Friday, December 09, 2011

A fifties curtain into a sheath


I found a lone curtain at the thrift shop for $1.50. It looked like a fifties Batik Tiki print so how could I pass it up? Surely I could fit it in my fabric bin ?
How do you like the naked Barbie up on the shelf?

 I was inspired by the Sew Weekly Challenge last week to make something from some home linens. I just love Mena's site but I never can seem to get my projects done in time to post them over there. I am usually knee deep in some other project started over the weekend and getting a dress sewn, taking some halfway decent photos of me in it, and uploading it in 5 days is a tall order, even for quick sewist like me.
But I will be posting this at Refashion co-op thanks to one of their friendly e-mail reminders that if I don't post at least once a month I will get removed from the contributors list!
So back to my dress. I was seeing a sheath dress from this Tiki Afro fabric but the problem was I had only about a yard and a quarter of fabric from the curtain and it was only 45 inches wide. Here is the pattern I used
McCall's 5927

The pattern called for almost two yards of sixty inch fabric. Of course, most patterns ask for way too much fabric so I figured I could squeeze it in. Here is how I did it:


I'm not super thrilled with this dress. It was one with an adjustable bust and I chose the D cup. I think it is a little big in that department, so if you choose this pattern I would recommend you size it down a cup. 
  • I omitted the neck and armhole facings, instead trimming them with bias tape.
  • I didn't have enough fabric to cut the front bodice on the fold so I had to fit it on the fabric as two separate pieces with a seam down the center front which I think looks a little odd.
  • I didn't have enough fabric for the extra pocket lining piece so I just finished the raw edge of the pocket with bias tape and sewed the pocket directly down to the front skirt piece

I also would like to invite you back to visit my blog Sew Country Chick Saturday for two reasons:
1. I am having a giveaway! The sponsor will remained unnamed until tomorrow but let's just say they have a "fruity" name. It's going to be a good giveaway!
2. I will be posting Sew & Tell Saturday where you can post your sewing projects and discover some new sewing blogs!
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1 comment:

Brigita said...

Love it! The dress looks amazing.