I had a little bit of black jersey left after making my Accidental Aladdin Pants, so I used it as the top portion of this convertible dress/skirt. Heady with the success of my last successful Japanese sewing book project, I decided to try another pattern from the Feminine Wardrobe Book, number E3. I really liked the unique shape of the skirt, which is like a less complicated version of Communing With Fabric's tablecloth skirt.
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| It's a very simple idea, really. |
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| Not that you can really tell in this busy, drape-y rayon, but there are these neat little corners! |
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| Can you tell that I'm just sort of uncomfortable wearing this? |
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| Right after taking these pictures, we ran into a friend of ours. It was the most uncomfortable twenty minute conversation ever, which just goes to show that there needs to be some kind of overhaul of the top if I'm ever going to wear this out. |
Summary:
Fabric: 2 yards of rayon, from my trip to Michael Levine Loft with Oonaballoona, 1/3 yard of black jersey with a significant lycra content.
Notions: Seam binding for the insides of the skirt
Hours: Three, including cutting and sewing and endless baby hemming
Will you make it again? Nope. And I can't even think of anything clever to say about it, either.
Total cost: $5, if even.
Final thoughts: I'm pretty sure this is the briefest write-up I've ever done. I guess this is what happens when something is so meh.
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| Even these pictures are meh. They all look the same because I was afraid to raise my arms! |
I'm kind of sad that this is how I'm ending my May stashbusting, but hopefully you all have some gorgeous makes that you can be more excited about. Here's your chance to share your projects!
Why don't you try putting a semi-sheer or sheer yoke on it? It would suit your shape, make the dress wearable, and still be a fashionable addition. And also, adding a set of yoke straps would be super easy on this pattern since the top of the bodice is already straight...
ReplyDeleteHmm, I like the idea of a sheer yoke, but I don't have any really suitable fabric in the stash...which kind of defeats the whole purpose of this project!
DeleteI'm with madeonthecouch--I like the idea of a sheer or semi-sheer yoke, or maybe a really cute open-work(?) crocheted one that made a racerback in the back? Because I really love this on you!
ReplyDeleteIf only I knew how to crochet!
DeleteThe yoke idea mentioned in previous comments would be nice, but if you are looking for simple straps, use some grosgrain ribbon. You could use black, you could tie them, you could just stitch them flat, or you could cover the ribbon in some scraps of the rayon print you used for the skirt. The possibilities are endless and the ribbon won't stretch out and get too long.
ReplyDeleteOverall, it's a nice looking dress. =) I totally understand the insecurity you feel with the knit strapless though! I'd probably put straps on it if I made one too.
~ Brooke
Hmmm, I do have some black grosgrain in the stash...I'll have to play around with it to see it I like the look!
DeleteIt's a beautiful dress, but I'm with you on dresses needing straps. I suggest maybe adding wide gathered straps, like the ones on the Sewaholic Cambie Dress.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I do like the idea of Cambie straps! Time to see if I have enough fabric left over!
DeleteI'd go for simple, turned tube black knit spaghetti straps. The dress stays up alright, but ya just want a little insurance, right? It's very pretty.
ReplyDeleteHahah insurance! I love that. Still, I'm not in any hurry to have to turn a tiny knit tube...
DeleteI'd do a wide knit band to convert it to a halter-style, if you have any more left. Casual and easy, but with a little more support!
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I like that idea but I don't think I have enough fabric for that! The strap would have to be pieced like mad!
DeleteWhilst it looks totally gorgeous in the pictures (great fresh colours on you!!) I can totally empathise with the strapless knit top part of it all. There's nothing much I loath more than a strapless bra, except strapless tops with no structural support!!! Argh!! If there were enough black knit left... I'd turn it into a tank-style stop and whack the skirt on that. Problem solved. Except if you don't have enough fabric... of course! In which case, I can be of zero assistance.
ReplyDeleteAlas, not enough fabric for that idea! I do love the colors of the skirt, though, so I'm definitely going to try to save it in *some* way.
DeleteIt looks lovely. I really like the yoke idea. That way you could combine fabrics and still make it look intentional. The colors and accessories look great on you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Emily, for the encouragement to make this work!
DeleteI'm also of the opinion you should add some sort of straps because that dress is just too lovely to toss.
ReplyDeleteI know! It seems like such a sad thing to not be able to wear this, but thankfully there are lots of good ideas from all of you fellow sewasauruses!
Deletethe dress is really nice, hope you find a strap solution! i feel awkward in strapless dresses also, so i totally get it. i would do a halter type strap attached at the front and tied behind the neck--very summery!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have ties in the back to break up the large expanse of upper back, but unfortunately I don't have enough fabric for that!
DeleteI think all these ideas are good. Please save the dress. It looks really good on you, but it is impractical without some infrastructure!
ReplyDeleteYes, infrastructure! That's the word I was looking for!
DeleteI think it's totally counting to stashbust any amount of fabric!
ReplyDeleteIt looks good and that belt works so well. I like the skirt a lot, I've made a similar one with sharper corners based off a RTW skirt
I'm definitely a straps kind of girl and always add straps to everything. It depends, I guess, whether you feel the need to spend a lot more time on it. Grosgrain straps and halter are easy fixes, the gathered wide strap are classy but slightly more time, a yoke would be adorable but also complicated.
Hahah thanks for accepting less than a third of a yard as legit! Your skirt looks lovely on you (and a much more manageable length), and it makes me want to save mine even more!
DeleteThis is very attractive on you, but if you don't feel secure, well... You could add any sort of straps - spaghetti straps, crisscross straps, lingerie straps that could be adjustable, a halter strap like Ginger said... Or if you like how it looks strapless (I think it looks great!), you can add some 1/4" or 3/8" elastic at the top edge. My favorite RTW knit tube top has elastic at the top and it stays exactly where it is supposed to.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I think even with the elastic I'd fee insecure...like it some awful person walked by and just yanked my top down...not that that has ever happened to me! But I like all your strap ideas!
DeleteI like all these yoke suggestions. You have to try to save it somehow, though, because that skirt fabric and shape is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI know, I like the skirt fabric too much to just donate it!!
Deletei really like the whole look on you, but i too am in the "ugh, strapless!" boat. i like everyone's suggestions above. i was thinking why not take the tube out and attach a tank-top based top?
ReplyDeleteThe next time one of those big Caribbean cruise ships is christened, I think they need to call it the SS Ugh Strapless.
DeleteUm. Right. I don't think I want to detach the skirt from the tube top, because I hate seam ripping! I'd rather add things to the top because that's the kind of lazy I am!
How about a strap like the # 5 pic? The dress looks lovely, but if you don't feel comfortable it won't get worn. I had that happen with a very drapy cowl neck knit top I made. Everyone said it looked good, but I was terrified of what I would show when I bent down to put the leash on my dog. No amount of fiddling with the top worked. I never wore it again.
ReplyDeleteOooh, that's one of my problems with cowl tops too! And I work with teenage boys, so it's *really* a no-no!
DeleteAw, I think it looks great! But I guess moving is kind of important...would this style of sleeve still be too awkward?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.online-wholesale.net/img/p/m/stripes-off-shoulder-short-sleeves-t-shirt-womens-t-shirts-ff-8502bd003-0497-64799-1.jpg
Oooh, I like that look, but I don't think I have enough fabric left to do that! Darn.
DeleteThis looks fabulous. But if it's not wearable, it's not wearable. Sometimes we just need to accept these things.
ReplyDeleteThe style is actually pretty similar to some skirts I wore ALL THE TIME while pregnant (wide waistband becomes a merely adequate waistband), so if you ever get to the SHB stage you can always dig it out and rock it then.
Huh! I never thought about that! If none of my strap solutions work, it's good to know I can still save this for SHB-growing!
DeleteAh yes, I can relate to the uncomfortable-strapless-top dilemma. I always think I'll be okay because I have nothing to speak of to fall out, but when I"m wearing strapless I just feel, well, naked, regardless of the actual likelihood of wardrobe malfunction. I've always been a fan of v-straps - the strap that's just sewn in one place to the center front, then to the two regular strap places in back. Looks like a halter, but actually helps hold up the bodice. The dress is too cute not to save!
ReplyDeleteAaaahh I totally know what you mean! I have the exact same feelings and also wonder about the having nothing to fall out...
DeleteHey Cation - Not sure if you knew, but Pattern Review is having it's annual Fabric Stash Contest to see who can bust thru the most stashed fabric between June 1 - July 31. I thought some of your fellow stash busting sew-alongers might want to join since there are prizes. Oh, and it's free. And fun. Details are here: http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/sewingclasses/board.pl
ReplyDelete(Oh, and I am on the PR Contest Committee.)
That's perfect, Clio!! Thanks for letting me know, and I am totally going to try that!!
DeleteOops. My link photo cropped the t-shirt right out! I didn't make a fence out of knit fabric, honest. But I'm still stash-busting, technical hurdles aside!
ReplyDeleteI really like this, but I totally understand how if you're not comfortable then you won't wear it. I have a few things that I wish i could wear but there is no way i could relax in them. I think it could definitely be saved with straps though, maybe crossing over at the back?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I didn't understand why it's a problem wearing a strapless top - until I bought my first strapless bikini and tried it on. Hm, I'm not blessed with big breasts and nursing only helped temporarily. Not having anything to fall out is not a very nice feeling.
ReplyDeleteDespite I like this set on you, the skirt is just amazing. I think there's a kind of skin friendly glue or tape you could use for the top - I heard celebs are using it to keep clothes in place.
I can totally relate to the insecurities of wearing a strapless top, but it does look amazing on you.
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you save it, the colour and drape of the skirt is lovely and it goes great with the black top! I think it looks gorgeous but comfort must happen. I know that your creative genius will rescue it though!
ReplyDelete