Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Vogue 1250 and the fabric from hell.

I started off in March with a simple dress that I had made before, as I knew the month would be busy. I had a trip to Melbourne planned for the end of the month but the dress wasn't finished so it went with me. I'm sure it enjoyed the plane trip but somehow, in between catching up with my sister, seeing her new grandson and celebrating her birthday, the dress languished in my case and came back home in the same unfinished state.

When I finally settled down to sew it I found I had the fabric from hell. Every time I stitched it, it slipped and stretched and skewed all over the place. This required a lot of work with my favourite tool the seam ripper. Not that any ripping was being done. Tiny zigzag in fabric that snagged and tried to run with each unpicked stitch needed very careful handling. Added to that black thread on the black roses made it almost impossible to see the stitches in places.



Eventually the thing was done and I'm very happy with the finished result.

I really like this pattern. I made it two years or so ago and I don't recall any problems with the pattern or the fabric at the time. It goes together easily and although I did find it was a bit too long in the bodice then, this time I took a tuck front and back which solved the problem.

The previous dress, above, enjoyed several dinners aboard ship on our last cruise so I'm expecting both of them to accompany me in July when we go cruising again.

Now to tackle my April challenge which is a pair of jeans. I'm using the Jalie 2908 which has been made by just about every sewer in the blogosphere and I'm hoping it will be kind to me. To be on the safe side I'm using some yellow stretch drill which I purchased from Spotlight a couple of years ago for the grand sum of $3 per metre.

I might be a year behind the trend for coloured jeans but they are not going to be expensive.

Cheers everyone.

18 comments:

  1. Even though you had a lot of trouble with it, the black & white dress turned out great! It looks really good on you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well done for persevering! The dress looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your dresses both are lovely. Good job persevering and getting the second one done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks BeaJay. Now I'm wondering why I didn't use my walking foot!!

      Delete
  4. Oh I do not envy you this sewing journey - black on black, slippery, unpicking. I'm glad you kept going though - this is a lovely dress, and just right for the next cruise. The first was also beautiful. Good luck with the Jalie's- it will be interesting to see how well they sit and fit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sarah Liz. Nothing I like more than a challenge.

      Delete
  5. I like your post title "the fabric from hell" ehehehe..... you made me laugh :)
    Your hard work has paid off, the dress turn out beautifully and the fabric draped nicely. Good luck on the next challenge, Kathy!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great dress. Congrats on such a fantastic finish... even if it was a pain. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your dress is gorgeous .. Sorry the fabric was such a pain.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey! I finally found your blog! Beautiful dress - but sorry the fabric was such a pain - but good on you for persevering. What kind of fabric was it? (so I can avoid it in the future) :P Looking forward to seeing your jeans too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kat. Thanks for your comment. Spotlight called the fabric Ricocco printed poly knit. It's very stretchy, too about 50% . Knowing Spotlight it will probably never turn up again, so you'll be safe :)

      Delete
  9. That pattern works beautifully for you; both dresses are very elegant. I love that black and white print :)

    ReplyDelete