Ding dong! The witch is dead!

That's the song that was playing through my head as I sewed the final stitches to this: my longest running UFO to date.

(UFO=unfinished object)


It is New Look 6123. 

I aimed to make view B. And I started it around October last year. It has been a very slow process, but I have kept plodding with it, shockingly! It hasn't languished in a cupboard, but has been halfheartedly stitched about fortnightly, but completed all of a rush during half term.

At the time of cutting I was clearly in a low patch in terms of confidence as I cut a size 18. If I cut it now, I'd cut a 14. But hey! What difference can 2 sizes make?! Well...

It actually isn't a disaster. It fits badly, but I quite like the comfy, loose fit. I don't have a defined waist in it, but I'm confident enough these days that that's no problem. I had to take at least 6 inches off the upper back after sewing it as it was sagging badly! Here's the back. If you look carefully you might be able to see the pleats...
See 'em? At the top? Unfortunately I was lazy and just sewed straight through the facing underneath, so it's made parts of the neckline a bit bulky.

And now let's talk sleeves. The sleeves for the pattern were super pretty. Flutter sleeves. They even sound pretty. But what you can't tell about those sleeves is that they're a MASSIVE FAFF!! Yep. About 3 minutes in I decided I couldn't be bothered, so I just attached facings and went on my merry way.

I'm not pouting, I'm 'ooof'ing. It was chilly!

Confession: I didn't use matching thread for this dress. I forgot to buy thread when I bought the fabric, then when I was in the haberdashery weeks later I remembered the 'purple dress' and bought purple thread. I'd have been better with blue. Oh well.

Second confession: I didn't (have never!!) prewash the fabric. Hence after the hours making it, I wore it, washed it and the colours ran. The white flowers are now slightly pinkier. I refuse to lose sleep over these issues, but I am confessing to my crimes for the sewing world to judge me.

Maybe one day I'll start following sewing rules, but for now I just want stuff DONE so I can enjoy it!!

Emily
p.s. I didn't finish the seams properly either. *shame*

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