You're lookin' swell

Dolly has been dressed, even though she's not quite 'fit' for purpose yet - I have to take accurate measurements and adjust her accordingly.  This is the guide I'm using - while it's one thing to have bought a dressform,  it's pointless without making sure that it corresponds exactly to my body shape. So some padding is in order!

I think something that fazes you when you're new to sewing is buying the right sized pattern, and then cutting the correct pieces.  There's some information here and here about how to update patterns - but it's vital to remember the sizing on commercial patterns is usually quite a bit smaller than manufactured retail clothing - so if you normally take a size 10, you might end up cutting out a 14.  Now it's only numbers, don't get hung up.  Besides, if you are going to the trouble of making your own clothes, you might as well take the time to get them to fit perfectly and that can sometimes mean mixing two different pattern sizes.  I need to take that advice to heart - the dress that's on Dolly is one that I started last summer, using fabric I bought in New York.  I was obviously being delusional when I cut it out - the bodice is waaaay too big and the skirt is both too small and poorly joined to the bodice, catching the span of the skirt badly.  And no, you can't see a closer picture.  Or the back. 

Looking at it on Dolly is actually really illuminating because I suspect that I have a long back, and need to either adjust patterns appropriately, or find suitable shapes.  Then when I find that magical pattern, hah, I'll be able to pin the pattern pieces to Dolly to make sure that they are the best sizes.   I want to resurrect this because I'm actually happy with the way that the really-loud pattern falls across the bodice and skirt so it's worth a bit of work.  I should say too that this not working out didn't bother me that much and I did go on to make others, for weddings and for social things..

But first I have to get something ready for the May wedding.  I'm tempted to use 6375 again because it is truly easy and very flattering.  But that seems like a cheat.  However, I have some lovely fabrics that I don't want to bugger up... with Dolly to help, I have a little more faith in myself.

So many possibilities:

Some of the fabric possibilities.  I guess there will be no chance of fading into the wallpaper.  Unless it's Liberty print. 

Lots of fun party and birthday stuff to report, Saturday was wonderfully good fun.  More on that later this week.  The clocks have gone back and it's gloriously light out now - spring really does feel like it's sprung now.

Comments

[raspberry]

It has to be the top pattern, with the red, pink and orange swirly flowers, that would be delicious! and very H&M new Madonna range.
And I (!) would have black or red as the contrast!

I think you would look blooming wonderful!!!!

[Thimbleanna]

It's fun to see your dolly all dressed up. I was thinking about dress forms the other day as I've seen so many in blogland. I know that they adjust to bigger sizes, as in girth, but you mention a back length. Can you adjust height, etc. And what about location of breasts and bums -- some are more perky than others, you know. Can you adjust for perky/saggy/ness??? ;-)

[kirsty]

With those fabrics and those patterns, you can't go wrong! They are all gorgeous :)

[KBG]

I really like the dress in the third pattern - the one the girl is wearing. Very flattering.
And speaking of altering patterns - have you looked at getting SewU? It came with free patterns and has instructions for sewing/altering clothing. Basic to advanced stuff.

[Jade]

Agreeing with Raspberry here. The top pattern will look very fetching with the right-most fabric on the top row, maybe with some contrasting fabric in red or dark mauve. Your dress-in-progress is looking good, too. Love the fabric you used.

[Julie]

Oh lucky Dolly - she's going to be the best dressed girl around with all of those wonderful fabrics. I wish I could sew it looks so enticing!!

[ruth singer]

Top tip - set the bust setting to match your upper back width, then put a bra on Dolly and stuff it to get (almost the) right size bust. If only a little adjustment is needed, shoulder pads can be trimmed down and pinned on, which works in all manner of other places too. In the same way, you can use an old or second hand skirt (with a bit of stretch) that fits you, and then pad underneath to make the bottom half the right shape. These mannequins just aren't woman-shaped at all!!
even better of course, is to make your own pattern from your body, then you can adjust all patterns to fit you perfectly - in theory at least!!

[mj]

I'm almost done with making the third dress down. It's worked out well- the things that freaked me out were because of the slippery fabric I was using and the fact that I didn't start with enough. And it looks great on.