7.22.2012

a kooky gabby

So this is what my "wearable muslin" was for... 



This is the Gabby Dress again with some more adjustments.  But first, how about this crazy fabric?  I got at a yard sale, I think for about $5.  I should tell you that I intentionally placed the little people upside down; in making this dress I wanted to balance some kookiness and some style and I really didn't want a big old doll on my belly like a care bear or something.



Being impatient as usual, I sewed this up the same way as the "muslin" and when I tried it on, found it to be too loose and baggy, forgetting this is how the muslin fit.  Since I was trying to balance kookiness and something else, I wanted this to be a little more of a fitted A-line dress.  So I narrowed the sides some more and cut down the back and added a zipper so that I could still pull it over my head.


I loosely used this tutorial after seeing these very cool exposed zippers at Closet Case Files, particularly on this amazing dress.  Again, I had some colorful zippers that might have looked cool, but somehow wanted to keep this from going too kooky, so you know, exposed zipper in a neutral color = balance?

I mentioned before that I want to start challenging myself; this is not the big challenge, but I was trying to improve my quality on simpler things.  I am not a gentle person and I pull and tug a lot, so I appreciated when this pattern advised being gentle when sewing the neck binding, and you know what?  I think it's my best one yet.

I'm thinking of posting a big "GENTLE" sign above my sewing machine.  But maybe in a gentle font.



9 comments:

  1. I am so in love with this dress! I think you made all the right choices.

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  2. Heatherlou222.7.12

    First of all, this is stinkin' cute. I really love that you flipped the fabric upside down. Quirky in the best possible sense of the word. I'm with you on the impatient tip - I've also been focusing on slowing down and trying to make better quality work. I started using muslins recently, but only on tricky garments that I suspect I'm going to have fit issues with (anything really fitted basically). Especially if I'm doing pattern modifications - they are invaluable. Sometimes just doing the tricky portion in muslin makes it feel less "time wastey". Or choosing a nice fabric and making two dresses! (as I notice you did here). Secondly, thank you for the super kind comments. Really, truly appreciated.

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  3. Cirque Du Bebe23.7.12

    This is beyond amazing! What a fabric find, and I love all the details you've added.

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  4. smunch23.7.12

    Wow, thank you so much! You know, you are one of the sewists I am talking about that has made me inspired to push myself - your mint dress is AMAZING, and I think I read that you have not been sewing all that long? I've been sewing on and off for years and it is time. Thanks for inspiring me!

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  5. smunch23.7.12

    Thank you! I thought you would appreciate this fabric ;) You have amazing finds too.

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  6. smunch23.7.12

    jesse.anne.o has left a new comment on your post "a kooky gabby":

    I am so in love with this dress! I think you made all the right choices.
    Jesse.anne.o - I have no idea where this comment is, it was emailed to me but did not show up in Disqus for some reason! But I wanted to respond - thank you! Can I just tell you that I thought of you when I tried this on?! This fabric seems like your style - I wish I had more fabric so I could make you one too! I appreciate your comments.

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  7. That fabric is vintage Marimekko, I have something very similar my mom made into a bed spread when I was younger. What a great fabric find and a really, really fabulous dress!

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  8. smunch4.8.12

    No WAY! If I had known that I probably would have been too chicken to cut into it. Wow. Thanks for letting me know and thanks for your compliments!

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  9. It is so strange that the comment resurfaced elsewhere. Weird Disqus!

    I am flattered that you had that association!

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