BTW, my name is Antoinette. You may have forgotten me, as it's been about six weeks since I last posted. Yeah, sorry about that. Springtime is extra-nuts around here, between spring break, family birthdays (and parties), Easter, seasonally heavy workload, and volunteer stuff at the elementary school. The school yearbook is due at the printer this Friday, which will leave me with more spare time. I've got a busy couple of weeks after that with work, and then school's.... out.. for.. summer!!!
Unlike previous blogging breaks, I haven't sewn much. I started deconstructing a men's shirt in a very spring-y Pantone-color-of-the-year plaid last week and wasn't sure what to do with it. Yesterday I wore one of my yellow refashioned shirts and remembered how comfortable and very spring it is, and decided to drape a new version. Basically, I followed the same steps as in last year's tutorial, but added a side bust dart for a bit more shaping. There was enough length for this to stay a dress, so a dress it is.
Appropriate that I would get enough uninterrupted time to finish this on Mother's Day! Not sure what I will do with the back. I basted that center back pleat down just to work on the side seams and will leave it in till I figure out what to do with that extra fullness. As always, if you have any suggestions, I would love to hear any and all!
Also unlike previous blog breaks, I have not been reading your blogs regularly the past 3 weeks or so. Hope to get back into that these next few weeks to see what you've been up to! I've missed you!
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I so love your posts and have been missing you! About the fullness in the back of the dress.... what about long vertical darts on both sides. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteI love this color blue. Six weeks is a great hiatus- now back to work...!!(chuckle)
ReplyDeleteLove the color!! Hey, you won the giveaway on my blog! I sent you an email! congrats!:)
ReplyDeleteOooh, that's a nice blue. :-) I have no useful suggestions, but I like the fabric!
ReplyDeleteyeah! i like where this is going! and am happy you're back blogging!!
ReplyDeleteyo sista, nice to hear and see what u've been doing! and i am so glad to see you did this with a men's shirt....i have been wanting to do the same with some of david's old shirts that he doesn't want anymore! that blue dress is super cute, and the added bust dart makes a great difference. i don't understand what extra fullness you are talking about in the back?? it looks good to me from the back photo when i enlarged it....?? i bookmarked your tutorial, so if i ever get around to sewing again.....
ReplyDeletehey, i did make a dress though recently....check her out...
http://lightandmacaroni.blogspot.com/2010/05/letting-go-goodness.html
Gawd all I've done sewing-wise is start stuff and they forget about it!
ReplyDeletethank you for another refashion inspiring post. enjoy your new dress! i have a long sleeve oxford shirt that i'm not quite fond of as long sleeve, i think i'm going to (GULP!) hack off the sleeves and make it into a short sleeve oxford shirt with perhaps a cute little cuff????
ReplyDelete@Faye - Missed you, too! I don't think I showed in my detail photo that I kept the original center back pleat, which starts at the bottom of the yoke. Not sure the long vertical darts will fit in with that pleat. I'll put it back on the form and see tonight -- thanks for the idea.
ReplyDelete@JoanneM - I like this color blue, too! I get turquoise and aqua mixed up in my head a lot. I think this one is close to turquoise but maybe it's something else?
@Laura - Thanks! Very exciting! I will head to your shop soon.
@wendy - Thank you. I enjoyed the pop of bright color when I wore it today!
@Kyle - It's nice to be back! Hope I don't stay away as long next time.
@heather - I've done other things on previous shirt recons to take up that bust area fullness, like elasticized empire waist and neckline gathering, but this is the first time I've used plain ol' darts. BTW, your dress is GORGEOUS and shame on me for not commenting yet on your post. Just beautiful.
@Violet - I've started a few projects that didn't get finished, too! Oopsie.
@bookwormbethie - Good luck with your refashion! It's fun cutting things up and making newness.
Welcome back! Hehe.. I love the plaid and the blue.. what a great dress! Maybe you could make the pleat bigger...? I'm not sure what else. :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to blogland! And happy belated Mother's Day.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're jumping back into sewing with a bang-- I kind of like the pleat in the back, actually. Maybe if you kept that and then did some smaller vertical darts just to cinch it in a bit more?
great to see you back again! And, love the springy-ness of this new dress! Let us know what you end up doing with the back.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back. I totally understand those times when other aspects of your life take over. Cute dress. Go enjoy some time in your sewing room.
ReplyDeleteNo worries on the infrequent posting! Believe me, I feel you on that front. & love the dress--the pattern is awesome.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated mother's day to you! great to see you back in action...
ReplyDeleteWhat about using the extra from the sleeve to make a, IDK what to call it, placket type thing and top stitch it on the back at the waist to keep the pleat / fitted shape.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the poor description!
I miss you too! And your shirt refashion projects. I actually bought a shirtdress in London that reminds me of your redesigning projects. I think your style is rubbing off! It has been the same for me, am totally out of the blog reading loop. I just opened my blog reader for the first time in ages today
ReplyDeleteHey girl. Missed your post first time round. My daughter and her friends are coming over during the school holidays to make 'something'. Maybe I should help them with a refashioned shirt dress.
ReplyDeleteNow that it's been ahem months and months since you posted this, I'm sure it's too late, but I just wanted to share that I have a blouse from New York and Company From my darling MIL that has the center pleat as well as the long vertical darts and it's flattering and not clashy and weird. So in case you went that route congrats!
ReplyDeletePaige
pgmstr at gmail