I’m “sitting on the fence” with this one… (and my #mmmay15 final post)

Linda of Lányos Handmade / Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!

9 years ago

I’m not sure which way to go. Do I make this dress out of this fabric, or not? I’m almost ready to pack up my fabric and wait until something better comes into my life!

I found this remarkably appropriate message on Facebook today.

So here’s the dilemma …

I was given this lovely pattern by my sister. She used it to make her wedding dress. It is now a vintage pattern. It deserves some special attention.

I was sure I found the perfect “summery” fabric! This fabric is a Misty Stretch ITY Slub Jersey Knit, 96% polyester, 4% Lycra. It feels very light-weight…almost Tee shirt weight though.

I cut the fabric pieces out (there are not many – front, back and sleeves) and serged together the side seams for the dress. But it just didn’t feel right. So I tried on the sewn together pieces (over my clothes).

It is lovely fabric. It moves nicely in the breeze. I love the flower design.

But, as you can see in every photo, the side seams are especially puckered the closer you get to the hem line.

Is the puckering due to my serger tension? I suppose I could try sewing it carefully on my sewing machine with the proper needle, stitch and tension.
Or perhaps this polyester/lycra is not the right fabric for making this dress? The suggested fabrics are many, including crepe and synthetic jersey. Not that I ever follow suggestions. 😉
Or maybe this fabric is stretching too much in the length due to its weight and is being held back by the side seams, causing the puckering? Perhaps sewing in the elastic waist band properly will hold the fabric up.

So what do you think? Should I keep on with this lovely fabric? Or should I stop before I am too far committed (and end up wasting it all)?

I do have other fabrics I can use for this vintage dress pattern – wovens and knits. I do have other patterns I can use with this flowery fabric too. Let me know your thoughts!

In the meantime, here is the last of my #mmmay15 posts. I had a lot of fun organizing and planning my makes this year. As a bonus this #mmmay15, I have filled some gaps in my wardrobe, and learned how to take photos of myself with my tripod! I think I do much better if I don’t try to smile at the camera. (There is no one to smile at!) Now I know why fashion models gaze off into the distance. So, Thank you So, Zo…What do you know? for organizing #mmmay15 every year!