Thursday, June 21, 2007

My Super Sweet Size 16


I finished it a couple of weeks ago, but it was cool enough this morning that I could put it on and go outside for pictures: my new dress.

Pattern: Simplicity 4116 (view B)
Size: 16
Fabric: Cool Cords (21 wale corduroy) by Robert Kaufman


You may be able to see from the full-length shot (click to embiggen) that those warnings about nap are very, very serious. (The fabric in the skirt feels smooth when I run my hand downward, and the top is the opposite; hence, the two parts don't appear to be the same shade of black. Oops.)

I made the size 16 with a size 18 waist, based on my measurements, but in the end I put small darts at the waist (front and back) to give the illusion that I actually have a waist. So perhaps I could have just used the size-16 pattern pieces as is.

It's cute, isn't it? To show it in "action," I twirled around and around until I thought I'd fall down, but Bill only took one twirling photo, in which it looks like I'm not twirling but just standing there with the wind blowing up my skirt or something. But I was twirling! I was!


I might use this pattern again -- I've got my eye on views C and D (sleeveless), and I'd use a lighter-weight fabric. The corduroy will be good for cooler weather, but not for summer. Plus it was a little on the thick/stiff side for the cap sleeves and the collar; maybe I should have used just a light black cotton for the facings, to cut down on bulk around the neck. But considering that this is the first dress I've sewn since my junior prom (and my mom helped me with that one), I'm pleased.

61 comments:

Montreal Mama said...

OH MY GOD, I LOVE CHERRIES. So much I have a cherries Tattoo... did you see my two new tats?

Maggie said...

That's fabulous, with your MJs and a black cardi. I love it. :)

Anonymous said...

oh, it's awesome. i love it (fabric too... and corduroy. who doesn't love corduroy?) congrats!

Anonymous said...

it's adorable!! great job.

Anonymous said...

This is quite excellent. The collar and sleeves are PERFECT. Huzzah!

Anonymous said...

LOVE IT. Great job! I have had that pattern and fabric for it for over a year. I must start now. (P.S. How much do I still love Ravelry? I discovered this post because I saw that your photo had changed and I knew that fabric had to be your dress.)

Anonymous said...

You can't tell there is a color difference due to nap in your photos (at least, I can't), so it must be subtle. I wouldn't worry about it. Looks great!

merel said...

well done!! it's lovely :)

amanda said...

Oh, it's fanTAStic! And you're brilliant for sewing it!

Faith said...

Great job! It looks fantastic- the fit, the pattern. Ye-haw.

Octopus Knits said...

Very nice!

jill said...

Beautiful job! I love the fabric too. Can't wait to see what you come up with next.

Bertha said...

Oh my gosh, that turned out SO CUTE! It looks so great on you!

Jessica said...

Very sweet. You did a fantastic job with it.

Anonymous said...

That is the sweetest dress I've seen in a long time! Wonderful!

miss ewe said...

Al, that is SOOOOO cute! Great job!

PCR said...

It's adorable! And, the fit looks great.

Anonymous said...

That piping is perfect! Is it hard to do? Sweet!

La Cabeza Grande said...

I adore your Sweet 16! From where I sit, you've done a flawless job with this awfully cute frock!

Definitely make another one.

Sarah said...

That's so cute. I keep thinking about sewing up a dress or too. I think you should definitely make another one of these.

Cari said...

so damn cute!

Robin said...

Adorable!

Debi said...

It's REALLY cute especially given my nickname (cherryripegirl)! I say make a few more :)

Anonymous said...

It's fantastic, and it looks gorgeous on you. I love the fabric! And the MJs are the perfect shoe for it.

Anonymous said...

dude. everything about it rocks. the fabric, the style, the smile, the twirl. love it.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. Fall can't come quickly enough -- a perfect back-to-school dress. :)

Jenn said...

Love it!

Anonymous said...

lovely work lady! :)

Anonymous said...

You look SO great in that. Makes me want to sew. Kind of. I always WANT to sew, but when it comes to getting the pattern out and really starting.... I flag.

Veronique said...

Ooh, how cute! I love the collar and all that piping. Hope you twirl all day :)

Pink said...

Wow! That is so cute...

I'm a newbie here on your blog, I found you by followng various links...who remembers how you get anywhere in cyberspace? Anyway, just wanted to say I enjoyed reading your blog and I'm jealous of your thrifty finds.

lomester said...

That is adorable! you looks so cute and twirly in it!

pamela wynne said...

OMG, I love it!! And it's so cute in the cherries fabric, with the red piping, and I can't even see the nap/color difference... [Rushes off to find pattern.]

lori said...

very cute! i do have to agree that nap is a bit of a bugger. tricky!

Anonymous said...

Oh, my gosh - LOVE it! Everything about it. And the mary janes too, of course :)

Anonymous said...

Not exactly a lurker; I think I have commented once or twice before but I'm rather a quiet sort. Anyway, I hope you are enjoying your summer as much as I am enjoying your entries of late. You make very beautiful things and I always admire thrift, capability and a curious mind.

the girl with the bamboo sticks said...

I love it! It is so cute and gives you an hour glass figure. I'm slowly learning how to sew (I know how to knit and make jewelry) and it is lovely to see the types of items you create and what I have to look forward to!

Kat said...

I love the little cherries. I got a soft spot for cherry print fabrics, I cannot resist them. Great job!

Anonymous said...

I


LOVE


IT!!!!

Very cute!
big geek beth

meg said...

freaking love it!

Anonymous said...

fab-u-lous.

you look amazing. wonderful. the dress is *perfect*

excellent job!

Ijust got a sewing machine from my boy for my graduation. i'm just not sure what to do with it, but this would be a great start. :) who am i kidding? i would totally need a warm up!

Kim said...

It is so cute! It reminds me of the Mary Engelbreit cartoon with the girl - I think the saying is "Life is just a chair of bowlies".

Anonymous said...

Very cute! Love the fabric and the design suits you.

Anonymous said...

WOW! I lvoe it and it looks smashing on you. So jealous of your mad sewing skillz.

Karine said...

I like a lot!

middlevillage said...

awesome, awesome, awesome!

i made a dress once, it was disastrous... i didn't have the patience.

Ellen said...

That dress, and you, couldn't be cuter!

Dísa said...

Your dress is awesome cute!

Dísa said...

Your dress is awesome cute!

goodkarma said...

So sweetly retro! It looks like a good fit and those shoes are perfect for the outfit.

Chris said...

I love it! You look absolutely adorable in it, too.

Romi said...

Very cute!!!

Anonymous said...

Your dress is absolutely adorable! Nice work!!

Lick My Sticks said...

Beautiful!

Size 16? You look like about a size 6. I call shenanigans.

Unknown said...

I found your blog by listening to Stash and Burn. I've loved looking through your projects! Great dress, it's inspiring me to pull my sewing machine off the closet shelf.

kathyeffingjacobs said...

So cute! I love that collar, especially.

Anonymous said...

That is adorable, the fabric looks great with that style of dress and you look great in it.
Love your shoes too!

Fifers said...

That is c-u-t-e! You've inspired me to sew... I also haven't done it since high school and without mom.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, your dress is SO cute! Great job! I really like the shape of the pattern and the fabric you picked is just right for the pattern. :-)

kelli ann & lorie said...

such a great job. so cute! (sorry to be so unimaginative as to just echo the 'cute,' but cute it is. sweet!!)

Mandy said...

Eeek! I squeal like a 5-year-old-girl! Too cute for coherent words.