Dress #16 -- Simplicity 8062 (1950s Repro)

Just something I sewed for a 2 year old cousin by request of my grandmother. I admit, I hated making it. But here it is. LOL.

Dress #15 -- McCall's 3992 (1974)

Yes, my sewing has been lacking in Colorado!! I have been hiking about 75 miles a month up and down mountains and I went on a LOT of dates this summer....lol. Now that I am living on one income and paying my own way, the sewing budget just isn't there like it used to be. I'm trying to use my stash, but I've been prioritizing my fitness right now. I've lost 15lbs here and size 14 patterns are beginning to become too large. But I squeezed in a small project recently:

Dress #14 -- Butterick P289 (2016)

I knew before I started this that is wasn't going to be boob-friendly and I knew I would never wear it -- but I had the perfect amount of this fabric left over and went for it anyway!

It looks good on my dummy, not so much on me. It wasn't a difficult pattern to put together, but here are some of the things I don't like about it:

1. No boob support. I wear 36D bra. I wear TWO bras daily and I sleep in them. I like my puppies SUPPORTED. That means, strapless bras are useless and uncomfortable to me.

2. The side tie makes my waist look thick. It's bulk I don't like.

3. It's not really wearable/practical for me. I knew this making it. It's just a "fun" garment!

It's not a bad pattern, just didn't work for me. Oh well!

Dress #13 -- Hollywood 564 (1941)

Back to the sewing board! I made a slip to start. I didn't really put a lot of effort into it because it was something I NEEDED.

New place is coming along and I'm already sewing two things!

Early 1970s "Miss Rubette" dress

I have another dress from this "Miss Rubette" brand, which is just as epic. I went to the antique shop here today and I had to buy this beauty. The hanger does her NO JUSTICE. This dress fits me perfectly, but, unfortunately, I do not have proper undergarments right now to model it. Nor do I have my dress form right now. I'm staying with a friend until I move into my permanent apartment on June 10.

The Fabric Stash

I'm in the middle of moving so what better time to go through my fabric and get a visual representation of what I have? I'm going to be my own fabric store pretty soon.

Dress #12 -- Gertie's "Cashmere Peplum Dress" (2016)

From her new book Gertie's Ultimate Dress Book and the THIRD Gertie thing I have sewn recently -- the "Cashmere Peplum Dress." Obviously not made from cashmere...

This dress uses the same basic template as my previously made Plaid Secretary Dress, also from her latest book. The only variations were cutting a V-neck into the basic bodice, the puff sleeves, and, of course, the peplum. I have about 6 yards of that polka dot fabric that has been sitting unused for a couple years now, lol. I think I intended to make a huge 1950s dress with it, but I knew it was perfect for this particular peplum-ed dress to give it more of a 1980s look (what I was going for!)

And because I used the same pattern pieces as the Plaid Secretary Dress, I didn't have any fitting issues. Size 10 fits true to size (40 bust, 32 waist). The peplum lines up perfectly. No issues with the size 10 peplum. No alterations other than not lining it (like the book calls for). If I don't have to, I don't. Just adds extra bulk IMO.

Unfortunately, I am not going to be sewing anything for about 2 months. I got my own place, but I can't move in until June 10. My mom, who I've been staying with, is moving into a proper house and May 1. I will be staying with a good friend for a month and a bit so I'll only be living off the basics! But my new place will be one big sewing room, so it's all good! Later!