Ugh

The DuBarry dress is mostly constructed as in all the pieces are attached to each other. The fit is absolutely horrible. I think the problem is that the bodice length is really important. Since it extends to the hip, it really needs to be the proper length, otherwise, it will be too small around the hip. I should have shortened the bodice about two inches. Also, I might take out a couple of the pleats somewhere inconspicuous and looen it up a bit that way too. Otherwise, the fit is good. The bodice, aside from being too long, fits well in the bust and waist and I shortened the skirt about four inches. The pattern says to use snaps but I'm going to put in a zipper. Forget snaps....pain to sew on, and they don't stay closed.

DuBarry 5579

I'm starting this next. It's a shirtwaist with a drop-ish wast (not really, I guess, but I don't know what to call it) and pleated skirt. The collar is cut in one with the front (which I like because it means no fiddling with a damn collar, ease, or anything else. Sleeves are darted into the armhole. The pleats are topstitched. It will actually look like this picture because I'm using green and white seersucker, but not intentionally. There are only 5 pieces to this dress, which is nice because pleating the skirt will be tiresome enough. It won't be hard....just tedious.

My hope is that the with the dress being fitted through the hip, the fullness at the bottom will balance out the top of me. Cute dress and I think it will be comfy in the summer.

Coming up next.....

By necessity, I am forced into being economical. I've never been super extravagent but I can't say I'm necessarily thrifty. There are a couple of projects I'd like to start but I will have to be more picky about price....which is why I'm really liking Knitpicks.com more and more. They have a really nice variety at very friendly prices and after my good experience with the last yarn I bought from them, I'm definitely going back. So here are the projects and the yarns:

From A Stitch in Time:

I really like the lace pattern and love the ribbon. While I'm not typically a pink person, I do enjoy the contrast of colors, but I think I'm going to do a navy ribbon. The suggested yarn is Filatura di Cross but at $10-$20 per skein, that's a big no.

Passion Heather - 100% Wool and $2.19/skein
I think this shade of pink will look nice with a medium navy ribbon too.

A new pattern book I bought on Etsy and just got last night!

I really like this dress. I know myself and my procrastinating ways and it would take me FOREVER to make this dress....but I love it and I want it. The book recommends Turquoise (in Beehive Opaleen - you know those books that yarn stores have that lists old yarns from companies and gives you a description and equivalent....yeah, where do they get those because I want one). Love the color option so I chose some turquoise yarns that I love and one light green that exactly reminds me of a Crayola marker I had when I was little. The dress is called "Apple Blossom" (all the patterns are named after some sort of flowering tree) so I immediately thought of apple trees in the spring. They are so pretty with their white and pink blossoms and green leaves. I may do something along those lines but I don't have any turquoise clothes and I love the color! So here we are:

Seafoam - cotton/acrylic $2.79

Marlin - cotton/acrylic $2.79

Whirpool - 100% wool $1.99

Kenai - merino/silk $3.99