Boldly I am attempting to transform this vintage whenever the last time “maxi” dresses were in style (1970s?) dress into something my daughter wants to wear. After all, it’s got to be easier than making a dress from scratch, right? And this was all her idea, so the worst I can do is poor workmanship (which seems inevitable).
What I’ve done so far:
- sewn up the deep slit at the neckline
- taken in the armholes a little by adding another dart (actually, I could have said, “basted dart, taken out, rebasted, and so on and so on, but it’s done now. Both sides.)
- measured and re-measured for length. Cut off extra.
- (you can just figure for yourself that every step has had an element of trial and error to it and fill in the multiple attempts) sewn a piece of the cut off length on at the (empire) waist.
I still need to figure out a way to sew the extra fabric down to make it look like a long, structured waistband. Then pin and hem. Voila! A new dress. And just in time: hot weather is coming!
hey, I pride myself on my anti-perfectionist poor workmanship! 😀 Keeps things moving along.
I’m having trouble seeing that flap as a waistband because it doesn’t narrow. So you’re going to attempt to narrow the sides? Or have you tried it with the flap folded up – that might give you more narrowness and a cummerbund effect.
I love the print! It’s very cute.
As far as sewing the “waistband” down, as I see it you have three options:
1. Topstitch along where you sewed it down at the top, press the raw edge under at the bottom and topstitch there as well
2. Press the raw edge of the bottom of the “waistband” under, hand sew from the wrong side so that you only catch the skirt and the pressed under raw edge.
3. If you have more cutoff length to work with, and you aren’t specifically going for a “waistband” look but merely a way to define the waist, you might detatch it from the back of the dress and add more length for a wrap-around “belt” look. This would probably work best if the fabric has a little stretch, but I think it would look really good.
I’ve caught the sewing bug too this summer, I’ve made a retro-style halter dress and have another cut. 🙂 The worst part was the zipper… After two failed attempts, I gave in and stitched the zipper in by hand… only the topstitching on the lap side was done by machine. Our little secret! The best part was the cost. I got a custom fit dress for $8 + $1 for a zipper + $3 for the pattern which has four different bodice styles and will definitely be sewn again. The second dress is made of fabric from the wal mart $1.97 bin, so it will be more like $5 total 🙂 Plus my time of course, but I enjoy sewing. It’s a nice break from the computer programming I do at school all day. Sew on !
Vildy – actually the flap is folded up (although I could cut more off). I see what you mean, but when I attach it all the way around and she puts it on it will look like a waistband. Because of her figure type, the dress actually fits her plenty fitted the way it is.
I had in mind to try Emily’s #1.
Emily – I have only ever made one dress from scratch before. I didn’t have any trouble at all, which may have been related to the fabric or it may have been related to what somebody told me to do concerning the zipper: put it in place with glue stick.
And I totally agree with you about what an affordable option it is. I just have to keep up trying to sew a little bit most days. 🙂
“the zipper: put it in place with glue stick.”
never in my life would I have thought of that – wow. And I have fabric glue I use for other things, too.
I haven’t put an invisible zipper in for years and can’t find my sewing foot for it. Read a few instructions (completely contradictory to each other – sew with seam open, sew with seam closed – on the internet) but though I’ve known how to sew for close to 50 years I can’t make head or tail of it. Spatial relationships hard for me, so I give myself credit for stubborn persistence with all things sewing.
The gluestick idea is great! Haha, but my problem was mostly maneuvering the fabric under the sewing machine. I did a lapped zipper down the back of the dress like the pattern suggested, but next time I may put an invisible zipper in the side.
Pingback: The Space Between My Peers » Joseph, The Rock Opera