BWOF 2008-02 dress 113

Here is the first item in my mini wardrobe.  Only 3 pieces and 12 days to go. .... Still even if I get nothing else done, I am really pleased with this dress!

You can see that I changed the proprtions of the skirt considerably, probably breaking all kinds of rules.  I lengthened the skirt panels by around 6 inches - the dress actually looks pretty short on the model in the magazine but I think her legs must be about 10 foot long.  Then I shortened the flounce to around half as deep as it was supposed to be - I didn't have a great deal of choice at this point as I was a bit short on fabric - those flounces really eat the yardage!  I also have not added a belt because I think it will get a bit lost anyway on this rather loud print.  

I traced a 38 at the bodice, tapering out to 42 on the hips and did a full bust adjustment on the upper bodice.  I am glad I took the time to make a muslin of the bodice, I'm really pleased with the fit.  You can see the adjustments I made here.

Toya asked if I would be lining it - I know from her blog she is a fan of nice neat linings so I am sorry to say that no, I left it unlined.  This is partly because it is a stretch cotton and I could not find a compatible lining, and also the bust section after my adjustments was very curvy (!) and I didn't want to have another layer of fabric with princess seams.  The inside is finished with all in one neck and sleeve facings which I know many people hate.  I can see why, finishing the shoulder seams on the inside neatly took a lot of pressing and hand sewing to look nice, but I got there in the end.  I used an invisible zipper and finished the top with a hook and thread bar. Here's some pictures of the inside:

Vicki was wondering why I wasn't using the co-ordinating fabrics I recently purchased for this mini wardrobe.  This print is from that little splurge, but being a bit of a novice at this wardrobe planning business I couldn't make the plans I have for the other pieces of fabric fit into the constraints of this contest.  I thought about using the denim for some jeans but I think that is a project I want to take my time with and not have to work to a deadline.  But I will definitely be working with those pieces soon and they will not be wardrobe orphans!

So onto the next 3 items! Did anyone see the cute post on the PR message boards from a lady who was worried she was a slow sewer because she only made 2 tops and a skirt in 4 hours?! Gee it takes me that long to decide what to make next - I should send her a plane ticket!