An idea becomes a dress

Here it is my very first entirely from scratch custom tailored summer dress. I took my measurements, drafted a pattern cut the fabric sewed the dress and did alterations to make it fit just right.  I learned how to insert an invisible zipper, sew french seams and mock french seams,  and create darts to help fit my curves.

And I did it all in a bright bold orange. I decided to take a color leap and choose something bright. I normally wear more neutral colors.

Using this great book, I learned how to draft patterns. Creating the pattern was a lot of fun. There are so many measurements that go into creating a custom garment that it's no surprise that clothing bought in retail stores never really fit right. I am amazed after a millenia of making clothes that fit us perfectly we've stopped making them for ourselves. Not to say I won't occasionally buy something from the store, but I am totally hooked on making my own clothes!

Drafting your own pattern certainly takes more effort then just buying a ready made pattern as you need to make a muslin before cutting out the dress. The muslin is a mock up of the real thing made from either cotton muslin or cheap fabric similar to the one you are making the garment from. You basically do a test by cutting out the pattern you drafted then basting it together and trying it on. Then make adjustments where need and transfer those to your pattern so you can have the perfect fit. I used really cheap muslin I picked up from an estate sale a few weekend ago.

I made this pattern to be a maternity dress. There is a lot of room in skirt for by big belly to grow. I think I will make another dress out of this only in knit fabric. This one is done in woven fabric and doesn't have much stretch. Which is okay, but knit is nice for playing with energetic toddlers. I can't wait to make pattern for my clothing post pregnancy! And for Daniele and our kids.

Note: I worked on all of this at night after Sofia went to sleep. Sewing with her around is totally impossible as she wants to help pull out pins and cut fabric and sit on patterns! Oh my little seamstress.