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Getting it done, part 21: the washi dress!

I did it!  Just in time for our trip!  I made myself a washi dress! 

I had my eye on this dress pattern for a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time.  When it was first published several years ago, I didn't think I had the skills.  And honestly, back then, I might not have had the skills necessary.  Also, when it was first published, I didn't think I had the time.  (Ha!  I had comparatively all the time in the world!)  And when it was first published, I definitely didn't have the commitment or follow-through to get a project like this accomplished.

So I made the two test versions as wearable muslins -- a shirt and a dress, both out of an old sheet formerly used to cover one of the yellow chairs that is now grey. (Ok, one chair is grey, the other is about halfway there.)  Both indicated a tiny bit more tweaking of the pattern to fit me the exact right way was necessary....I tried a size smaller, since I still had a lot of gaping at the neckline, but that was very clearly the wrong solution when I tried on that muslin (not intended to be wearable, just intended to try on for fit).  So I decided to just go with the modifications I had made to the second muslin -- raising the neckline about an inch and shortening the darts by about a half inch.

It is not perfect....but it is finished.  I've worn it twice now -- once for beach pictures with my family, and once to church. I had to re-attach a small portion of the sleeve between washings, and also have addressed some extra fabric movement around the neckline with some extra hand stitching. 

I LOVE THIS DRESS.  Even if I have to iron it between wearings, even if I have to keep re-attaching bits here and there -- I am very happy with the end result.  Will I do things differently (and hopefully better) if I make another in the future?  Sure!  It's a learning process!  But is this a completely serviceable item in my wardrobe as is?  YES!



Also on the "done" list: monograms on 3 watermelon towels, the monogram on a woven vinyl bag (what was I thinking?), and a pile of mending projects -- bathing suit bottoms, shorts, straps, etc.

Next in the queue:
finishing the grey chair (if sweet hubby cooperates), a Cleo skirt, and a pair of Beatrix blouses

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