Friday 4 September 2015

Make It (not quite) Perfect - Skippy Dress

A couple of months ago I made myself another Skippy dress. This time I wanted long sleeves and the cowl neck option to make it a wearable winter dress.

But I didn't end up making the wearable dress I'd hoped for. My mistake was using a thick ponte and not considering the size. I just made the same as my first one, and due to the fabric's lack of stretch it's really a size too small....


If I'd got it right here's what I think I should have done - feel free to chime in if you know about fitting, 'cause I sure don't.

I think the shoulder size is good. I need a little bit more around the bust and upper back. Probably not an FBA, but just a half size bigger below the armscyes. The back strains the same amount as the front, so I get those bra strap lines that I abhor.

The waist is OK most days, although there are always those days when a close fitting garment just can't be tolerated and then this one definitely stays in the closet.

Finally, I definitely need a size bigger in the hips and upper thighs.



The PDF patterns that I've taped together are stored rolled up in tubes and there are quite a few patterns per tube. I discovered that I hadn't traced the long sleeve option and I couldn't be arsed trying to find the pattern and then get it to lay flat, so I reached for my beloved Metro T sleeve.

I created my own long sleeve using the top part of the Skippy dress, tapered to the Metro T width and then used the Metro T length. If there's one thing I got right with this dress it's the sleeve length. I might not have bought this dress if I'd found it in a shop due to the tightness, but I would have been delighted with the sleeve length and I would have wanted the rest of it to fit better.

I kind of wish I'd used the top half of the Metro T sleeve as well as I'm not really liking the fullness of the sleeve cap. It's cute and puffy in the short sleeve version, and looks great in a summer dress. But I think for a winter dress a flatter sleeve cap would have been better.

I'm not quite ready to chop it up and repurpose the fabric yet. If I was to forgo a few muffins and drop a kilo or two I think I could really like it. It can hang in the closet for a while, and maybe come out on those days when I'm feeling hot-mama enough for something tight and clingy. We'll see.


Pattern: Make It Perfect Skippy dress
Size: L
Alterations: Sleeve mash up with the Liesl & Co Metro T
Fabric: Spotlight Ponte
New Boots: I finally accepted that the long, black boots I bought in Venice in 2001 are at the end of their life. These new ones are from the Luisa outlet. I think when you go almost fifteen years between boots it's OK to spend a bit. Right?!

23 comments:

  1. Personally, I don't think it's a fail at all. I would give some thought to just lopping off the skirt portion and keeping it as a top.

    Don't forego the muffins - life is too short!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Janice. I don't think it's quite a fail which is why I'm not chucking it out. I just wish I'd sewn a slightly narrower seam allowance.
      I would never forgo muffin altogether, maybe just a less frequent indulgence!

      Delete
  2. This is a great dress!!! It's a shame it's just a hair too small. I was wondering if you could cut it off at the hip to make a cute sweatshirt, but you're saying it too tight everywhere ... darn!!! Don't stop eating muffins - give it away to a friend who it fits and be done with it. Ain't nobody needs crap that doesn't fit in the closet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Inder. It's not giving me the blues keeping it for a bit. If it doesn't get worn next autumn/winter then it can go find a new home.
      happy to count you in the pro muffin camp too!

      Delete
  3. Chiming in to agree with saying yes to eating muffins & the possibility of it becoming just a top...

    Love the colour on you & the boots are ace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think as a top only the cowl might be a bit much. I am considering buying more fabric and cutting a more generous skirt... I really like the colour too hence I'm not quite prepared to give up on it altogether. Thanks for the boot love.
      Another vote for muffins - I love my blog readers! :)

      Delete
  4. Don't skip on muffins, life is way too short.
    If it bugs you, give it away and make another.
    That last photo is bee-you-ti-ful

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't fear, I'm not one to deny myself anything I want. Be it a muffin or a pricey pair of boots!
      I'm thinking if I make another T-shirt dress like this I might just add a self drafted skirt to the bottom of the Metro T. Then I know it will fit.
      Thanks for the compliment on the photo. This is the first time I've taken the tripod out in public (albeit the back street) and done a self photo shoot. Just hoping no-one tried to drive past... the things we do for blogging, hey!

      Delete
  5. I agree that you could try wearing it as a top rather than a dress. And definitely don't skip the muffins! It's how I justify being able to eat cake at breakfast!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would be nice if that would work, but I doubt it. Toni of Make It Perfect has made some great sweater versions, but I fear this one would still be a bit like wearing a wetsuit.
      I used to sometimes have a muffin before breakfast, but that was after riding for 3hours in the pre-dawn. I certainly couldn't justify that now! Still, you go for it!

      Delete
  6. I agree with everyone else. Just make a new one (sewing fails can really get me down but I'm trying hard to just shrug it off) Life's too short to wear stuff you're not comfortable in. Is it possible it will stretch out some? At least you got dome really nice photos in it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jennifer. I'm pretty good at shrugging and moving on when it comes to sewing for me. I don't expect success so I don't get down when I have a fail. I am yet to make a muslin of something, work on it and then really get it right without relying on luck. If that level of effort leads to a fail I'll be cross for sure! :)

      Delete
  7. It looks great on the pictures, but I assume you can't move in it comfortably apparently

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Miranda. Oh, it's comfortable alright. It's just that as I relax, slouch around and be comfortable in it, it becomes less and less flattering! :)
      It's fine if I wear shapewear type undergarments, but that's not really the point of an everyday knit dress now is it?!
      I want comfortable, and flattering and muffins damn it!

      Delete
  8. Yeah I agree with others that it looks a smidge tight, but not bad at all! Also agree that maybe chopping off the skirt portion might give you a garment you reach for much more often. Love that color on you, and love these photos! I know you're heading into spring but this makes me excited for fall. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kristin. The photos make the skirt portion look worse than it probably is, and the top half better. I mean that first photo? It almost looks like my arse is on back to front! :)
      I seriously have thunder thighs (which I don't really mind that much as I can do some impressive squats and deadlifts in the gym) and I need to remember that a fuller skirt suits me better because of it!
      I like the colour too. There might be enough left over for a Maritime knit top and then I'd give up on this one for sure.
      I like winter dressing so much more than summer. Tights and boots and layers and coats. It's much better than flopping about all sweaty in barely any clothes. Although there are some welcome signs of spring around, and while I like winter clothes I don't like being cold!

      Delete
  9. I don't know how the dress is constructed, but can you remove waistband and bottom and cut it out again? This time with a bit more flare to the skirt? Do you have enough fabric for that? It looks like the top part fits you well and it's a beautiful color.

    I always figure, if the options are between throwing it out and hacking it up in the hopes of it working, I go for the scissors. Nothing to lose!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That would be easy to do Nicole. or even leave the waistband and gather a wider skirt to it (losing a quarter inch of waistband cause I ain't unpicking an overlocked seam).
      I think I'd have to be happier with the fit across the chest and back first to be bothered changing the skirt though.
      I always do a big participation road ride in january that involves about 140km of climbing and really I need to be quite a bit lighter to make it a fun day out. I'll work on that and leave the dress as is!

      Delete
  10. So weird - I was nearly certain I commented on this already. I think you are being way to hard on yourself - though your comment to Kristin made me laugh!). It's cute and that color is perfect on you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Rachel. I do love the colour too. It's nice to be able to look at a photo of yourself, laugh and think "wow, it looks like my arse is on backwards" and then not really care because the intention is not to win blogger-mom-model-of-the-year but to document what I make, thunder thighs and all!

      Delete
  11. I have to say that I opened up the post and looked at the photo before reading the title and thought it was one of the nicest things you've ever worn. My vote is to just wear it and look great! I love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! there are days when I feel rock star enough to take your advice and just wear it, and days when I don't quite. Funny that isn't it.

      Delete
  12. I hope you make another one of these Shelley, the style suits you. It looks very warm and snuggly with the cowl neck.

    ReplyDelete

I get a real kick out of knowing you've visited the blog and love to read comments. Thanks.