- Mundane Sewing Discussion -

[LadyStitch]

Hey how did the show turn out?

I start my next show this weekend. I am already designing since costumes are due 3/27!  I'm hoping I don't have to make alot of things.  Thankfully I have a WONDERFUL guy as an assistant who is great at wigs and makeup.  Wish me luck!

[LadyStitch]

Ok I'm posting this here because I'm geting 'Jack schmit" from my other sources. 
My director is wanting me to 'possibly' make Simplicity 2648 View B out of spandex for 3 of my actresses. I'm trying to figure out how to do it. 
He would want the dress hugging thier curves, so I assume going 1 size smaller and using a 1/4" seam allowance might work.

Any suggestions would be appreciated....

[gem]

Wouldn't it be easier to find a princess seamed sheath that's made for knits? (Will see what I can dig up.)

[LadyStitch]

I've been digging and haven't found any in the big 3, vogue and Kwik Sew. Like I said, any help would be appreciated.

[gem]

What about Butterick 5554? The only difference seems to be that it lacks the seam at the waist:



Vogue 1218 has different seaming, but it's a stretch knit sheath.

Another option would be to use a fitting shell pattern, since they're designed to have hardly any ease and have exactly the seams you need (waistline, princess, etc). You'd just need to draft the proper scoop neckline.

Good luck!

[LadyStitch]

Hmm that might work. I'll run that past the director with my other options.  I'm trying to go for simple dress, with decorations added later so it looks like it is from "under the sea". Especially since costumes are due in 20 days!

[gem]

Don't show him the pattern photo--just the line drawing. He'll be distracted by the weird contrast panel, plus you don't want to give him any ideas!

[LadyStitch]

Heh, I don't want to give him any MORE ideas.    I want to make as little as possible for this show, but still not break the bank on it.

[LadyStitch]

He actually decided to go with option 1 which was Simplicity 2648 view B but made with satin, not stretch. Yay!  Thankfully all the girls are the same size so it shouldn't be too bad.  They will all have different fabrics, but simple pattern 'hopefully' will mean painless construction.  He decided on grecian dresses for the two queens which is fine with me, as it is a relatively simple pattern.  I'll be making 5 dresses but they are to be 'simple' dresses. 
I still say the hardest thing is going to be making the Giant mutant turtle  costumes, and no it isn't a teen age one. 

[LadyStitch]

This is somewhat a pattern review but I wanted to pass it along to all of you.
Simplicity 3647 It is a nice looking Greek/Roman costume pattern. It is classified as easy, but I would beg to differ.  Technically the techniques to make it are not difficult but the sizing will drive you nuts.  I made a dress for one girl that her measurements came out to  needing an XL.  It looks great on her.  However the other dress I made from it turned out terribly fitting.  #1 you need wide shoulders to wear it. #2 because it has a faux wrap front  it will show alot of cleaveage if you are not careful.   My actress measured to a 34 bust so I made her a size S just to be on the safe side since this pattern has ALOT of ease in it  It swallowed her.  Soon as I took it in  I actually should have made her at least an XS to start with.  The bust on the size XS was 37"!  I ended up making it even smaller than an XS so it wasn't falling off. 

If you use this pattern do a fitting on the bodice. Or at least do a tissue fitting on it before you  cut good fabric other wise you are going to be unhapy with the fitting on it.

[Auryn]

I figured I would post this here since its definitely not ren but definitely sewing,
I am in love with this skirt,
Does anyone have any kind of reference that could enlighten me on how to go about creating something like this?? I am sure there isnt an exact pattern but anything that helps with the high waist and or the layered look would be much appreciated.


I am sure I would have to create a petticoat for it to give it the fluffy look and thats no problem

[LadyStitch]

It looks like a 3 layer skirt. The bottom layer is a long ruffle attached to as skirt , with another shorter skirt with a ruffle on it that's bottom hit's 1/2" over the bottom ruffle.   Then a top ruffle.  Then a contrast circle skirt over the top, with  a section cut out. 
The petticoat under it seems like a square dancing petticote, IE one made to stand out.
The waist band, just seems like a 6 inch one.  Just remember when you make a wider waist band, you will need a longer band than normal.  Just as Gem 

When I had to make an extra poofy petty coat I used a walking foot to help me pull all the layers throughmachine.  I aslo set the lower layer at the bottom of band, then next above it on the band, and eat additional layer above the previous.  This helped with bulk under the machine, and with the waist band.  That is propbobly why the waist band is so wide, so you can have ALOT of layers on it.

Hope that helps a little.

[Auryn]

Thanks LadyStitch
that does help.
Do you think it would work to create one base skirt and then add the 3 layers of ruffle onto that singular skirt?? that way its less yardage of material needed and you only need to make one skirt??

[Elennare]

I know one of the big 3 makes a pattern that's pretty close to the underskirt.  I want to say it's McCall's?  The waistband on it isn't as high, and I think it might be a bit shorter than the one in your picture, but it might be a good place to start.  I used it for the skirt of my airship pirate costume, and it wasn't that difficult to do.  If I have time later today, I'll see if I can find the pattern number for you.

[LadyStitch]

Thanks LadyStitch
that does help.
Do you think it would work to create one base skirt and then add the 3 layers of ruffle onto that singular skirt?? that way its less yardage of material needed and you only need to make one skirt??

I think you could make a base skirt, but keep in mind the weight.  Why I say that is that if you have yards of ruffle weighing down on that base fabric, and pulling at the waist band connection, there could be stress on that point.  If you go that route, make sure you reinforce that area, and use a stirdy fabric  (IE broad cloth vs tulle)
A thought I had was to make a base skirt with the bottom ruffle on it. Then attach the upper ruffles to say, tulle or something, but then again, you would have to worry about ruffle weight.

The long and the short of it is, "Watch your stress points, where weight might be a factor."