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Posh Frock Adventures

Hi All,

Having spent 3hrs in the fabric store yesterday, I felt I had to tell you all about it!

I'm off to my best friends wedding on April 23rd, it starts in church at

2pm, and continues with a reception and dance (a ceilidh to be precise!). In talking to my friend the other week, he told me he would be wearing a morning suit with tails, but was probably going to skip the top hat.

So this means I need a posh frock - and I fancy a new outfit rather than recyling an old outfit. I have in the stash 3 and 1/3yds of 60" wide heavy weight cupro in a heathery-grapey kind of purple colour.

So having researched what I wanted to wear on the 'net (thanks to sewingpatterns.com), I decided on a two piece outit of long flowing skirt, fitted top, plus a cover up lacy or sheer blouse.

I ended up buying New Look 6428 - I'm going to make top A or C (haven't decided yet but I'm leaning towards A) and skirt D - although I may add some extra flare to it. I'm going to make this up with the cupro from the stash. I bought zips, thead & lining fabric to match.

I'm also picked up some sheer organza like material in a purple thats a smidge darker shade than my fabric, with which to make the over blouse - which will be made using a pattern from stash. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but was the perfect colour. I also bought matching buttons.

Whilst at the fabric store - I picked up 4m of navy blue courdery that was marked as slight seconds & going cheap - I could use a skirt and I know Mum would like one as well.

Very sensibly, I also picked up a metre of fabric with which to make a practice / fitting shell for my new top! It's not cupro, but was of a similar weight & feel. I definatley want to pre-fit this one before I make it for real - I have no spare fabric to allow for errors. It will also allow me to practise that tricky looking V split at centre bust!

The general idea is to wear all 3 pieces of the outfit in church, and then take off the over blouse in the evening for the dancing.

Having read the pattern directions,it looks simple enough, howver in one place they have you do something slightly odd. The top is made in three sections. They have you make the upper front lined, then the upper back lined, then connect the two together. You then make the lower front & back lined in one hit. The pattern then suggested that you sew the upper and lower sections togther with a single seam, and press the seam up.

This feels a bit strange to me - why go to the trouble of lining the top to end up with a wopping great big uncovered seam in the middle of it?? I think I'm going to sew mine together so that I do fashion fabrics togther, lining together, so I can hide the seam (I also think if you did it the way they're suggesting - it would itch!) - even if I Have to hand finish part of the seam - or the zipper opening seam.

The top has an under arm zipper to help you get in and out of it. I'm pondering scopping the back neckline lower and doing a centre zip or centre button placement although I would need to make the pattern peices for that.

Regards,

Sarah

Reply to
Sarah Dale
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Here are two reviews to review- good luck

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?readreview=1&reviewnum=7514Michelle Italy

Reply to
Atom1

You might want to consider using a separating zipper. I did in two of DD's attendants' tops, and they worked out very well.

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they were great to work with.

Reply to
BEI Design

In article , BEI Design of uttered

I use centre-back open ended zips for the tops I do for the shop, but that's when it's a separate top and skirt, not a full dress.

Reply to
She who would like to be obeye

Dear Sarah,

If you opt for a back opening, all you have to do is add to the CB seam the diameter of the button, plus 1/4 inch. This is enough overlap for buttons. If you decide on a zipper, please put it in by hand; this is too elegant an outfit for a slot zipper, or one applied by machine. Do the first two steps of the zipper by machine, and the finished lap by hand with a prick stitch.

The zipper under the arm is usually reserved for times when the back of the garment is complicated. It doesn't appear to be the case here.

The front "crossover thingy" appears to be just finished fronts overlapped. I would finish the upper front with lining, then sandwich the lower part under and over the upper, , so you can sew it without a raw seam showing. Grade the seam before turning it. I think the instructions say to sew it that way to avoid having to hem two separate bottoms--lining and fashion fabric. But if you turn it right side out, you can do most of the hem by machine. Not all, because you have to work on the inside from the outside, but most can be sewn on the machine.

I love cupro--the closest thing I know of to silk. You'll look great.

Teri

Reply to
gpjones2938

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Michelle, that first review was a hoot! Did you read it? I shall most definatley make my fitting shell after reading that one - I don't want to put 'my girls' on display!!! ;-) (Well, not at a friends wedding party at any rate!)

Thanks for the link - I think I shall book mark it this time.

Sarah

Reply to
Sarah Dale

Yes, it's an easy enough pattern mod - thanks for the tip about how much overlap to allow.

That's a good thought Teri, If I do a centre back zip, I can hand prick it, and bead the prick stitches to match the front on the top.

Interesting. OTOH, not having a zip or buttons showing at the back means there is no detraction from the simple lines of the top.

Its a two piece bodice with no overlap - literally it is just a 'V'.

Yep, I know what you mean - it just like bagging a vest (waistcoat). Its exactly what I was thinking of doing, and it allows you to finish the bottom edge first.

Many thanks Teri for your kind suggestestions, and also to AJH & Beverly for their useful comments on zips. I've already bought concealed zips for both skirt & top.

All the posh fabric has been washed and dried. The practice fabric has just this moment finished its wash - so I'd better get it dried!

Sarah

Reply to
Sarah Dale

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