Good Morning,
I am new to the board. I need a little help. I designed a dress on a size 8 dress form. What I forgot to do is lengthen the dress. My silly self, drafted the pattern while the dress form was in a low position. Now I have a dress that is too short for any model over 5’6″ to wear. I made this dress to feature in a fashion show. The dress has a tulip style hem in that I added fullness to the dress from below the knee and beyond. I am at a loss as to what I should do to lengthen it so that it looks like an interesting design detail and not a mistake. Any help you veterans could lend would be greatly appreciated.
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Replies
Underskirt in a contrasting color or coordinating print. Repeat the tulip shaping.
Thank you! My creative wheels are turning as we speak.
You've gotten some great ideas in answer to your request, and your own ideas taking off from those sound very pretty, too, and you may already consider the problem solved. If so, you can ignore this. You didn't mention what kind of fabric you're using, so that would make a difference in the kinds of changes that suit. If you're using sheer fabric, I thought of a multi-layered ruffle or flounce in the nature of those used on the skirts of several Marfy patterns shown on the McCall's Pattern website - the ungathered, flaring ruffle somebody else recently referenced in this forum. I think this type of flounce, or under-flounce if preferred, would be very pretty on an already flared skirt.Marfy F1712:
http://www.mccallpattern.com/web/shop.cgi?II=F9412&search=F1712&s.search.all.x=0&s.search.all.y=0&SKU=0&QTY=1&M=or F1322
http://www.mccallpattern.com/web/shop.cgi?search=F1322&s.search.all.x=0&s.search.all.y=0&TI=%27F1316%27&M=&pageSize=12I second the request to share photos when you're finished.
Josefly's idea sounds as if it might flow better than gathers would. I was also thinking the organza might be a bit stiff, perhaps something softer like chiffon? Will the appliques weight down the ruffles too much? Just brainstorming here. If you have a serger, you could do the flounce or ruffle of a contrasting color and the rolled hem thread could match the dress.
I have done the same thing with my mannequin, but am under 5' tall and had it set at the tallest setting. It was an easy fix, but still a waste of fabric and time consuming.
Good luck on your creative venture! I hope you will post photos! Mary
Yoke the skirt, so it adds the length you need from the waist, yet adds subtle interest and super fitting at the waist and hips. Use a deep yoke with curves, slightly exaggerated, that comes down into the hip area. This mimics the shape of a tulip and echoes the shape of your tulip skirt. (Think where the stem attaches to the flower) this is my idea anyway Cathy
Cathy, Annie - these are both great ideas. It's amazing what comes out of mistakes!
Katina
Sometimes I think mistakes are meant to happen! They are opportunities to take the ordinary into the extraordinary. If they did not happen, we would not have the opportunity to take that creative step into the unknown and explore the possibilites.
Forced creativity if you will. Cathy
You all came up with wonderful ideas. Here is what I have decided to do, I am going to add a gathered underskirt of organza starting from the knee. It will peek out from under the hem. I will embelish the organza with flower appliques made out of the fashion fabric. What do you all think?
Sounds lovely! Be sure to share pictures when it's done.
Lovely idea with the flowers. Will add some real flair to the hem. Interesting how different minds solve the problem. Have fun with the project. Please do post pics. What is the dress made of? You did not mention that. Cathy
Sewing Chica's solution is taking that dress up several notches. We learn constantly here on Gatherings.
Katina
I agree. And the extra embellishment will add the wow factor. Amazing. Cathy
Good point Cathy; clearly, you agree with they quote below ...as do I ...;-)
"He who never made a mistake never made a discovery": a quote by Samual Smiles
OOOOO, I like that quote :) Like I tell my family, I never get lost, I go on mini adventures! And look at all the things I would have not seen, had I gone the way I intended! Cathy
Me too; and isn't that the truth though? We are having snow again here today; how about your end of the country? It's one of those days that's got me baking bread, making a huge pot of soup, and apple pie as a bonus. I'm about done in the kitchen, which means I will spend the rest of the day sewing ...after ...I paint the base board for my new sewing "studio" ...room ...workroom.
I started Christmas sewing so early, and then it got put aside, so now I'm behind the 8-ball. All I have to do for my daughters's gift though, is to put the binding around the edge. I made her a "picnic" quilt (wall size/type piece) in very bright colors that she likes. It's quite simple and very contemporary (not to my taste at all, but what she will like). She and her family live only a few miles from the Atlantic so spend a lot of time at the shore, so I thought a picnic quilt might be fun. I'll make coordinating napkins too, if I have time. If not, I'll send those for her birthday.
None of us are really doing much about gifts much this year, (just little things and handmade ...which I always enjoy anyway) but I started it so might as well get it mailed. At this point, it will barely get there on time. It's my first quilt too, so I sure hope she likes it.
Yeah, we have snow, but not enough to have to plow or shovel, yet! It has been cold tho, hovering at 0c or just under (shiver). Homemade bread and soup, yummy. Sounds like a plan. Cathy
"painting the baseboards" oooooh, does that mean your new studio is all set up?
Yes, it's almost completed. I found some decorative shelf brackets, so they will need to be installed and the shelves will need to be purchased and painted as well. DH wanted me to get a new book case for all my books, but I didn't want to take up the floor space with it, so he is going to put a continuous shelf, running around two walls of the room, about 12-inches (or thereabouts) from the ceiling. The I can hang my wall quilts (still to be made ...giggle) below them.
On one wall though, I have family photos that I've had custom framed some years ago (when I was working, i.e. when I had some extra $$$), so I need to figure out a good place for those. The oldest are ones of my great grandparents (you know, those formal photos where everyone looks mad ...tee hee) ...from the 1800's. I also have my parents christening pictures (formal as well), which are darling ...and their wedding photo. I'll take a picture of the "picture wall", when I get it arranged and post it.
My sewing room furniture is not here yet, as we have to move it up from the states, which won't happen until we go back down in the spring, so I'll just use a temporary table for now - you know, one of those long banquet tables. I can hardly wait to get my furniture in place as I've really missed the convenience of it all.
On one wall I have a cornice like you would put over windows. It's a shelf too. A sturdy tension shower curtain rod fits perfectly inside it without having to put holes in the cornice. When I am working on a quilt, I hang the batting on the rod, the fabric can be placed and moved around as it sticks to the batting (or fleece backing when I do that kind) It makes an excellent design wall!
Oh, Mary ...what a great idea. I haven't figured out how I'm going to dress the window yet, but perhaps I could incorporate your idea, as I'd like to have a design board somewhere. I wonder if making a Roman shade might work (using a light neutral (egg shell, perhaps) fabric. I would have to pin the pieces on rather than have a sticky surface, but that might still work OK. There are only two walls in my room, with one being all closet doors, as the 4th "would-be-wall", was removed to open the room into a long hallway. That wall was removed so I could open up a large cutting table, otherwise unusable in a small room.
I am just starting to get into quilts, and you may have read on another thread that I finished my first one. It was a kit that someone gave to me, with bright colors and modern design that I don't go for, but my daughter loves that sort of thing. It is a wall quilt size, and I'm giving it to her to use for a picnic quilt, since they live only a couple of miles from the beach in Charleston, SC.
I did read about your quilt but didn't realise it's your first one! I hope it turns out well. I just got into making quilts about a year ago and love it! Right now I'm going Crazy on my first crazyquilt for my grandson, it will take a long time I think if I do all the themes and embroideries I'd like to do on it. All his interests in high school and life. It had to be a CQ because he loves so many different things that don't go together in a quilt.
Have you ever seen Barbara Randall's book titled: "Crazy Quilts with Attitude"? She has written more than one, but that is the only one I have and I just love it. I've only played around with some scraps so far, but plan to get going on some handbags for the GD's after the holidays.
Oh, as to quilts: I did make a whole bunch of, what I called, "kennel quilts" for my vet ...probably a couple dozen ...but they were all those small, quick, machine sewn, pieced and machine quilted, quilts, so I'm not counting those. The largest was only about 24x36 inches. I made them for him to use for very sick dogs, so when their "parents" ...tee hee ...came to visit them, it would comfort them to see their precious little ones on something that said, "love".
Anyway, I've got a whole bunch of Laurel Birch (sp?) fabric to make some quilted accessories for my granddaughter to use when she goes away to college. She is a cat nut, so I thought soft-covered hangers and garment bags for her dance dresses, jewelry rolls, shoe covers, sweater bags, etc etc might please her.
PS: Your grandson is going to love his quilt, too. What a lucky little guy!
Edited 12/2/2008 6:20 pm by sewslow67
My grandson is a "big guy" at 17! ha ha I do have that book, would love to do a velevet throw for the living room like the one in there. I went to a website that had alot of CQ and that helped me figure out what they looked like with and without sashing and borders. I finished a block yesterday and it turned out very well, yahoo. It's fun to do, except I don't like leaving my iron on the whole time even though I know it's a necessary "evil", he he.
Wow, you have some excellent gift ideas, your grand daughter is one lucky girl!!! She will love her special gifts of love made specially for her dance. The love will warm her while away at school too! Mary
Thanks, Mary. The little handbag for my GD that I thought I'd make (after the holidays, though) would be one like in Barbara Randall's book ...with velvet, taffeta, etc. and lots of embellishments with decorative threads. I have not sewn with velvet for years, so I am looking forward to that.
If you happen to have the website of the CQ you went to, I'd love to see it. Which did you like the best, with borders or without? It would be great to see a picture of the quilt for your grandson when you get it completed. I doubt I'd ever make a full size quilt ...only table or wall hanging size. And I'm not sure I have the patience either. To bad, because I love them. We'll see though; I just might get the bug. ;-)
Rodezzy listed it here in another thread. I will try to email you a link. Mary
Thanks, Mary; that would be great.
http://www.geocities.com/soho/loft/6531 for Crazy Quilt Central
I'm not sure what happened here Mary, but I only got an ad when I clicked on this link. Maybe there is something not connecting with my computer?
Try doing a google search for crazyquilting, choose Crazy Quilt Central, that's the one. Hope this works. Mary
My goodness Mary; I have no idea why I didn't think of that. I guess I was having an extended "senior moment" ...giggle. I found many, wonderful websites and now I'm all excited to get started.
Oh, and I wanted to tell you too, that I'm going to use your ideas of putting a valance over the window. I'll make a Roman shade to go under that and then use another of your great ideas, i.e. put a tension rod up under the valance where I can hand a design wall piece of fabric. The latter will be temporary and only hang there when I need it. In the meantime, the rod won't show and it will just look like a regular window dressing. I hope this is a clear description.
I really appreciate all your helpful ideas. Thanks so very much. I need to run for now. The roads are still bad, but DH says we are going to drive to Bellingham, WA anyway today so I need to get ready to go. Please pray that all goes well. Thanks again, Mary.
I pray you will have a safe and fun trip! Godspeed!
When we put cornices over the windows, we make them wider than necessary so the sunlight won't peek in from the sides of the Roman Shade or Warm Window that we put up. You can even put magnet strips inside the side hems and on the wall you can put magnet strips that are sticky on one side if you want. This really keeps the cold out if the windows have a draft. I only did that in one room because of being a day sleeper at the time. I used heavy dark upholstery fabric on them too. I'm going to take those down now and do a beachy bedroom with either roman shades or curtains. Have fun! Mary
Hi Mary: Thanks for the terrific window ideas; I think I'll follow your lead on this too, as we get so much snow here and I seem to run "cold" all winter unless the heat is turned way up. Avoid a draft would help a lot.
Needless to say, we are back from our trip. We got back last night and just in time too, as it started to snow shortly after we got home. It snowed all night and is just beautiful - but a problem for DH. Thanks again for sharing those good ideas; they will be most helpful. Got to run and get things unpacked.
So glad to hear that you are home safe, sound, and cozy inside! I think I bought those magnet strips at Hancock Fabrics by the Warm Window Display they had. The have some that are made to sew into the curtain hem and some that are sticky back to adhere to the windowframe. Maybe I already mentioned that? I'm getting sleepy.
Everything I tried to do today turned to you know what. Hope I am more able to get some machine embroidery done tomorrow. Christmas is just around the corner and I am not at all ready.
I hope you have a better day today, Mary. And I know what you mean about Christmas "readiness". I started so early, and now I'm not ready either. Thankfully, the love of our families and friends does not rely on "things".
So true, but it would be nice to be a bit more prepared. Thanks for the encouragement! I need all the help I can get! Mary
How are your hands doing, with all this extra activity? I can't even imagine how difficult it must be to have pain in them ...esp. when you have such a love of the needle arts where hand use is critical. Please just be careful and not take Ibuprofen. That is what my doctor gave me for pain and it is what caused my kidneys to fail. It is a terrible drug and I would feel very bad if you ended up with kidney disease because I forgot to warn you about it.
Thank You so much for the warning and your kindness in thinking of me. I don't take any medication on a regular basis anymore. I have good and bad days and just try to keep my mind busy when the body goes "on strike. That's probably why I have so many more ideas than finished projects. My imagination soars!
I still study techniques thoroughly and practice them even if I don't use them in a project. I try to have some long term and short quick projects going all the time. It's hard to not be as productive as I'd like to be. The people on this forum keep my spirits up and keep me motivated and inspired to do as much as I can. You all make such a difference in my life! Mary
You have some precious heirloom treasures in those photos! The wall will be beautiful. I'm so happy for you! Mary
Thank you, Mary. My mother had a number of them framed for me for Christmas one year, and I dug through a lot of photos after my parents died and framed the rest of them. I hope that my children cherish them someday too, but that is up to them. For now, I do so appreciate having that family history in pictures.
Years ago, my grandfather called me one day to tell me that he had "decided" to die ...that he had done everything he ever wanted to do. When I asked him when he planned on "doing that" ...he said: as soon as you receive this gift I'm sending you. The "gift", a large family Bible that his grandfather had given his mother, just before she sailed from Scotland to America, arrived mid-afternoon, 10-days later. I called to thank him, and my grandmother answered ...and told me that my grandfather had just died.
Everyone in his little Iowa town had been laughing at him, as he had gone around to tell all his friends good-bye, but no one believed him ...laughing at "the old coot". Needless to say, he had the last laugh. One of these days ...before it is too late ...I need to write down all of these family stories for my grandchildren. I think we all have this kind of "strange stuff" in our family histories; we just need to dig a little sometimes and/or remember to share them with the next generation so they don't die along with our loved ones.
I adored my grandfather; he was a great man ...in size and soul alike. He told me that he wanted me to have his Bible ...because all the rest of the kids only wanted his $$$ ...and he wanted me to have something special. What a cherished gift he shared with me!
Edited 12/2/2008 4:58 pm by sewslow67
I am speechless. Mary
Oh wow, you can enjoy decorating too! What fun.
Yes, it is fun; and I've also had fun catching up on everyone's messages ...including being slack-jawed at the beauty that you have created in your apartment. Wow! It is absolutely gorgeous! Congrats on a beautiful job ...well, done, my friend ...well done!
Thank you. What are your initial plans for decorating? I know you don't have your furniture, but you have your dreams. Right!
Right now, the biggest challenge is the window. It's not large, but (when a temporary structure is removed, i.e. my DH has a storage shed there), I would enjoy seeing the beautiful view of the mountains. Thus, the challenge. I need the light, but don't enjoy the current view ...so possibly a Roman shade made of a very, light weight "somewhat" opaque fabric in a neutral like the walls, since it is not a large room.
The rest of it will be filled with wall quilts (yet to be made ...but I have the designs in books I've been dreaming over), and family photo's that I've collected and had framed. I want to find a beautiful rug to cover the hardwood floor to protect it from the pups - preferably an oriental rug. As I mentioned in another post, DH is going to put a shelve near the ceiling on two walls for my sewing, jewelry making and craft books, because there just isn't enough room to put a book case - at least there won't be when we get my furniture moved up here.
I'll have to eventually get a coordinating piece to match my sewing cabinet for my computer, as I work on that during the morning and it is also connected to my sewing machine so I can download designs to embroider. As for "dreaming"; someday, I'd like a room about 4-times this size. But for now, I am most grateful for this cozy little place where I can escape from the world trauma's and be in a world of my own.
That window sounds wonderful. What happened to the view that makes you want to hide is now? I love everything you've dreamed of....dreams can come true.
DH built a temporary storage shed a few feet away from it, and I can no longer see the view. It will all be torn down and moved next summer, as we are putting a huge, covered deck (very high roof line) there (and the hot tub will be on it). It's OK, but ...I was really looking forward to the winter view.
Oh, well, enjoy what you can!
Absolutely! I'm just so thrilled to have a lovely new room, that the view was just an "extra". And with all the projects this winter, spring will be here in no time at all, so I'll probably not miss it. And if I do ...lack of it will encourage me to get out and take a walk ...and the exercise is something I really need, so no problem there. I actually enjoy walking in the snow more than in any other season, so I hope we'll get plenty of it in the next few months.
And ...I like the idea of using the window for a design board. For every challenge, there is a solution, eh?
awesome and I love snow too
We are driving down to the states to pick up my medical supplies tomorrow, and will be back in a few days. Have a great weekend; and I'll see "ya' all" when we return.
OK please be safe.
Thank you Rodezzy. We are still home, as we woke this morning to 9-inches of snow ...and it has continued snowing all day. There was a nasty accident on the Coquihalla (mountain pass) earlier that sounded nasty, so we decided to postpone the trip south for a few days until the roads can be cleared. Since you live in Chicago, you know what a lot of snow can do to transportation. It's truly beautiful, but frequently dangerous.
So ...I am baking bread and sewing today. Nice day ...and I hope yours is the same.
Oh, I sorry you couldn't make your trip, but snow can be a real hassle. Mmmmmmmmmmmm homemade bread, that sounds good. Well we always something to do to keep our creative juices going. Cooking is an art you know. smile
Sounds like the place to get snowed in is with YOU! Home made bread! Sounds yummy.
Then you just better come on over then! Bring your sewing machine and we'll have some fun with fabrics while the bread is rising and the soup is getting all the flavors "meld" in. ;-)
"a world of my own" you hit it on the nailhead! That's such a blessing!
Oh, yes Mary; we are really on the same wave length. Oh ya ...;-)
Hmmm, design wall or window treatment...
How about using white or off-white flannel (or fleece) for your roman shades? Could give you the "best of both worlds" until the view improves. Be careful that DH doesn't put the book shelves too high on the wall - you'll want to be able to get at them at the least hint of an inspiration, and having to "go get a stool" may feel like too much effort sometimes. Glad to hear that you're making steady progress on your studio. Kharmin
I like the idea of making my Roman shade in a way that is would also be my design wall; thanks for your thoughts.
As to the shelf: this little cottage has low ceilings, so reaching my books won't be a problem for me ...unless I continue to get shorter! I was 5'7" most of my life, and have "shrunk" down to 5'5" to date, and I'm more compact as well. My mother aged the same way.
And yes ...you've got a good point about books; they are a terrific inspiration, aren't they? Lucky us!
can't wait to see your finished studio. It sounds heavenly!
Thank you, Cheeaychelle; I'll be glad to get moved in there too. DH is going to add more electrical outlets today too, so there won't be cords running everywhere. There's enough just with what is necessary with the computer!
Praise God for DH with skills and the utility of a mutli outlet surge protect for those of us without the DH with skills!
You are so right; Praise God! And I know what you mean; I lost my DH years ago, and was alone for nearly 30-years. It's amazing what you can learn to do though, when you have to. During those years, I re-wired one of my homes, painted everyone ...inside and out; tore out doors, and all the trim in one house and replace them all myself, after borrowing a friends electric miter saw, and did all the tile work in another house.
I also got up on the roofs and cleaned and treated the cedar shakes, and did most of the gardening. I stop ...and bolt out of the house fast though ...when it comes to plumbing.
And now that I'm married again, ...I just sit back and put an order in for "whatever", as DH loves that kind of thing and, although he knows my history, he is sure he can do it better ...and thankfully, God has given me the wisdom not to argue with him on that point. (Not arguing gives me a lot of time to sew ...tee hee!) We women aren't dumb, are we? giggle!
PS: And yes ...a multi-outlet surge protector. I've always used one, but got a new one after reading a detailed discussion on this website about special ones for computerized sewing machines. If you missed that thread, let me know, and I think I may be able to dig out one of the messages that gave details on what to buy.
That's a great idea! I can just see the skirt flaring out from the smooth yoke over the hips--VERY flattering.
Thank you. I could just picture it in my head. Probably the way you picture a quilt, tee hee Cathy
Breathlessly waiting pictures! it does sound lovely!
Here are some rescue ideas. I assume you have leftover fabric. You can either add length to the top, bottom or somewhere in the middle. First, redraft the pattern to the correct length. (1) Add length to the bottom. Make a slip from your re-drafted pattern using tricot at the top but fashion fabric on the bottom. (You'll have to determine the best place to split the pattern.) The slip will be longer than the dress adding length, but only the fashion fabric will show at the bottom. This solution could have the benefit of making the skirt even more twirlly as it glides on the tricot. (2) Add length at the top of the skirt. Using your pattern, make a yoke for the top of the skirt and sew it to the existing. The length of the yoke before it joins the skirt is a design decision. If you don't want a circle around the top of the hips, design it so there are staggered diagonal seamlines where the yoke joins the skirt. (3) Add length somewhere in the middle. Using your pattern, draft an insert. The location for the insert would probably be most attractive if it were just above the flare. You'll have two seamlines, and if they are going to be glaring, you'll have to think about how they can become design lines. Myself, I like to accent awkward transitions. You could frill a bias strip of fashion fabric, lightly gather it, and sew it over the seam or pipe it into the seam. As we say in sewing, there are no mistakes, only opportunities. Keep us posted what you decide.
Love those ideas too.
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