Sewing gaff

here:

> There's not a single sewist "here", even the newbies, who> could not have done a better job. Good gracious! Now I don't feel half so bad about the zipper in my blue skirt being a wee bit wonky! :-)

Erin

here:

> There's not a single sewist "here", even the newbies, who> could not have done a better job. What a shame, the rest of> the gown is lovely.>

With those gathers, I would have put it in by hand, rather than by machine.

In looking at the dress, I imagined how much fun it would be to recreate it. I then thought of my pregnant tummy and decided that if I were doing it, the crossover would have to be in the back. :)

--Betsy

Funny how critical of our own work we can be but that is just shameful. I'd be curious to take a good luck at the construction of that gown. It really is lovely in style.

Taria

BEI Design wrote:

Kay

It is a beautiful gown. One of my favorites of hers. But that zipper is a MESS!! Personally, I would have put in an invisible zipper, or at least lapped that zipper. Yes, it would have taken some patience and a little persistance with the pleating/ruching along the bodice. But it would sure look nicer. I just hate to see an exposed CB zipper like that. Really detracts from any garment, and one like this, with dozens of hours of other really impressive work put into it?? That's when it's worth the effort to put in an invisible zip! Guess we never noticed it when she was wearing it though did we? lol

Sharon

It wouldn't be hard to put a concealed zip in that, or to put in a lapped one, hand pricked. You could hide all the tiny stitches in those pleats really well. Such a shame!

That just looks clumsy: cheap finish on an otherwise delightful gown.

LOL There ya go Erin!!

I just can't imagine putting all the time, effort and money that we know went into that dress and then doing just a poor job on the zipper. Showed the pix to DH and he even guffawed at it! Ah well...

Sharon

The description on the eBay auction page reads: "Constructed of pale blue silk chiffon and intricately draped with Fortuny pleats, the strapless bodice tucks into a crossover yoke with the skirt opening to an incredible 625" sweep at the hemline. The skirt has a second lining of pale blue chiffon and the entire dress is fully lined in blue silk." Just imagine 17 YARDS of hem! In silk chiffon! And all the seams *appear* to be nicely done French seams.

You know, I started wondering if maybe the zipper had been

*replaced* at some point by someone who had no clue. But if you look at the picture of the inside back (the one where it's pulled open to show the label), it appears that the lining is sewn in place along the zipper very nicely.

It's a puzzlement!

Beverly

Could it be a "design element"? Looking at the designer's site -

- this dress is laced up the back as part of the design. does not appear to be laced, but the back seam does stand out.Another puzzlement to me is the label in the back by the zipper. My better clothes don't have labels in the back like that. They're in the side seams, frequently in the skirt area.