Perhaps you remember from last week that I asked for some help in choosing my fabric for the #sewtogetherforsummer Wrap Dress Challenge? Well I have my answer now, thank you Kind Readers! It was a pretty close race!
First choice, although it was close, was … the blue Chevron! (for lack or a better description)
Second choice by just 3 votes was … the orange Chevron!
So I have decided to sew both fabrics up … with few slight changes …
The blue Chevron will be my Wrap Dress for the #sewtogetherforsummer Challenge and the orange Chevron will be view A of McCall’s M5974, just to mix things up a bit!
To mix things up a bit more … unfortunately when I set up to cut out my fabrics on the family room floor, I discovered I didn’t have any tracing paper. I have been tracing my patterns faithfully since February 2014!
I find tracing paper stronger than the tissue paper used by most pattern companies – read “cat proof!”
I find I can trace out any size or variations of sizes for each pattern piece without damaging the original tissue pattern piece, which then can be reused to trace a different size next time.
I find it easier to hold or pin a sturdy tracing paper pattern piece to my body, to help with fitting, rather than tissue paper.
I find it easier to fold, tape and cut alterations onto a traced pattern piece. If things really go bad with your planned changes you can always just toss the traced pattern piece out and start again with a new tracing.
I hope that some day when the world is taken over by digital patterns, my paper pattern collection, and that of other collectors, will be appreciated as part of sewing history, and even more so if the patterns are uncut.
Well … I tried to convince myself I could cut this one pattern out, just this one, just this time, just so I could move on with sewing my Wrap Dress. I delayed cutting with a thorough examination of the pattern envelope. I delayed cutting by repeatedly moving Simon off my fabric. Then, luckily, I noticed that I could not use this uncut McCall’s M5974 for the #sewtogetherforsummer Challenge!
Why? Because this pattern has a zipper. The rules state:
“So, for the Challenge, what constitutes a wrap dress? A wrap dress should have a front or back closure formed by wrapping one side over the other and knotting the attached ties or fastening buttons. It should not have a zip. We will also accept faux wrap dresses which cross at the front and are slipped over the head. We will not accept dresses that cross on the skirt but not the bodice.”
McCall’s M5974 is basically a dress with a round neck or a wrap V front with a zipper and an attached belt.
I’m happy I caught my mistake before it was too late! Digging through my pattern stash, I found this Sewaholic Yaletown, a pattern I have made before here.
The Yaletown is a pull over your head, no zipper, wrap bodice dress. And best of all I have made it before so I still have the traced pattern pieces and do not have to go at my tissue paper pattern pieces with scissors!
I did order some pattern tracing paper to make McCall’s M5974 next. I’m waiting impatiently for it to arrive, but as soon as it does, I will cut out my orange Chevron, view A, a simple round neck dress with some waistline details and a zipper.
Notice the stripes in the chevron? I carefully pinned the edges of my fabric layers together, matching the stripes before I cut.
I placed my first cut skirt piece on top of my fabric, lining up the lines in the design of the fabric of both layers. Can you even notice that there is a cut skirt piece on top of my fabric?
I tried to match the design lines in the side seams of my bodice, back and front. We shall see how the stripes in my bodice match when I actually sew the pieces together.
Next step! Sewing!
Are you as obsessive as me? Do you trace your tissue paper pattern pieces? Or do you just blaze right through them with a pair of scissors? 😉
Happy Sewing!
STASH BUSTING WITH THIS PROJECT? 0 metres! I’m still at the cutting stage. (139.7 metres remaining!)
I’m reading this and when you get to the part about zipper and against the rules, I thought, ‘Oh crap. What is she going to do?’ I’m glad you found a pattern that works with the rules of the challenge.
I am glad too! (Although when you have a pattern stash of about 300 you better be able to find what you need! LOL!)
I could never get wrap dresses to fit properly. I never thought about the tracing paper cut out so you could adjust where needed. I bet that would have changed how I feel about wrap dresses. Thanks for the fitting solution.
Yes, with some patterns it takes some work to get the fit right. I’m confident with this Sewaholic pattern I am going to use because I have used it before and it is actually a “faux” wrap dress – the opening is not really much of an opening!
I rarely trace patterns though I can see the advantages. Your print for this dress is lovely, the work you’ve put in matching is going to show it to advantage.
Thank you, I always feel I’m fumbling around when attempting some sewing techniques. Fingers crossed it all works out!
Oh my goodness I found myself holding my breath reading this Linda!!! Phew!!! Can’t wait to see your dress! Xxx
This was a time I was happy that things were going at a slow pace – I had a lot of time to think about what I was doing!
I just dash straight in unless I suddenly remember I ought to do an FBA on EVERYTHING lol. STill no tracing though, I’m a rebel!
Haha 😂 you certainly are, aren’t you! Well like they say, you only live once … so enjoy!
I never cut out patterns. I always trace them as I have so many alterations to do (lengthen everything, FBA, etc.) so I was feeling your pain. I had run out of paper too and bought every packet in the shop when I was home last week.
Bah, hit post by mistake. Your dresses will be lovely. I think that both fabrics are really gorgeous and I am looking forward to seeing what you do with them. Xx
Thank you. It’s Friday the 13th. I couldn’t reply because my internet kept going in and out! 😂
I bought everything in the store last time. It lasted a while. I thought I would try something new this time so I ordered medical supply paper. I’ll let you know what I think of it!
I am not a tracer, unless the alterations are major, then I make a new one out of newsprint…but then when I started sewing, it was back in the day when the pattern was one size! Wow, that dates me! Good job matching those stripes. I always cut one piece at a time when matching plaids or stripes. I always have to remind myself to match at the sea line instead of the edge before I see each seam. One would think by now it would be automatic!😆
I remember that too. One size per envelope. Then they went to three, now ….! Yes that’s a good tip! I sometimes do one piece at a time, sometimes not. Have to remember where the two pieces actually join together for sure!
I have a great fondness for tracing too ever since I discovered that I’m a “peculiar shape”. It’s so helpful for sorting out fit problems. And yes, it is super good to have a paper version that doesn’t tear when you hold it to your body to try out sizing. As a thought, I’ve always wondered about “Swedish Tracing Paper” as it is very tear resistant and apparently it can be sewn too.
I’ve seen Swedish Tracing paper for sale and read that not only can you trace with it but sew it and try it on. The stuff I’ve seen has been expensive, but I suppose one day I will break down and try it!
Linda, you may recall I’m not really much of a sewist, too slap-happy with the scissors. Once I cut a hole into a swimsuit trying to cut a scratchy label out of a seam. So in answer to your question I’m a “blaze through” kind of gal. 🙂
Actually being a “Blaze Through Gal” sounds kind of fun! 😂
I’m about 50/50 with cutting v tracing. I like the idea of cat proof patterns though, even though I have no cats at the moment.
I’m sure your dresses will look great. I’m so glad you spotted the potential rule problem before cutting. Well done!
Is it just my imagination, or has the tissue paper gotten flimsier over the years? I used to smooth it out with my hands without damage, and now even that can tear it? I guess it’s more cost effective?
Yes, I agree. Standards are slipping.
😁👍 nice to know it’s not just me!