Dresses! More Model Garments

I make a lot of model garments for classes I teach at Haberman Fabrics. My next set of classes starting in May will teach how to sew a variety of dresses. They include a vintage style dress from Vogue, a simple knit shift dress, and a wrap dress. 

Though quite time consuming making the dresses is fun and instructive. By constructing each garment I am able to know first hand all the details involved in making them, but more importantly, the process allows me to know where deviations from the construction sequence should be employed and what short cuts or improvements should be taught.

The vintage Vogue dress using pattern #2960 was the most fun to make.  Probably because it was the most challenging to construct, but also because I found it to be the most stylish of the three. The store and I chose to do it in a more dressy fabric to help promote the stores strong offering of wedding and social occasion fabrics, but it would look equally lovely in a beautiful floral print as illustrated on the pattern envelop - don't you agree?

   

The wrap dress made from Vogue #8784 is not a dress I would wear but is a very popular silhouette. In fact, Sarah at Goodbye Valentino recently featured a very similar dress. Made in a stretch cotton woven print the dress features a fully lined bodice. I chose not to line the skirt which worked out just right for the full skirt.

The third dress is a very practical and easy dress to make. Made using McCall's #6886 in a medium weight knit print the pattern features several necklines and sleeve options. I chose the short sleeve V-neck version. With a serger to finish all the seams and very few style lines or details this is a dress that can be made in just a matter of a few hours.

 

  

Sew Your Own Wardrobe with Basic Patterns

My Weekly Craftsy.com Blog Post

I've missed posting here a number of recent blog entries that have been published in Craftsy.com. Today's blog is on a more hardy approach to gathering long stretches of fabric, like when making shirred tiers on a skirt. While there are many ways to gather fabrics, I use plain ole household string to aid in accomplishing this ordinary sewing technique. Read my post to learn what this is all about. Here is the link: http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/03/gathering-in-sewing/

Last week's post had to do with investing in a small set of patterns in basic silhouettes that can serve as templates for creating many of today's fashion looks. It's surprising how many of the styles you see in the stores these days are created from very simple, easy to make garment silhouettes. Its the fabric and choice of styling elements that make them into modern day designs. You can re-create those same looks from basic patterns that have been fitted to you. Read how to build a wardrobe from a set of basic patterns. Here is the link: http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/03/sew-your-own-wardrobe/

A few weeks ago I offered some tips on how to set in a sleeve.
Many sewers struggle with this sewing technique. Problems mostly arise because of the fabric and not the technique. Learn a number of tips to help insert a perfect sleeve every time. Here is the link: http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/02/sewing-in-set-in-sleeves/