August 21, 2013

Sew: Lady Skater Dress FAIL



In the interest of full disclosure, I am posting a recent sewing fail. It's not all peaches around here! Inspired by this dress, I pulled out my beautiful bamboo knit that I bought to make a drape drape top and Tessuti Fave tee. Big mistake! This pattern is not for really drapey fabric. It is designed for more stable knits. Once I started sewing, I knew it was not going to work. I even spent a bit of time trying to save it. I took the shoulder seams up an extra inch and removed two inches off the bodice length. It still hangs way below my natural waist and is close to showing off my bra. And there is something weird happening with the shoulders. They seem very wide.

Oh well, you live and you learn. I will definitely try this pattern again. The style is perfect for casual sunny days. I'm going to try it in one of the Liberty cotton jerseys which are quite stable and very pretty! I will cut the skirt off and attach it to some elastic for a simple skirt.

And I will have to get more of that bamboo knit from Clegs. It is luscious!

L x

13 comments:

  1. Oh what a shame it didn't work! It is definitely good in a stable knit. I used a double knit and had heaps of wear out of the dress. In fact I'm wearing it now!

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  2. Good to know - i've been thinking about trying that pattern but now i'll rethink my fabric choice first. I had some knit fabric in mind, but it might be too drapey, and i'm not sure if i have enough yardage for that full of a skirt. Hope you have more success with your next one!

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  3. Too bad it did not work out this time. Must have been just too much stretch. I did a knock off of the skater dress pattern on the weekend in a drapey fabric too (with a Kwik Sew pattern) and I had some problems too with the stretch of the fabric, but I like the way it looks in a drapey fabric in the skirt.

    Good idea turning the skirt portion into an actual skirt, the fabric sounds to die for.

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  4. Such a shame it didn't work out but thanks for the tip re: stable knit as I have the pattern and had three knits to try it with. Now I know which one to use. :)

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  5. Sorry to hear that your Lady Skater Dress was a fail. Thanks for posting this info because I am sure you have saved many others from making the same mistake...therefore it shouldn't be looked at as a fail at all. Very helpful info and I will be sure to take this on board if I have a go at this pattern (it's been one I have been wanting to try). Good luck with your next one.

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  6. Oh no - I hope you can save some of the bamboo fabric! I guess the occasional stuff up is a small price to pay for original clothing.

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  7. Oh no! So sorry to hear it was a fail! My version used a super drapey fabric as well, but it was relatively lightweight - I think that helped in keeping the dress looking as it was supposed to (as well as *maybe* making the dress a size too small ;). I'm excited you were inspired by my dress!

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    1. The bamboo knit has a bit of weight so it just keeps growing. I'm going to give it one more rescue attempt and take 5cm off each side. Wish me luck!!

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  8. Knits can be so fickle like that! Good luck with your salvage attempt, it would have been a great spring dress.

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  9. I saved it!! I took it in another 5cm on each side and cut out the overlocking on the sleeves. It now skims my body and the sleeves fit a bit better. Not perfect but it will be good for our summer holiday!

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  10. That's a bugger! I've got some bamboo knit from Clegs that I want to use for a tessuti top too! What great ideas you have ;)

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  11. Oh noes! I am i n the middle of trying to fix a red hot lady skater mess at the moment- you are not alone! ;D

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