A Risque Golf Dress

Although the golf season is fast coming to a close I've always wanted to try McCall's 6348 as a golf dress. It's a little bit risque but that will distract other golfers when I'm playing badly! I worked on the pattern alterations earlier this summer. They included enlarging the bust dart, adding 1" to the side seams, 3/4" to back princess seams, raising the armhole 1" and adding 3" to the length (should have been 5"). It was another major pattern hack.

Of course it needs pressing but this is where I am now. I omitted the back zipper. If this weren't going to be an athletic dress the fit would be fine. I'd put on some major shapewear and be on my way...but it's not. I should have cut it to be more A-line as athletic dresses usually are. So now what? All of my hard work will not be for naught.

The fabric is from FabricMart and is what men's athletic shorts are made of. I'm going to figure out some kind of gusset to add the extra width I need. Or maybe I should add a "tuxedo-like" stripe of contrasting color. What do you think?

Project Runway

Okay, is it just me or does anyone else thing that Char Glover is a man? It took me about 30 seconds to decide. In the weeks to come, I'd bet money that it'll be revealed! What do you think?

Good Reads

I stole the idea (and picture) for this post from Adrienne. I hope she doesn't mind. Since May I have been on a reading terror. I don't particularly like listening to music when I work out but listening to books gets a huge "thumbs up" from me. Borrowing via internet them from the local library means I can read and do other things like housework, sewing, driving etc without ever leaving the comfort of my home and no late fees! In my book (excuse the pun), it's a win-win situation. I've nearly given up television. So far I've "read":

The Racketeer - John Grisham
I, Alex Cross - James Patterson
Sycamore Row - John Grisham
"B" is for Burglar - Sue Grafton
The 8th Confession - James Patterson
Kill Alex Cross - James Patterson
"A" is for Alibi - Sue Grafton
9th Judgment - James Patterson
The Litigators - John Grisham
The Confession - James Patterson
Cross- James Patterson
Lean Mean Thirteen - Janet Evanovich
Twelve Sharp - Janet Evanovich
Alex Cross, Run - James Patterson
Takedown Twenty - Janet Evanovich
Alex Cross's Trial - James Patterson
Seven Up - Janet Evanovich
Who Asked You? - Terry McMillan
Sizzling Sixteen - Janet Evanovich

I'm currently reading 12th of Never by James Patterson. There are several books that didn't make the cut either because I didn't like the readers voice or they just weren't interesting. I simply returned them early. They include:

Guilt - Jonathan Kellerman
Three to Get Deadly - Janet Evanovich (voice)
Bossypants - Tina Fey
The Edge of Normal - Carla Norton
Two for the Dough - Janet Evanovich (voice)
One for the Money - Janet Evanovich (voice)
The October List - Jeffery Deaver
Dr. J - Julius Irving

Simplicity 2403 Another Golf Dress

I've added another garment to my golf wardrobe.

When this pattern was released several years ago I couldn't wait to add it to my stash. As always, after aging in my stash it was time to do the necessary patterns alterations and finally introduce it to to fabric and sewing machine. If you read my previous post, you'll know that I had to do quite the hack job on the bodice pieces. Luckily I hadn't waited until the last minute and realized I need to remove the 2 1/2" lengthening adjustment. I'd forgot to consider the "belt" as a part of the pattern. So the final adjustment was to remove the lengthening adjustment.

Pattern Description:
Misses' Dress with Bodice, Collar and Sleeve variations
Pattern Sizing:
4-20
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
I think so
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Most of the Project Runway pattern instructions are all over the place depending on what variations you decide to add or exclude. An an experienced sewer I didn't find the need to use the instructions at all.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked being able to color block my version
Fabric Used:
The bodice fabric is a linen and polyester blend while the skirt, collar and button band are a twill and polyester blend
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Where do I start?? I made a 1" FBA, and added 1" to the side seams for "just in case." In the end I did need them. I raised the front armhole curve 1" as well. There is a spot on sleeveless armholes that I try to always remember to raise as they always seem to expose way more front armpit than I think is attractive. I omitted the side zipper. I also omitted any interfacing as the twill was already quite crisp and I didn't want to feel as if I were wearing cardboard. Because I made this dress to play golf in, I shortened it two inches and was still able to turn under an inch and a half hem. I think that's pretty amazing since most patterns are uber short! The collar and stand are very well drafted and fit together easily. When I make it again I'll need to make the upper back wider because although it didn't necessarily feel snug it does look like it is on me and my dressform. My husband and I made my dressform out of duct tape and it is almost an exact replica of my body.

At some point in all of these alterations, I forgot to add the one inch "in case" to the front yoke and pocket. I wasn't going to be deterred by that goof so I  added a wedge and voila'!

I also added "tape" to the pocked curve to keep it was getting wonky.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I'll sew it again because I spent too much time of the alterations to only use the pattern once.
Conclusion:

Overall I really like the dress and will make it again it in different fabric. As far as a golf dress I really like it but the fabric choice was not the best. The twill was quite stiff and unfortunately it did get "butt spung." I added a center back seam because I thought that would help to combat the butt spring but it didn't work. By the end of golf I felt as though I were wearing a hula hoop. While the other golf dresses I made were made from knits had more of an A-line skirt, this one was more straight and the fabric woven. This one proved problemsome while teeing the ball up, removing the ball from the cup and when putting. Also as a woman of a particular age (57 in a week) my waist was stolen in the past year. I could have used the disguise of a belt. No doubt I'll wear it again because I still think it's cute. I didn't get a separate picture of the shoes I wore but I'll bet you can guess which pair I wore from the picture below.

Another Hack Job

I've decided to not wait until an hour or two before golf for my next golf outfit. I'm using Simplicity 2403 bodice A without the ruffle and sleeve.

The bodice will be white while the skirt, collar and button band will be red. Of course I have a two tone red and white shoe to match.

I've already spent time adjusting the bodice and had to do quite a bit of hacking of the bodice pieces. Before beginning any pattern alterations, all of the necessary tools should be assembled in advance. The tools include straight edge ruler, french curve, colored markers, tissue paper, and tape.

The alterations include a 1" FBA, lowered bust point 1", lengthened bodice and button band  2 1/2" and added 1" in case side seams. I also added at the armhole curve for some additional underarm coverage. For the skirt front I have to add the 1" of width to accommodate the FBA and 1" in case side seams. Wish me luck I'll post pictures of the finished dress tomorrow!

Hand knitting for Barbie

Lately I've been wanting to hand knit and decided Barbie size garments are about as much commitment as I want! Here's Ava wearing a two piece outfit knit by me. She's wearing it over a swimsuit sewn by me as well.

 I can see more handknit doll clothes in my future!