Sunday, 6 January 2013

Simplicity 2444 - Hydrangea Hell to Happiness

Simplicity 2444 has many variations inlcuding a shawl collar and a big bow on the front.  I went with the simple lines of the plain dress.

On first glance upon cutting the tissue paper I thought the bodice of this was going to be funky so I made a muslin.  Did you hear that?  I MADE A MUSLIN!  Sorry for the shouting, but usually I just cut straight to the chase, cut my fashion fabric and hope for the best! 

This pattern I could tell for sure it wasn't going to fit and boy was I right.

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Check out that neck, crazy big,  Even cutting a smaller size and doing an FBA wasn't going to fix that hot mess.

To fix this, I made a dart on the neck and then pivoted it to one of the darts at the waist.

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I did a tissue fit instead of another muslin and decided to forge ahead.

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I had some help with the cutting out ;)


SUCCESS!

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I am super happy with the fit of this now and am pretty proud that I made it work.

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Look how good that bodice fits now, not bad huh?

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I first saw and loved this fabric at my local Spotlight store, but hesitated to buy it as I already have loads of fabric, but then when I happened to see it again at a different store and it was on sale, I just knew I had to buy it otherwise I would regret it.  It is a cotton sateen with a slight stretch which makes it super comfy.  It is also great for twirling!

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I changed the back neckline, I am quite partial to a back v-neck, but that is not the reason I did it.  My zip was too short so instead of getting another one, I changed it to a v-neck - my Tim Gunn "making it work moment".

Other alterations:
- lowering the front neckline as I find it more flattering if you can see my collarbones
- omitting the facings and using bias instead - I really hate facings  and although they may have given me a cleaner edge to the neck and armholes I am still fine with that.
- I shortened the bodice by 1/2"

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I feel so girly in this :)

I can definitely see me making this again in different fabrics, and wearing it variations with a belt and a cardi for winter.

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Overall happiness: 95%
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49 comments:

  1. Shell6 January 2013 at 04:10

    Beautiful dress & what a great fitting job you did! Love the fabric.

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    1. BusyLizzie6 January 2013 at 20:47

      Thank you - isn't the fabric so Summer-ry? :)

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  2. johanna@projects by me6 January 2013 at 05:02

    The dress looks great! Very good job with the alterations. I have also made this dress, but fortunately didn't meet the problems you did. But also your dress fits better than mine. :)

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    1. BusyLizzie6 January 2013 at 20:48

      I am not sure that everyone would have the same problems as me, might be my damn bustiness and small shoulders?

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  3. Lynne6 January 2013 at 05:49

    Your dress is fabulous!! I absolutely love the fabric, it's gorgeous, and the fit on the bodice is super. The fix on the neckline is genius, I'm going to have to remember that.

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    1. BusyLizzie6 January 2013 at 20:49

      So kind! I just love the fabric it is so cheerful!

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  4. Gail6 January 2013 at 06:26

    Ahhhh, that's so pretty! You did the right thing by going back and getting that fabric. And I'm so impressed with the changes you made. Pure awesome!

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    1. BusyLizzie6 January 2013 at 20:49

      I am so glad I bought the fabric, I hate fabric regrets!

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  5. Mika6 January 2013 at 06:48

    Beautiful! I love the fabric and the fit is perfect!

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  6. Anonymous6 January 2013 at 08:12

    This is SO perfect! What a great dress! It just screams "garden party"! Really, really well done!

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    1. BusyLizzie6 January 2013 at 20:52

      I know right? I forgot, the day after I finished it I wore it to an afternoon party, not quite a garden party, more getting boozed in the afternoon on work-time. Still I felt the dress worked with the scenery as it was held by the river in a garden!

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  7. Kelli Ward6 January 2013 at 12:16

    you look amazing in this dress. LOVE it.

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    1. BusyLizzie6 January 2013 at 20:52

      Thank you, you are too kind. BTW, hope pregnancy is treating you well

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  8. ana50596 January 2013 at 12:52

    Gorgeous dress!! You did a perfect fit, love the fabric. Congrats!

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  9. Sew Blessed Maw [Judy]6 January 2013 at 13:06

    Beautiful dress. So proud you made it work.. I bought this pattern for my 13 yr old ,tiny grandaughter..It was a night mare to fit.. Not sure if others are having trouble with it or not?? But Emily's turned out really pretty on her, but it was no fun to get made,ha.
    Love the fabric..so proud you found it on sale and bought it..pefect dress..

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    1. BusyLizzie6 January 2013 at 20:57

      No offence, but I am glad I am not the only one who had a problem with this pattern :)

      Delete
  10. House of Pinheiro6 January 2013 at 15:56

    Beautiful and well done for making it work x

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  11. Anonymous6 January 2013 at 16:27

    Beautiful fabric and a stunning dress. Well done on making it work.

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  12. Melizza Makes6 January 2013 at 18:50

    Your dress came out gorgeous. What a ray of sunshine!

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    1. BusyLizzie6 January 2013 at 21:29

      Thank you, I feel very uplifted and cheerful when I wear it :)

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  13. Unknown6 January 2013 at 21:13

    It's so fabulous! I know what you mean about wanting to cut right to the chase and not make a muslin. It's always a good idea, but I think I base it on the difficulty of the pattern and rarity/expense of the fabric.

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    1. BusyLizzie6 January 2013 at 21:33

      I detest muslins they seem like such a waste of time and fabric, but I also get that they improve my end result immensely - I am usually torn between doing one or just forging ahead. At least I can normally eyeball the pattern, measure and tissue fit to get an idea. Sometimes though, it would be faster to do a muslin than some of the faffing about I do :)

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  14. Juliet6 January 2013 at 22:53

    So pretty! I have this pattern sitting in my stash, I'm glad I know what to look out for now!

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    1. BusyLizzie8 January 2013 at 19:47

      Thanks - you may not have the same issue, just look out in case!!

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  15. Rosi7 January 2013 at 00:42

    I had to laugh at your muslin comment. I hate making them too. Just usually cut and hope for the best. But I think you have taught me a lesson - your dress is amazing. So flattering when you get the perfect fit. And I really like your 'accidental' V back!

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    1. BusyLizzie8 January 2013 at 20:07

      Muslins just seem like like a waste of time...that is until you don't do one and the garment turns out crap :(

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  16. poppykettle7 January 2013 at 02:17

    That muslin certainly was a hot mess of epic proportions!!! But muslins are always worth it :) Looking schmick!!

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    1. BusyLizzie8 January 2013 at 20:08

      Not sure they are always worth it, I am more of a winging type personality, but slowly being persuaded!

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  17. soisewedthis7 January 2013 at 10:43

    Looks gorgeous! Thanks for including the photo of your pattern alterations! I'm still learning, and the photos make so much more sense to me than just trying to read about alterations from a book.

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    1. BusyLizzie8 January 2013 at 20:46

      Glad I could help! Feel free to email with any queries in the future, happy to help if I can :) Happy sewing

      Delete
  18. Symon7 January 2013 at 18:03

    Oh REALLY super clever fitting & pattern adjustments; the fit is AMAZING!!!! Beautiful job!! :)

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    1. BusyLizzie8 January 2013 at 20:47

      Wow, high praise indeed :) I love this dress so much, just need to attend more garden tea parties!

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  19. Sew Brunswick8 January 2013 at 18:08

    Absolutely beautiful! Love it. I too made these alterations to my S2444 pattern. It is an excellent pattern now. I had a grey dot work version which I wore with a red belt, brooch and bangle. It always got compliments. Must make another!

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    1. BusyLizzie8 January 2013 at 20:55

      Thank you, nice to know someone else had the same issues. I think you are right, now it will be great, but getting it right was a PITA! I am keen to make a solid colour one next.

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  20. tigergirl9 January 2013 at 22:00

    This is gorgeous. I saw this fabric at Spotlight when the sale was on and was tempted too but me and white is an red wine/coffee/curry/pasta sauce stain waiting to happen - I need to leave those fabrics to the less clutsy, more thoughtful (about where they sit) people.

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    1. BusyLizzie9 January 2013 at 22:12

      I have managed so far without getting it dirty - I am sure it will be inevitable one day though!

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  21. Scruffybadger10 January 2013 at 07:26

    Oh yes! This is gorgeous & I'm jealous! What a great fit too, I have this pattern & have yet to make it up. Your version is a very tempting "queue hopper" ! But I shall make sure I plan it in for a spring make. Love the fabric

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    1. BusyLizzie12 January 2013 at 13:52

      Now that I have the fit sorted I have plans to make a winter version too, I think it will be a nice versatile pattern, maybe now even a TNT!

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  22. kbenco10 January 2013 at 23:13

    You look great in this dress, and your fitting fix is very clever, when this sort of thing happens in the muslin it sort of makes me feel smug for not chopping straight into my nice fabric. The fabric is beautiful, resisting it on sale would be extremely difficult and a complete waste of will power;)

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    1. BusyLizzie12 January 2013 at 13:56

      I agree this makes a muslin worth it am I am glad I did it now :-) still loving the fabric, it makes me feel so cheerful

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  23. Cathe14 January 2013 at 05:17

    Thank you for sharing your altered tissue, very insightful. I'm so impressed at how well this dress fits you, truly it is your dress! And that fabric, beyond lovely. I would have jumped all over it. All together it is a beautiful dress and the perfect fit!

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  24. BusyLizzie14 January 2013 at 17:10

    I am glad it was helpful. Thanks for your kind words, I love that sense of achievement when you conquer a challenge.

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  25. Summer Flies28 January 2013 at 05:49

    Wow, that is a nice dress and the fabric is beautiful on you. No wonder you were glad to finally succumb! Hope you enjoy your trip to the UK and Zagreb.. how exciting. A skating judge no less - I'm impressed especially that you come from Brisbane! We are not known for our skating rinks.. skaters; I don't know tho.

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    1. BusyLizzie28 January 2013 at 15:07

      Thank you :)
      and for the trip well wishes, not long to go now! You are right we are not known for out skaters, but we have a few good up and coming, so maybe in the future we will have some famous skaters

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  26. Nessa20 August 2013 at 05:07

    Hi there Lizzie - I have just made a muslin of this pattern too and think I am going to need to do the same with rotating the dart - except mine will need to be pinched out of the arm section.
    Do I just measure the width of the pinched out section and add that to the waist dart?
    One other question, I'd like to alter the neckline depth as well. Did you do that after pinching out your excess fabric or before?
    Thanks so much, nessahux at gmail dot com

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