* My muslin was a size 6 bust, size 8 waist and hip with a 1" swayback adjustment, and as you know, I felt it was a little large. So for this dress I made a new, size 4 bust/size 6 waist bodice muslin. The fit was great - as long as I didn't need to move. At all. And I do tend to move quite a bit. So I made a second muslin in a straight size 6 with 3/4" swayback adjustment, and that's the size I've landed on. Obviously, I didn't bother to muslin the skirt. I could probably go back up to the 1" swayback adjustment, but it's OK this way too.
* On the day I finished this dress, the fit was really great, but I guess I was having a "skinny day" yesterday - it felt a little loose! Can't win for losing! But I really like it, and it's good to know I can fill up my tummy while wearing it :-)
**EDIT** I forgot to mention for those of you who have yet to try this pattern: according to the envelope, my waist falls into the size 8, but this size 6 waist feels fine on me, and I abhor any tightness around my waist. Granted, the waistline seam hits a tiny bit above my natural waist. I wanted to include this to give you guys an idea of the fit. I still struggle with knowing what size to make when I'm trying a pattern for the first time, and always look for this kind of information online before making my muslin.
* While the skirt felt like A Lot Of Fabric when I was making the dress, it felt very light and floaty while wearing it yesterday - to the point of me wondering whether it was hanging correctly. And I even had a slip on underneath! I felt a tiny bit exposed. But I always seem to feel this way in my home-made dresses and skirts - I wonder why?
OK - pictures! These were all taken in the Lurie Garden next to the Art Institute.
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| posing |
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| from the back so you can see where it hits the calf |
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| action shot! |
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| and a closer look at the print |
Even though this fabric is cheap (and I mean that in both senses), I really love the print. The background is a very pale yellow-green, with feathers and roses in dark blue-grey, dark and light olive green, pink and fuchsia. When I bought it I had no idea what to do with it, but at $3 a yard, I couldn't pass it up. This dress ended up being a great match, because the structure of the bodice doesn't break up the print. There's a big rose on my right shoulder (which I put there on purpose) - but sadly, my hair is covering it up in every single picture!
I love this print too! Your dress turned out very cute and the fit looks great.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie!
DeleteSo beautiful and feminine! I like the gathered skirt quite a lot!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kelly! I think I prefer the gathered skirt with this bodice for my frame :-)
DeleteOh, it's gorgeous! And the fit looks perfect to me!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa! I am pretty happy with this fit, especially since I only had to do 1 adjustment!
DeleteThe print caught my eye instantly! You dress looks gorgeous. I really like my skirts to have an abundance of fabric. While I understand the economic benefit of yardage conscious patterns, I think dresses that don't skimp of material look much more expensive and high-end. Great job on this!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle! This was another winner from the "cotton lawns" table at Vogue this summer. I really wish I'd gotten more of it! Of course it's gone now :-(
DeleteI love this print on your Anna dress. The full skirt is a great addition, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz! Must be Anna week, eh?!
DeleteWhat gorgeous fabric. The full skirt is lovely, the dress looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sam!
Deleteokay, i knew this would be lovely, wow! what a stunner! the fit looks great, i love the fabric. even if it isn't super quality, it sure looks great here!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa! (blush) The fabric doesn't actually look cheap, but it feels pretty delicate. I think this will be a dry clean only dress.
DeleteWOW. Looks lovely and I also think I see some amazing coordinating shoes which surely deserve a close-up too.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteD'oh! I forgot to label the shoes for you! I featured them in this post a couple years ago: http://gksagenda.blogspot.com/2011/05/fancy-shoe-friday_27.html
Oooh, I absolutely love how it turned out! The skirt is probably my favorite part, it just sets it apart. I must have missed where you said you were adding a full skirt but it looks incredible in this pattern!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tasha! I have a bunch more fabrics in my stash I'm planning to do this with, so get ready for more!
DeleteYou look gorgeous! That dress looks expensive and chic. The fullness really works with the bodice. I love it. I really do.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mela! Believe it or not, I'm toying with the idea of putting a crinoline under the skirt for even more fullness!
DeleteAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! This is FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!! I love love love love love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sonja!
DeleteYou look so lovely in this pretty dress, like a modern day Scarlet O' Hara!
ReplyDeleteWow, high praise indeed! Thank you!
DeleteIt's so STUNNING :) I may be biased since I'm mad for florals and romantic silhouettes. So in love with this. On the sizing, I agree. I picked a size 8 since that was my waist measurement but it feels really loose. I am planning on pulling it in at the cb when I put the zip in by about 1/2" on each side.... do you think this will muck up the garment? Should I redo the side seams as well? :/ lol. This is so lovely, I just hope mine turns out half as well :)
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, and I didn't know how to grade from a smaller size at the bust to larger at the waist since the pattern had the length added at different parts on the pattern, does that make sense? On the back some was added at the shoulders, while the front had all the length added at the waist, or something like that. It was too confusing for me so I just stuck with the bodice in one size. How did you tackle the grading?
DeleteThank you!
DeleteWell, my grading wasn't super technical - I just drew a line starting about 1/2" under the armhole curve on the size 6 straight down to the waist at size 8. I think you'd do better with the size 6 all the way around, especially if your fabric is a little thicker like my double layer.
I don't know about taking it in only at the back - seems like it would throw off the seam lines. Can you take a little bit each at all the darts and the two side seams? It would be more work but I think the result would be better.
I think you're right, it would be better sized down over all the seams. Feeling a bit over my first version so I'll probably do it the lazy way, but if I make it again I'll be a good girl. Lol
DeleteThis is my favorite Anna! It's gorgeous with the gathered skirt and it makes your waist look tiny! How is it that you always have the perfect shoes?
ReplyDeleteThank you! I agree it makes my waist look tiny, and I was a little worried it makes my abdominal region look chubby more than I want. But I do like it.
DeleteAnd I do have a weakness for shoes . . .
Love it - the print, the full skirt, the style... It's perfect!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sabs!
DeleteYou look perfect, very elegant! This is such a beautiful, feminine, romantic dress, love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think it looks romantic too :-)
DeleteThis is so very pretty. So feminine!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jillian!
DeleteThis is so lovely ! Thanks for the tip on the waist sizing. I am exactly the same re abhorring tightness around my waist so thanks!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kirsty! I'm glad that information is useful to you - I'm trying to be more consistent about adding that kind of thing.
DeleteSuch a stunningly beautiful dress. You look gorgeous. Your husband must have been thrilled to have you on his arm!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Evie!
DeleteThis is lovely on you! Such a great fabric choice for the full skirted Anna! Sara
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sara! I thought long and hard about what this fabric should become - I'm glad it became this dress!
DeleteMan, you have a lot of patience for making multiple muslins, but it totally pays off because this dress looks awesome. I will make sure to re-read all about your sizing issues when I finally get around making this dress.
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't think I would have had that much patience if I had to muslin the entire dress! The bodice only has 3 pieces, so it wasn't a huge deal. Of course, it would have been much nicer if I'd gotten the optimal fit on the first one!
DeleteIt is a really beautiful dress - lovely print and very flattering, you've done a lovely job :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Jacq!
Delete