Oh, it's not all puppies and popsicles here at A Dress A Day headquarters. Not everything that rolls off the assembly line gets worn, or even looked at without a shudder. This is one of my more spectacular failures. So spectacular, that even though this was completed more than a YEAR ago, I couldn't bear to even look at it until now.
It shouldn't have been this way. I've made this particular pattern three or four times, and it always looked pretty good, as far as I could tell. (I made it twice in Liberty prints, one lawn, one Jubilee, and once in a big print of pink roses.) And when I saw this fabric, shimmering happily on the computer screen, I figured, "Oh, fun, HoJo's blue!"
I swear, if I had a time machine, one of my to-dos, right after killing Hitler and visiting Claire McCardell, would be to go back and prevent myself from pushing the "place order" on this one.
It was pretty obvious from the beginning that this was the wrong fabric for this dress; it was too stiff, even after a few washings, and it showed every little spot. Yet I kept on. I didn't try it on at all (why should I have? I'd already made the pattern three times) until I was about to hem the skirt. Then -- oh lord. The dress hung as if it were made of cardboard, and the color left me looking like some minor character from a horror movie. Not any character with a name, but someone you see in the credits noted as "Zombie Girl Who Loses Eyeball in Punch Bowl." Yes, it made me look like a bit player in Zombie Prom, which, now that I check IMDB, is not just my fevered invention but a real actual movie coming out this year. (Why didn't they call me? I have my own costume.)
The only redeeming feature of this dress is the buttons. They're vintage, and very nice. I'm not quite sure what to do with the rest of it. I could cut it up for an A-line skirt; if I kept this color (which seems to be my Kryptonite) away from my face it could still be cute. I could just put it in the pile for the Salvation Army (they take anything); I could put it up on eBay (sucker born every minute); I could send it to the producers of Zombie Prom II: The After Party; I could find a farmer and offer it to him for his scarecrow. Lots of options. The only option closed off to me is actually wearing this as is.
Oof. Well, I guess you can't do anything about the stiffness, but it might not be so noticeable in a darker color. Would it be worth dyeing? Would it even take dye? What is that stuff?
Posted by: IA | 06/15/2006 at 07:51 AM
I vote for the Salvation Army option. I can't tell you how delighted I've been to find handmade items at my local thrift. I don't sew, so even things that don't quite work have a special charm. Long enough to get it out of the store and wear at least once.
Posted by: Anonymous | 06/15/2006 at 08:06 AM
Well, you could wear it to the premier of "Snakes on a Plane", then donate it. Some dresses are meant to be made up in prints. This is obviously an example of one.
Posted by: Anonymous | 06/15/2006 at 08:17 AM
I am in total sympathy. I even blogged about one shirt and pants thing I made and while I was making it, I realized it would be horrible. It has to hang it the closet for a while before I lose my attachment (even if it is a negative attachment) and then I can put it in the Sally Ann pile.
Posted by: JuliaR | 06/15/2006 at 08:24 AM
i actually think that the bodice is not bad and picture it without the sleeves,i dont like the buttons they make it worse but i think with a fabric like that u did what you could...nice blog by the way
Posted by: Anonymous | 06/15/2006 at 08:47 AM
Well, honestly, I think the dress is pretty fly. It maybe use some..umm..shoes..or some..ah, hell. I know nothing about women's clothing.
Posted by: The Mixocologist | 06/15/2006 at 08:56 AM
Save the buttons and use the fabric to make puppets.
Posted by: peg | 06/15/2006 at 09:14 AM
Well, save the buttons for sure...and tell us where the pattern is from. I love the neckline.
Posted by: Juno | 06/15/2006 at 10:13 AM
That's just a bad fabric -- no drape. Ship it off to Goodwill and get the guilt out of your life.
Posted by: Jonquil | 06/15/2006 at 10:59 AM
Hi Erin. Great site! to comment, the blue is very pretty, however I do agree with you that the material looks stiff and would maybe go better for a two piece jacket and skirt instead of such a snazzy style (love the idea)Please visit me sometime at;www.resourcewriter4u.blogspot.com.Your comment/feedback is most welcome.
Posted by: C.T. | 06/15/2006 at 11:27 AM
Make a skirt out of it. The upper part doesn't work because the fabric is too stiff, but if you make a skirt with a high waistband, it may work. You even can use the buttons. Wear it with a nice shirt, in white if this color suits you. Something a little bit fifties like, with nice shoes. You even can make a little jacket of the upper part, just loose the pleats. You can sure give it to the salvation army, but then somebody else has to wear it ;-). I like your blog by the way, very inspirational. That Duro pattern is very tempting. I don't know how long I can hold out and not buy it. Which is very awkward, because they want almost as much money for shipping the thing to Europe, as they want for the pattern.
Posted by: craftingchaos | 06/15/2006 at 11:44 AM
Love your site! I like craftingchaos' idea for this dress- make it a skirt.
Posted by: demondoll | 06/15/2006 at 11:56 AM
We have all sewed up a 'Klunker" or two so don't worry too much about it. In this case, do as I usually do (have a just finished skirt that is on it's way to charity), replace the buttons with blue ones and give it to charity. The thing is, there is someone out there who will look great in that dress. Time is too precious to worry about resewing a fabric that is not great for you.
Posted by: patsijean | 06/15/2006 at 12:49 PM
The cut looks like a flattering one. I'd love to know the pattern if it's a contemporary one.
Posted by: Anonymous | 06/15/2006 at 01:39 PM
Yeah... that is horrendous. *rofl* Being uncreative and unartistic myself, I can't even tell if I should trust you that it's a good pattern underneath... E-bay. Suckers are born to be ripped off. ;-P
Posted by: bani | 06/15/2006 at 02:57 PM
do u make these dresses?
Posted by: Kiaargh! | 06/15/2006 at 03:40 PM
that is a beautiful dress!
Posted by: Jennifer | 06/15/2006 at 04:03 PM
I vote for making it into a skirt.It doesn't quite work as a dress, but almost. Definitely save the buttons, even if the rest of it goes to the Salvation Army!
Posted by: Absinthe | 06/15/2006 at 06:21 PM
You should nip and tuck it to a more flattering fit. I love the colour and buttons. Looks very vintage
Posted by: C.A. | 06/15/2006 at 06:52 PM
You are right, the fabric is too stiff. May I ask what the pattern is? It looks cute. I love the Darling Dress a few posts down. I wouldn't wear that print, but it would look great on my mom. I am kinda new to blogspot, just browsing around.
Posted by: Danielle | 06/15/2006 at 07:36 PM
What a lovely blog
Posted by: HAL | 06/15/2006 at 08:39 PM
The color and material reminds me of the past....when I was Amish and I made my own dresses. Back then we had to use a lot of stiffer fabrics, but now the Amish ladies do have more fabrics to choose from. Except for the neckline and the buttons the dress seriously reminds me of my past!Blessings,Lue
Posted by: LookinginmyRearviewMirror | 06/15/2006 at 09:33 PM
I very much enjoy the writing on your blog.
Posted by: SelahWrites | 06/15/2006 at 10:20 PM
Hi, that dress looks bit old fashioned and the material is too stiff. I would like to visualize that dress with no sleeves & shape it off from the hip.. it would look nice.:)nice blog
Posted by: Rasini | 06/15/2006 at 11:08 PM
nice blog a lot to read:)))
Posted by: one ben bir sey | 06/15/2006 at 11:15 PM