Well, I tried, I really did but still no dice. I have been working on vintage Simplicity 7626 for days. I did a muslin and decided I needed to change a few things. I made the garment with those changes at is was enormous. I went back to the original pattern as was then back, etc. I have ripped more seams than I even care to count but still nothing. It’s just not going to work. I got a good fit across the bust but there just isn’t enough ease for me. The patter is for a 36 bust with about4 inches of design ease. I have a 40 bust and the bust is quite fitted on me. No big deal, that’s not the problem. The problem is that the waist of the pattern is just too low for me and I didn’t realize this until it was too late. I tried to make changes to the dress but it just looked odd.
Here are two pictures so you see how horrible this thing looks on me. It is SO unflattering. Maybe the problem is my odd body but either way, it looks gross.
So there, after all that, I’m throwing this one in the UFO pile and off to Wadderland it goes. The fix is simple but I’d have to cut a whole new garment and quite frankly, I can’t be bothered. I get very discourged by stuff like this. I don’t even think there is anything else I can make from this failed dress. I thought of chopping it up into a top but I don’t wear tops that snug. Blah. Besides, I can’t say I love the fabric as used here (I originally bought it for a coat).
So long Simplicity 7626!
Myra
Read your post here and at Sew Retro, looked at some of your past posts. You have a similar shape to mine. I live in South Texas so also experience high summer heat. Some of my recent discoveries are that vintage patterns can be tough to fit, heck, any pattern, when you have a fuller midsection to fit. One thing with vintage, use those half-size patterns, better proportion of bust-waist. Also, you mentioned you were B40, but the pattern was B36, I try not to buy anything that is not within one size. It is too much work to drastically size up or down. Also, consider using a stable knit in lieu of a woven for some of those patterns. That is where I have been experimenting. And try princess seams, made a difference on my last dress, which was a current pattern that had a vintage influence. Good luck.
Beth
Sorry you weren’t happy with your project. I hate it when that happens!
Can you make it into a skirt? From the photo, the fabric looks like it might make a nice skirt and you’d still have some leftover for a coordinating purse.
fröken lila
hi, i’m a lurker from sew retro and jumped over to put in my two cents. the first thing i thought when i saw the picture was that the fabric colour is just not yours to wear. apart from what myra said i think that the pattern might have worked with a bright 60s or 70s print for you, a bright blue or red maybe. i don’t know if you have ever thought about which colours suit you and which don’t? anyways, i second beth’s suggestion to turn it into a skirt, since that way you get the colour away from your face and can match the skirt with a lovely blouse. hope this helped a little!
and have a wonderful new year with lots of successful sewing!
Toni
I 2nd froken lila… I don’t think that the color is right for you… too light… a bright vibrant color might be better!
Great idea Beth to turn it into a skirt! I had to do that recently with one of my “dress” projects!
I'm Lori...and maybe I'm you, too.
While I will agree that there are better colors out there for you, sweetie, and I agree that a knit might make a difference in how it falls, I think the real problem is not anything you did. There are a lot of really well-made clothes out there that look great on a hanger but just aren’t you when you put them on. Why would a dress you made yourself be any different? Disappointing? Absolutely, but no reason to get discouraged.
And I’ve got a recommendation for you for when these things happen. We have a Career Closet at our Community Action organization. It collects clothes appropriate for work or job interviews for people who can’t afford them. I think someone would look wonderful in that dress, and really appreciate it. You might see if there is a similar program near you.