Discovering an old outfit that's perfect for Fall

One benefit of going through old photos is that it reminds me of clothing that has been buried in the back of the closet and ignored for no good reason.

Which was certainly the case with this outfit.

I have worn the skirt a few times, but the blouse has not had much attention in the three years since it was stitched up.

It was a wearable muslin using some cotton that I picked up at a fabric swap.  The cotton was probably a little heavy for the design and I wasn't initially expecting to make a top out of it, but I wanted to try the reproduction pattern, and there it was.

I decided not to take a wedge out of the back bodice (which is a standard alteration for me) because the back of the blouse was meant to be blousy.  Turns out, I probably should have removed some of that extra length because it is really, really blousy back there.

The other thing that I was not quite sure of once I finished the garment was that collar.  It looks rather 1970s to me.  I realize that the 70s stole the 50s silhouette, but that exaggerated collar seemed a little over the top to me.

Now that I've had some time to consider the outfit as a whole, I rather like it.

As far as the skirt goes, I was pretty sure that I could cut a skirt out with my remaining yardage so that I would have a complete outfit.  

As I was writing this post, it took me a minute to remember what pattern I used.  (I used to be really good about putting information along with fabric swatches of all of my sewing projects in a sketchbook, but I have fallen way behind on that.  I definitely need to be better about keeping that record more up to date!)  

But I am 99% sure that I used  Simplicity 4070 and added a narrow waistband to make the skirt.

The buttons were from the stash, so this outfit was one of those projects that made excellent use of materials on hand.  I love it when that happens!  And since wearing these pieces last week, and studying these photos, I have decided there is no reason to ignore the blouse.  I rather like it.  Is it something I will be making up in every color of the rainbow?  No.  But it definitely has a place in my wardrobe.

Blouse:  Made by me, Simplicity 8445
Skirt:  Made by me, Simplicity 4070
Earrings:  Banana Republic

The Underbodice

As a bit of added stability, I added an underbodice to this dress.

The first pattern that came to mind was Simplicity 4070.  The neckline was easily altered, and the fit was great right out of the envelope (which I knew would be the case because I have already made a version of the pattern).

The neckline ended up being altered a second time on the muslin to make sure this part of the dress does not show when being worn.

[A quick tip for keeping a bias cut neckline from stretching out is not to cut into the bias until you are ready to finish that area.]

Four boning channels were added, one on each princess seam, and one just inside each side seam.

I forgot to take photos of that step, but they are just strips of bias cut quilting cotton that get folded and stitched to the wrong side of the garment.

To finish the upper edge, a duplicate underbodice was cut from a cotton sateen, the two layers stitched together, and finally understitched.

This was a nice little reprieve before starting on the bodice construction!

[Disclosure:  My Fabric Designs provided me with a coupon code which was used to purchase a portion of this fabric, but the opinions posted here are my own.]

The Ten Year WIP

For all the time it took, the dress is not all that exciting.  But I have to say, I am thrilled to finally call this one done!  (My reward to myself was starting another dress.)

Simplicity 4070 has a copyright date of 2006, so this dress has been not quite complete for about ten years.  I may have another work in progress that is even older, but I cannot think of one.

And this is certainly proof that personal sewing techniques change over the years as there are quite a few things I would have done differently today.

After pulling the whole thing out of the bag it was living in, all that was left to do was cut out and construct the belt and some bits of finishing on the back.  At least I did myself the favor of keeping the pattern and fabric together all these years!

I went ahead and added a waist stay to the dress because of the invisible zipper.

The hook & eye at the back neck is a bit of a fail.  There just is not enough tension to keep it closed with normal movement.  At some point, I will replace it with a button and thread loop.  

This is a minor issue, but I do hate anything that remotely smacks of mending.  Once a garment is finished, I want it to stay finished!

The fabric is a linen blend (the flowers have some nylon or poly in them).  I still remember looking for a suitable underlining color.  Turns out a deep green made those burnout sections pop.

The linen is very lightweight so in the wind the green cotton shows at the hem.  I suppose I could shorten the length, but again, alterations are not my favorite thing to do.  Overall, I am going to call this one a success!

Dress & Belt:  Made by me, Simplicity 4070

Shoes:  Jennifer Moore

Cardigan:  Banana Republic