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Sunday, August 5, 2012

New Look 6122:A Humbling Experience


Once in awhile a sewing project comes along that gets the better of me.
It's usually a project that upon examining, I consider easy.
"Oh, I can knock this out in a couple of hours."

That's what I thought about New Look 6122.
The whole experience was almost a disaster, but in in the end, I saved the dress.



But sewing can be a humbling experience....

So where do I start explaining the many mistakes that were made?

First, I made the mistake of only buying two meters of this interesting cotton knit on my trip to Tokyo. It was only two dollars a yard, too! I should have bought at least three yards, considering how narrow it was.
New Look 6122 was supposed to be the maxi dress with the lovely draped neckline. 
Once I cut out the first half of the maxi skirt I realized there was no way I was going to have enough fabric for the other side of the skirt. I would have to make the shorter version which this print didn't have in mind!
I also had failed to notice that the bodice was supposed to be cut on the bias. The pattern has a pretty, draped neckline. When I laid the piece down to cut it out, I realized I didn't have enough fabric to cut the neckline on the bias and would have to cut it on the straight grain. What was I thinking?
It's impossible to get a proper draped neckline on the straight grain as you can see below.


Once again, I had brazenly disregarded the directions on the pattern, thinking I could just wing it,  and soldiering on ahead, as I usually do. 

Was this a metaphor for my life?
I hadn't sunk to sewing depths this low for some time...

No amount of fussing would get this neckline to lie down flat.
I had to take the whole bodice apart and reshape it, creating a totally different style from what I wanted.
Yikes, this new bodice combined with this print gives me a bit of the dreaded mono boob look!

While I think this fabric would have looked fabulous as a maxi dress, I wasn't sure if it worked as a knee length dress.
To avoid looking too frumpy, which I worry more and more about lately, I hemmed the dress a couple of inches shorter than my knees.
But now I think I may like it better at the longer length.
I didn't think I like the dress very much, but yesterday I wore it to the beach with some flip flops and I think it makes a good casual sundress.

Just not the showstopping draped neckline maxi dress I was hoping for!



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17 comments:

  1. Ohhh , when this happens really makes us consider some bad habits or automatic decisions we take.. You manage to save it beautifully...

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  2. I quite like it - you've done a great job saving it. I really like this pattern but haven't bought it yet - its still winter here and I'm not quite ready to see for summer!

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  3. hahahhahahha - sorry Justine, I am actually really sorry for the frustration you felt while making this dress. Boy - do I know that feeling! But the post made me laugh nonetheless. I don't see the monoboob, but I know the feeling!

    I think the dress looks great!

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  4. I mean this in the best way possible, but it's great to know that even amazing seamstresses like yourself have off days in sewing ;o) What matters though is that you really turned it around and although your dress is not what you had in mind, you still have a very cute summer dress to chill out in!

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  5. You did a great job, turning this around. .Really pretty sundress. So sorry you had to go through the frustration though... Happy sewing.

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  6. Thanks everyone! I am feeling a bit better about life in general today!

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  7. Great save! And totally no monoboob!! Thanks for the post. This was one pattern I had every ambition of making several of this summer, but it didn't happen. When I do get around to it, I will heed your advice! You look great. The length is perfect for you. Sorry about the tribulations, but it paid off in the end.

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  8. Love that you did not give up.....you have given me inspiration to finish my Vogue jumpsuit which was last summers nightmare project! I really like the fabric & the fit on you is fabulous....& I hear you about the frumpy bit..lol

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  9. Why is it always those seemingly simple projects that end up kicking our butts??? Anyhow, I think your save makes for a rather cute sundress! Sorry for all the frustrations.:)

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  10. You did a great job!! I would not have been able to master it as you did!! You look beautiful in it!! xo Heather

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  11. Clever save of your now trendy and very attractive dress on you! What monoboob? In fact, I find the square neckline flattering on you.

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  12. I love it, and I see no mono boobs. I think it makes a cute summer dress and it's very flattering... and oooh... wait... I think it's about my size. Um, yes... I think it could be. Oh your really don't want it, it doesn't flatter after all. I think I could take it off of your hands ; )

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  13. Great save! I think it looks great on you.

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  14. Wow that's amazing, what a save! When I do things like that I try to soldier on & then get frustrated & the project usually ends up languishing in a corner some where. Next time I shall persevere, thank you for sharing.

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  15. Wow that's amazing, what a save! When I do things like that I try to soldier on & then get frustrated & the project usually ends up languishing in a corner some where. Next time I shall persevere, thank you for sharing.

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