You may remember I joined in the Great Vintage Sewalong when it was announced, and I have made some postings along the way. Life kept creeping into my sewing time,and it didn't go as fast as I had expected. The dress, however, is finished!
While overall it went rather smooth, the experience was not without a few bumps in the road. This fabric is so soft and was a dream to sew. I think it is a linen blend--maybe linen and rayon. I *think* I purchased it at Pursley's in Duncanville (one of my routine shopping spots). I probably bought whatever amount was left--that's what I often do. I think I originally thought it would become a Barcelona dress, but things change. I'm sure it's been in the stash for 2-3 years.
Anyhow, I laid out the pattern pieces and, luckily, had enough fabric with a couple of larger pieces left. I merrily began cutting and marking. I cut everything except the front facing pieces, but the pattern was pinned to the fabric. When I got ready to stay stitch the front pieces in the necessary places, I discovered what I guess were ink spots that would be in line with the front buttonholes---yikes! I first tried all my tricks to remove the stain, but to no avail. So, what to do?
With careful care, I could just squeak out a new front piece. I could use the stained front as the facing.
See the spots? They look worse in person.
With the extra cutting, I then had to piece the other facing. No big deal. I don't think I took a photo showing my piecing, sorry.
Sewing the points on the front were a bit challenging for me. I used light interfacing on the points, stay stitched. The instructions had you press under the seam allowances and topstitch. I thought about trying that with the aid of steam-a-seam, but then decided to actually sew the seam as far as possible in the traditional way and then *carefully* hand baste the point (as if top stitching) and then I could make sure they looked as symetrical as possible before I top stitched with the machine. Not perfect, but done--and presentable. It's true we are our own worst critics, don't you think?
As mentioned in
this post when I lowered the bust darts, I decided to change the bodice to princess seams. I'm so happy I did that. Those darts would never have worked! I had to take some ease out of the sleeves--no way was I going to get that sleeve in as originally cut. As you can see, my waist is not as small as the models' waists. So I had to add a bit there. I added here when I first tracced the pattern. More of these details are explained in my earlier posts.
I hope to wear to church this Sunday. I'll get some photos of me modeling then. This was a fun project and I'm glad I joined. I almost made the deadline. I finished hemming and sewing the buttons March 1 (one day after the noted deadline).