Under control- Shaeffer dress #2

And it’s done!  Lots of hand sewing, but the actual work on the machine was very straightforward.

I decided to pick and choose which ‘couture’ aspects of the dress to go with, and because I’ve made it in ponte instead of the suggested crepe, I didn’t need a zip or the shoulder fastening.  I’ve also not bothered with a waist stay, as that is to keep strain off the zip.  I think it would be quite difficult to make this dress very close fitting without either huge luck in being a stock size, or masses of alteration in order to keep the swirls even…so why bother at all?

I did the thread basting and marked all seamlines, to make sure I matched it all up neatly, then basted, then did all the main sewing on the overlocker.  I took care to sew from bottom to top, to reduce the chance of stretching it out.  Some of those curved panels have right angles in them, very interesting!

Another oddity- the instructions tell you to fuse the neckline interfacing directly to the dress fabric- I’ve NEVER seen that suggested, and ignored it, fusing mine to the facings in the normal way.  I attached them at the neckline only with the sewing machine, then overlocked to reduce bulk and keep a little stretch in there.  I then more or less followed the instructions, folded all seam allowances at the armhole in, pressed, and hand sewed the facings into place.

I also turned  a very narrow hem and herring-bone stitched it into place.  The instructions call for miles of bias tape, but there seemed no point as this fabric does not fray.  I just wanted a neat finish.  Several hours of hand sewing then, but I’m very pleased with the finished result, and think it will work well dressed up or down.  I’ve tried it here with various accessories, what do you think?