One - I've been meaning to give wearability reports on a couple of my recent makes and I'm just getting around to it.
Two - most importantly, I want to say thank you to everyone who has left such kind remarks about my latest garments. I appreciate that not only do you read my blog postings but you also stop, leave a comment, suggestion, or a helpful hint. So it's important to me that I acknowledge that. Especially when I write a talk back post, because the resulting conversations are wonderful & informative and I so value & respect your responses.
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Now onto the wearability reports...let's start with the latest make first...
The Tri-Color Ponte Dress ~
This was a hands down winner not only for the color but the fit too. It was comfortable to wear, garnered a lot of compliments and is a perfect late summer/early fall dress. The only comment I have is that if I make this dress again (and I'm thinking about it because I own a lot of ponte) is that I would make a slimmer sleeve. Otherwise this dress was the reason why we sew ~ to get the garment we want, in the colors we want, and the perfect fit.
The Bubble Dress ~
Another attention getting dress because of the color and print...however, this dress photographs better than it looks in real life. Washing and drying this ponte took away the finishing on the fabric and left it a little "pilled" looking. A look that I couldn't even photograph - see this is where my photography skills are definitely lacking. So even for the first wearing, it looked as if it had been worn several times before...even my boss noticed the difference. So the fabric was most definitely a fail. However, because the dress is my TNT pattern, it was very comfortable to wear. It won't get worn as much as the lilac floral print inspiration dress but I will wear it again...albeit with a cardigan so that you don't see quite so much fabric.
The FatQuarter Dress ~
This one was a winner - stylewise, fabric-wise, and wearability wise. The linen didn't create a lot of wrinkles while wearing because it was underlined in silk organza. The side panel is unexpected and adds a touch of whimsy to a basic work dress. Of course, it wore well, it is my TNT pattern after all and it garnered a lot of compliments...especially from those that followed it's progress on Instagram.
This is my last summer dress and I've included it in the wearability report because I want to make another version of Butterick 5821 with longer sleeves for late fall/early winter. I originally made this dress for winter in a laminated ponte version but I really want a wool crepe one. Since I have plenty of wool crepe on hand, it's just a matter of choosing the colors for the next one.
Butterick 5821 - The Summer Version ~
I knew this would wear well because I already own a ponte winter version. The unknown in this version is the linen fabric but since it's a heavier embroidered linen, the wrinkle factor is practically non-existent. This was just a great dress which also garnered compliments. On another note, I realize that I have a spring green version of this linen that I will have to use next summer.
Finally, one last note, I have lost about 25 pounds in the last couple of months which I think you're finally starting to see in my body, legs and ankles. Although the fat just seems to be sliding down my arms...*sigh*...but that's what cardigans are for right?! Anyway, I thought I should share that along with the fact that I am still wearing shapers under my clothing which also adds to the new slimmer appearance. Some of my dresses from just two years ago are starting to be quite loose, so there will be some heavy duty purging going on soon.
...as always more later!
Two - most importantly, I want to say thank you to everyone who has left such kind remarks about my latest garments. I appreciate that not only do you read my blog postings but you also stop, leave a comment, suggestion, or a helpful hint. So it's important to me that I acknowledge that. Especially when I write a talk back post, because the resulting conversations are wonderful & informative and I so value & respect your responses.
Now onto the wearability reports...let's start with the latest make first...
The Tri-Color Ponte Dress ~
This was a hands down winner not only for the color but the fit too. It was comfortable to wear, garnered a lot of compliments and is a perfect late summer/early fall dress. The only comment I have is that if I make this dress again (and I'm thinking about it because I own a lot of ponte) is that I would make a slimmer sleeve. Otherwise this dress was the reason why we sew ~ to get the garment we want, in the colors we want, and the perfect fit.
The Bubble Dress ~
Another attention getting dress because of the color and print...however, this dress photographs better than it looks in real life. Washing and drying this ponte took away the finishing on the fabric and left it a little "pilled" looking. A look that I couldn't even photograph - see this is where my photography skills are definitely lacking. So even for the first wearing, it looked as if it had been worn several times before...even my boss noticed the difference. So the fabric was most definitely a fail. However, because the dress is my TNT pattern, it was very comfortable to wear. It won't get worn as much as the lilac floral print inspiration dress but I will wear it again...albeit with a cardigan so that you don't see quite so much fabric.
The FatQuarter Dress ~
This one was a winner - stylewise, fabric-wise, and wearability wise. The linen didn't create a lot of wrinkles while wearing because it was underlined in silk organza. The side panel is unexpected and adds a touch of whimsy to a basic work dress. Of course, it wore well, it is my TNT pattern after all and it garnered a lot of compliments...especially from those that followed it's progress on Instagram.
This is my last summer dress and I've included it in the wearability report because I want to make another version of Butterick 5821 with longer sleeves for late fall/early winter. I originally made this dress for winter in a laminated ponte version but I really want a wool crepe one. Since I have plenty of wool crepe on hand, it's just a matter of choosing the colors for the next one.
Butterick 5821 - The Summer Version ~
I knew this would wear well because I already own a ponte winter version. The unknown in this version is the linen fabric but since it's a heavier embroidered linen, the wrinkle factor is practically non-existent. This was just a great dress which also garnered compliments. On another note, I realize that I have a spring green version of this linen that I will have to use next summer.
Finally, one last note, I have lost about 25 pounds in the last couple of months which I think you're finally starting to see in my body, legs and ankles. Although the fat just seems to be sliding down my arms...*sigh*...but that's what cardigans are for right?! Anyway, I thought I should share that along with the fact that I am still wearing shapers under my clothing which also adds to the new slimmer appearance. Some of my dresses from just two years ago are starting to be quite loose, so there will be some heavy duty purging going on soon.
...as always more later!