New Clothing Projects Finally!

Without Belt - quite like

 We know the story up to now - when it was still winter I had the brilliant idea to make (YES, MAKE) some summer clothes.  Got patterns, everything cut out and then the "fun" started.  Oh my goodness!!!! This was a New Look pattern - don't use them EVER.  To say it was a "small cut" pattern does not cover it.  Made it in Sz. 12 -(for hips) should have made it in size 14. I ended up taking out the long shaping darts in the back and it still was too tight and then I got mad when I realized about the HUGE gap at the back neck and just resewed just one side of the zip instead of ripping the whole thing out and starting again.  This I am revealing to a numbered two of you who will read this.  I plan to wear my hair tied low at the back of my neck, hanging down and all will be hidden quite nicely.  That complaining all said, I still LOVE THE FABRIC and am not totally dismayed about the hip fit. If the seams are 1/4", that would be a stretch.   I found the perfect belt which I think is the way I shall wear the dress and wear this thing I will!

Wonky Zipper - Oh brother!

Found THE perfect belt, reddy brown

The saga of the neckline.  The whole upper back, front neckline was a nightmare.  The pattern showed a neckline more or less straight across the front.  No sirree - finished it and it gaped so hugely in the front it was a joke. By this time I was fit to be tied.  Sewed two pleats in the front neckline - problem solved and hid that mess with this adorable bow!  Genius I think.  The bow makes the whole dress.

With Belt - think this wins

And, finally, the attached bow not visible above

So here I am with said bow - had to make sure it was visible.  I will NOT be using New Look patterns ever again - IF I do another dress EVER, it will be with good old Simplicity or McCalls and I am basting every single seam before sewing to check the fit.  Lessons learned for sure.  And on to the next little project...