But I think you can at least see how the dress fits - especially across the back, which is my most challenging area.
Remember yesterday when I told you all about how the neckline gapes because of my lack of reinforcement? You can see it in the top picture. It's not horrible, but it would be pretty easy to fix in the next version.
I also said that I might take a bit of width out of my left high hip also. The need to do so became even more evident once I put on these tights. Interesting . . . You can see the little bulge of excess fabric I'm pointing at in the picture below. I think I'll go ahead and fix this, removing the same amount I did on the right hip and with the same curve.
I could even take a half inch or so more out of both sides from the waist down, and may do so. But I wore this dress all day, walking through the snow to and from the museum (a total of about 2.5 miles) and felt nice and comfy. Since I'm likely to wear this dress always with a cardi, I might just leave it. I can take long strides in this dress!
This is not the cardi I wore today - it doesn't fit under my coat! But since I'd mentioned that the dress goes nicely with my new sweater coat, I popped it on. This is the best picture we could get! Hubby cracks me up - which is one of his best qualities :-)
I think I am likely to make the necessary adjustments and make this dress again. I'm very happy with the fit in the bodice - I think it's just about perfect. The skirt is easily fixed. I was surprised at how comfy and easy to wear this dress is - it's my first sheath dress in about 20 years, and the RTW ones I had in my younger (slightly less curvy) days never fit this well so they were never as comfortable.
And gosh - having a solid-colored dress really opens up options of which sweater or jacket to wear with it! Who knew?! (Oh yeah - just about everyone but me, LOL!) I've been daydreaming of reworking the neckline into a boat neck . . .
So I think that wraps up all the things I wanted to say about the fit class. Now to continue putting it into action!
the fit looks great on this dress! i would imagine that the ease in the skirt makes an asymmetrical hip fit unnecessary. though, i also imagine it's only noticeable when you're standing still and pointing at the excess fabric... haha! and yay for solid colored dresses! it does look great with your new sweater.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa! I don't know - I think the difference between the two hips is even more noticeable in a fitted style like this. The hip thing is something that's bothered me for years - even before I got into sewing, I would notice it on my RTW clothes (pants especially). I always thought they'd been made wrong! It was a light bulb moment when I did the original body map and discovered that it was all my fault, LOL!
DeleteA very practical dress to have and the fit is great, especially at the back. The excess ease at the hips is only noticeable because you point at it :) The combo with the coat is excellent! Looking at your pictures, now I think I'm in urgent need of a neutral colored sheath dress!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carmela! Ooooh, a neutral sheath would look great on you, and go with so many of your gorgeous knits!
DeleteReally like this! It's particularly lovely paired with Holt! I'd say that the fit across the back looks perfect (it's my most challenging area as well) and while you could definitely take it in at the hips, it still looks great as is. Looks like it will serve as a great wardrobe basic.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sara! I think it will also. I've been daydreaming about different variations I could make . . . sad thing is, I have almost no solid colors in my stash! Uh oh!
DeleteThis fits you so well Gail. Love the colour too, its a good one for pairing with different sweaters etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sam! I think this is your color, right? I wore it with my Kim Hargreaves Evie sweater yesterday and felt so cozy!
DeleteYes, this is definitely my colour!
DeleteWhat a great little dress ~ so easy to dress up or down, which is exactly what we all want ... J
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judith! I agree - I'm gravitating more and more to these simpler styles for just that reason.
DeleteLooking good my friend! I like the fact that after being very against this pattern you are so quickly thinking of it as a good blank canvas... oh, the possibilities for variations! And I am also so super impressed that you walked around during a snowstorm in a dress (brrr on the legs!) but not in those fabulous shoes, I hope :)
ReplyDeleteHehehe - you were right, I was wrong! I see its value now!
DeleteIt really wasn't a snow storm - that's just how the weather people called it. It was snowing lightly all day, and it was pretty warm, about 30 degrees. And no - not in those 4" heels!! The snow boots came out for sure!
Wow, the fit is really fantastic! The color is nice and versatile too - a great base for all your beautiful knits!
ReplyDeleteThe fit is immaculate Gail, I don't think you need to worry about the excess fabric in the skirt, I would not have noticed if you hadn't pointed it out! The clean lines look great on you and it's a brilliant basic to accessorise!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sabs! I do think the extra ease on the bottom half makes me look bigger there than I really am - and none of us want that! Still, since I'll never be wearing this on its own, I may just fix that issue on the next go-round. I'm dreaming of a linen version for summer . . . ah, summer! I miss you!!
DeleteThe dress fits you perfectly! And you hardly notice that the skirt is a bit big - as long as you don't point with your finger on it, hihi. I also attended a Palmer Pletsch fitting class last spring in London and I am so glad I did! The instructor pointed out quite a few fitting issues and I am still using the fitted bodice pattern to compare to when tissue fitting! I am looking forward to read about your future experiences :)
ReplyDeleteHehehe, thanks Daniela! So interesting that you took the class too, and benefited so much from it! I have been thinking that I will also be getting out the sloper to compare when working up new patterns. I may even end up fusing it onto interfacing to keep it intact.
DeleteYou look warm and chic!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stef!
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