going to  be looking at me anyway - no matter how gorgeous I look!  I've made this dress for another wedding, so I'm familiar with the process.

I lost several weeks due to illness, surgery and recovery. I'm behind my self-imposed schedule. But I'm back on my feet now. I have a renewed sense of purpose and I'm ready to go!