Tuesday, January 21, 2014

First Muslin Fitting: Duct Tape Dress Form Fail


I carefully fit the muslin to the the duct tape dress form (nicknamed "Dummy,")  we'd made.   But when Zoe came down last week, and tried it on, it became evident that "Dummy" is quite a bit pudgier than the she is!   Not sure what went wrong, but I suspect that the T-shirt that we used as a base layer was too thick, and maybe I overstuffed.


The muslin on Dummy


 So while my live model was here, I altered both the muslin lining and the organza overlay, and  added boning to the muslin.   Here's the muslin by itself:




  Here's a shot of the organza bodice that is standing-in for our lace fabric.   Next step: Adding sleeves to the bodice overlay.    



Muslin with Organza Overlay - Sleeveless


I had altered the sleeveless version of the organza overlay to fit my model, but now I had to add the elbow length sleeve.   So with the help of sewing guru Barbara Rain at Sewing Arts Center, I drafted a sleeve pattern based on Zoe's measurements.   

But back home, (gulp),  I was on my own transferring my alterations to the bodice overlay pattern pieces and adjusting them  to accept the sleeve.  After pouring over several pattern drafting reference books, I dived in, dropping the armscye and extending the side seams at the underarm, tapering to nothing at the waist.

Tomorrow I will cut and sew the re-drafted organza bodice and sleeve.  Then I  have to sit tight til I see my live model next month.  Fingers crossed,  it will fit as well as the muslin lining! 

4 comments:

  1. I'm so impressed watching your progress. I've done a lot of sewing in my life--even used to make money at it--but this is very, very different and requires a great deal of bravery. :)

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    1. Gina -- Thanks for your kind words. Call it bravery or call it foolishness, it's so different from what I have been doing for the past many years, learning to do alterations for fit and drafting patterns to match is really stretching my learning limits!

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  2. I'm in awe of the loving & detailed care with which you're making this dress. What a very beautiful way to flow into this new phase of your life. - Judy Einzig

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    1. Thank you Judy. I am sure the granular details have most people's eyes glazed over by now!

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