Having established in last week’s post what the problem with the dress was the front pleated panel, I removed some of the excess fabric. As you can see it’s fitting ‘Gertie’ much better now.
Just to be on the safe side I did try it on myself as I was little concerned that having taken away some of the fabric from the bust it would be too tight. I’m pleased to say it fitted fine.
I then reshaped the collar to get rid of the excess folds, and that too is fitting much better than before.
Now that all the problems had been sorted and the fit was fine on me, I could then make a start on altering the paper pattern pieces. Magazine supplements which come with the weekend newspapers are perfect for this as they’re wider than A4 paper, and unlike newspaper, doesn’t get your hands, or the fabric, all inky.
When it came to altering the front pleat panel I decided it would be safer not to cut off the excess paper (just in case I need to make any last minute adjustments later) and simply snipped then folded back the peices, securing it down with paper clips.
Because the collar had been completely reshaped I had to make a new pattern piece for that.
That’s it, this toile is now finished. It’s been a lengthy journey but I hope when the dress is made, it will have been worth it.
Now, about the other toile, the one with the cowl neck. I’ve decided to abandon that pattern. After doing the various fitting adjustments, it just didn’t look right, and as Mr Gertie said, I wouldn’t be happy with it. I’m gutted as I really did like the dress.
That’s what toiles are for, to iron out any problems before cutting things out using your main fabric. It’s far better to find out now that something isn’t right than ruining your expensive cloth.
I’m still going to keep the pattern, as with a bit of reworking, and me losing some weight, I think it could work.
As I’ve set my mind on making two frocks for our cruise I’m just going to make a dress from a pattern that I’ve made before.
Why don’t I just use other pattern that came in second place? I’ll tell you next week....
Have a great week.
Love,
Gertie xx
PS why not pop over to Handmade Monday to see what other fellow craft bloggers have been up to.
You're so right that work in the planning stages pays off in the long run, i think that applies to so many things in life!
ReplyDeleteI'm really excited to see your dress completed now :) x
I couldn't agree more. Mr Gertie and I used to organise conferences in our spare time so had to plan everything well in advance xx
DeleteI wish I could enjoy making a toile stage dress instead of leaping straight into the real thing but I can't - even though I can see the benefits from reading your account. Looking forward to seeing the actual dress evolve!
ReplyDeleteI look on making a toile as a necessary evil. I don't particularly like doing them but I know I have too.... xx
DeleteYou're getting there! I cut out the pieces to make a couple of toile today and have used really random fabrics, but hopefully I'll then be able to make something that will fit properly. I had my husband take all my measurements at the weekend - I was saying "well, I'm going to try and eat a bit less cake" and he was saying "what's the point of taking these measurements then?"!!!!
ReplyDeleteUnless you're making a garment out of jersey or knit fabric, you can get away with pretty much any kind of fabric for the toile.
DeleteTell your husband when you take measurements for garments you have to make allowances for ease - that's what you were doing....
Not sure if you'd be interested but here's a link on how to make your own tailors dummy. I'd be lost without mine xx
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/3659/clone-yourself-a-fitting-assistant
Wow, that looks like incredibly skilled work. I used to do some (very basic) dressmaking, so I can appreciate the skill involved in cutting a pattern. It will all be worth it when you're modelling that dress on your cruise.
ReplyDeleteHave a great crafting week,
Alison
I'll try and remember to get a photo of me wearing the dress at the Captains welcome party xx
DeleteOh Gertie - you are so patient! I would have chucked it out of the window before now or, come to think of it, wouldn't have thought of making a toile in the first place! I know it will all be rewarded, and you'll have fabulous dresses as a result (whereas I would be putting my finished garments in the rag bag!! LOL) Have a great week, and I can't wait to see the actual dress. x
ReplyDeleteIt came very close to being thrown out of the window a couple of times but then I reminded myself that I wasn't going to be beaten by a piece of cloth.... xx
DeleteI am so impressed you made a toile. I am too impatient for that but I think it's the sensible way to proceed. Especially for such a lovely dress. Also with you deciding the cowl may not look right I was even more convinced a toile was a good idea. You never know if something may or may not suit you and that also goes for fabric. I can't wait to see your completed dress. Have a lovely week.
ReplyDeleteAli xx
When I first started dressmaking I never had the patience to make toiles so a lot of my garments were a bit hit or miss.
DeleteThat all changed when I made my wedding dress. I had to get that right and ever since then I've always made toiles xx
Such a lot of work, but I'm sure your finished dresses will be perfect.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think the dress will be ok when it's finished, though Patrick and May will probably think otherwise.... xx
DeleteA shame you have abandoned the one with the cowl neck, but that's what trouble-shooting is all about. Hope you have a good week.
ReplyDeleteJill, Christmas Pie Crafts
I'm hoping one day to be able to make cowl dress as I really did like it xx
DeleteYou have put so much effort into making sure the dress is perfect for you, I can't wait to see the finished dress.
ReplyDeleteI hope I don't disappoint.... xx
DeleteGlad you got it all sorted to fit, wish I could sew, so hard to find clothes I like in the shops x
ReplyDeleteThat's why I make my own clothes as I can never get anything to fit. Why don't you see if your local collage has beginners dressmakers classes xx
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