This is why I make muslins...

[clevermanka]

But it still doesn't make it any less of a blow when the finished garment doesn't fit.

I made up a charming little shift dress/jumper last night. Something I could wear over a thin turtleneck or a blouse for a little retro mod-style winter fashion. Same size, same pattern company as the highly successful summer shift dress I made earlier this year. The pattern envelope and line drawings show a loosely fit A-line mini-dress. In actuality, what resulted was a slim-fitting sheath that I could barely pull on over my chest and didn't have a hope in hell of fitting over my hips. I squirmed back out of it and measured across the hipline of the garment. Barely thirty-eight inches. WTF??? On the pattern envelope, it says the finished garment at the hipline should be forty-one inches.

Shit.

So, does anyone on my f-list have a desire for a little black dress (I make my muslins out of inexpensive but nice fabric, you know, for the occasions when the muslin does fit), with a dark orange stripe detail around the neckline and down the front? I estimate it would fit someone 36-26-36. I haven't seen those measurements since high school and I don't have any interest in starving myself down to that size again. In all honesty, I don't know if my hips can get back down that small without significant loss of ass (and nobody wants that). I haven't hemmed it yet, but everything else is finished. And it has one of the best zipper jobs I've ever put in. Of course.

Tonight: a tried and true pants pattern that I've worn for years. I need some positive reinforcement.

Comments

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Damn, it sounds lovely, how about Reba?

I make my muslins out of inexpensive but nice fabric, you know, for the occasions when the muslin does fit

Clever girl! I need to get with you on some advice for vintage patterns. I really want to make a couple of these shirts.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Who's Reba?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_luaineach/]

I don't know if my hips can get back down that small without significant loss of ass (and nobody wants that).

Well, as we already know, I am cursed with zero ass, so I'll take it, if you want to pop it in an envelope and pop it in the mail.

Email me what you want for it (and shipping).

And if you'd rather just give it to some local, 'tis cool.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Looks like you've got it covered. I was thinking about one of Jo's girls, but I think I'm mis-remembering her name.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I don't know anyone local who is 1) an appropriate size for the dress and 2) has my taste in fashion. But I'll wait for the rest of the day to see if I get any local nibbles. If I don't, I'll happily ship this off to you. Email me your snail mail info.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. I dunno. The only person I could think of would be Barb (the gorgeous, tan blonde) but she's got an ass. Everyone else is too tiny or way too big.

[affreca.livejournal.com]

I'm interested, and roughly those measurements, but only because I'm damn short. What is the length, roughly?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

About 38", measured from back neckline to hem.

[affreca.livejournal.com]

I'm interested. I can swing by Wescoe tomorrow if that works for you.

[sagendal.livejournal.com]

I'm always up for new clothes. Though I am sorry about the outfit. I have had similar experiences with crafts and sewing projects.

[chronovore.livejournal.com]

I don't know if my hips can get back down that small without significant loss of ass (and nobody wants that).
¡HALLELUJAH!

Not only would it be comical to see my torso in a 26 inch waist item (and you'd see A LOT of torso), I am pretty sure my work has a no-transvestitism policy. My loss.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Oops. Well, I didn't get this until Friday morning, and I don't usually keep my failed sewing projects at work. =)

Would you like to stop by on Monday? Please let me know by 5:00p today (Friday) since I don't have email at home.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

¡HALLELUJAH!

Just for that, darling, you get The Icon of Ass. *Mwah!*

[affreca.livejournal.com]

I'll stop by on Monday.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Cool! See you then.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, I was sick on Monday and didn't come to work. If you're on campus today (Tuesday, 11/21) please come by!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. Missed you on Tuesday, too. If possible, email me by Wednesday to let me know if you're still interested. If you're not, I'll mail it off to _luaineach. Thanks! Have a good few days off campus!