Sewing up "Kitty" #2

ok, so here is my starting point--the pattern that i am trying to re-size and get upgraded for production. I have adored this pattern in my collection for years, but have not made it up before, since it was a really small size. I really didn't have the motivation to up-size it for only me. So after a few days of sewing i finished the first mock-up!













Here is my dear friend, Sarah, wearing the first make up of the dress. Doesn't she look cute? Ok, she is headless. She made me do that on account of not wearing any make-up or cute hair at the moment. And, no, you are not going to be required to keep on your other clothes while wearing this dress. In the interest of being quick, and also since i knew it was going to be big, we left her clothes on. The pockets in the front were a big hit. They are so cozy and convenient. and at just the right height for resting.












Here is the dreaded zipper, oh he who shall not be named!!! After 3 tries it finally went in smoothly and looks good. I am actually really happy in how it ultimately looks. However, in mid-stream i was seriously considering the alternate instructions to put in snaps.














Ok, so here is Headless Sarah being all model-like. In trying it on i found that the fit, although fitted in the picture, actually allows for quite a bit of ease. So, for a smooth, snug fit, Sarah could wear a almost 2 sizes smaller. I was happy that the neck is a not-too-low scoop and that the shoulders and waist sit very nicely. When i get it on someone who is the right size i will have some cute shots made--hemmed with heels and heads not cut off.
My next job, after i finish a few friend projects, is to sew it up a second time in the yellow floral, with the 3/4 sleeves. I may go ahead and size it up or down one size, since the original came out so beautifully with no real adjustments needed.
thanks for looking!

I finally got to work!! Kitty, first attempt.

So, i finally got most of my other projects from the sewing box finished. Whew! I can finally devote more time to my main project/quest for this year--making up and resizing "Kitty" for a general audience of today's ladies. I had already cut the pattern out back in May, setting it aside when i knew i would start in without finishing my long list of already started projects. So i reluctantly put it away. But there it was, all cheery and smiling at me with it's cherry red and pink plaid as i started this week! And it went together very quickly and easily. I am really glad that i was able to finish it up in just a few days of sewing, about five hours or so. Not bad for a first try and having to redo a few bits here and there. In the first picture you see the bodice without any darts and a bit of the trim laying by.
Here in picture 2, you can see the skirt front all finished with the trim pinned in place ready to be tacked on. The hemming and gathering of this trim was one of the most time-consuming tasks. It really made me wish i had a serger. However, i do not, so know that i only have a plain,old machine. Because of that, i find that it is better for me to use old methods of finishing and construction, since i do not have very many gadgets.

The only part of this little scheme that was not smile-inducing was putting in the zipper. I would insert here the sonnet i composed entitled "Zipper, How i hate thee!", but i will spare you the sorrow. Just know that even if you have sewn many, many things does not mean you do not have weak areas. Mine is zippers. I will admit that i had to rip/re-sew this side zipper THREE TIMES. I will also admit that i spoke very harshly to
said zipper, and i am sure it is a tongue lashing it will not forget! After consulting my favorite sewing guide (circa 1943), i was able to do it properly. On try #3. sigh.
So, after putting in the sleeves tonight, the only thing left was to hem it! I left that alone for now, since i want to set the hem to the length best for whomever will model it later.
I did, however, have a little try-on tonight with my dear friend, Sarah, to check the fit. After taking her measurements, i found that she was actually (gasp!) smaller than i had guessed. She matches the measurements for a size 14, while the copy i have made up is a 16. Even being a size too big the dress has a lot of ease built in. I will post the pictures of the finished dress tomorrow. So happy to have finished my first attempt, and just as glad that i still love it made up! It made up to look just like the picture, which is always a risk with a pattern. cheers, Aunt Kat

40's verses 50's part 2

Well, i have some other reasons why in chosing styles from one era over another. One big one is economy. I truly love the sweeping, dreamy styles from the 50's, however, they are so much more expensive to make. Because of rationing and "making do", most patterns from the 1940's era use a smaller amount of fabric--about 3 yards--and they use every little bit. In contrast, on most post-war dresses, it takes 3 or 4 yards for the skirt alone. Which means you can forget thrifting any fabric for re-use unless it is a wedding dress.



So, in the interest of being thrifty AND fun, i would choose a swing-y 40's style. Easy to make, easy to wear, and much less expensive to sew up.
And hey, the shorter hems show off those gams--which for most of us is the slimmest part of our lower half. Much more flattering in general to show a little calf with some cute wedge heels.
And who knows? maybe someone will ask you to dance!