I usually don't post on here but I have seem some of the amazing costumes you guys have put together and wanted to get your help on something. I'm wanting to make an Alice costume for myself and i found this pattern http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m4948-products-5176.php?page_id=494
I am very new to sewing so i was wondering how easy this patter would be for a beginner. If there are any tips or tricks you can give me i would greatly appreciate it as well :)
thanks!
No particularly difficult elements, but lots of them. Do a toile first to check the fit, and don't make it out of shiny satin! Cotton or polycotton would be best.
Practice sewing straight seams. And read all the instructions so you are familiar with what is needed. If there are things that are new to you, practice them on scrap fabric before doing them on the dress.
definitely do a toile (mock up) in a cheap muslin fabric first.
It will help you work out the kinks in the instructions and help you get a better fit.
Quote from: Lady Dina on March 15, 2011, 06:36:41 PM
I usually don't post on here but I have seem some of the amazing costumes you guys have put together and wanted to get your help on something. I'm wanting to make an Alice costume for myself and i found this pattern http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m4948-products-5176.php?page_id=494
I am very new to sewing so i was wondering how easy this patter would be for a beginner. If there are any tips or tricks you can give me i would greatly appreciate it as well :)
thanks!
I agree with others, a toile is very useful. You can use the foulest, cheapest fabric you have, what you want is to see how the seams and size fits YOUR body, and eventually do adjustments before cutting the fancy fabric.
Second, I agree about avoiding sating and the likes. Those fabrics are good to use when the bodice consists of several layers (double layer of lining, boning, padding etc). But if it's the sole layer, or one of two layers, it'll be slippy and wrinkly. Also, most available are synthetic, and it's often warm to wear directly on your body - it doesn't allow the skin to breathe. A cotton, linen or affordable silk like silk dupioni is easier to handle and more comfortable.
Also, in the picture in the link it seems like she's wearing a farthingale (stiff underskirt reminding of a crinoline, only narrower). It'll greatly improve the look of the skirt. But wearing a regular underskirt will also help lifting the overskirt.
As a personal preference I would make the neck opening wider, but that's highly optional!
Are you making the Queen? When you choose your fabric look at the cut edges and see if it frays or ravels badly. If you will be cutting and working with gathers and that applique heart it will be murder if the edges disintigrate on you. Another good reason to avoid satin.
thanks everyone for the help! you guys are awesome :)
ill be making the alice one pictured on the little girl just in an adult size. i didn't even think about doing a mock up one first so that really helps me. hopefully it will turn out ok!
Something else I do personally is make my patterns permanent(ish) by ironing them onto fusible interfacing. This way I can make adjustments on the fly without tearing the pathetically thin paper to shreds, and for patterns I use over and over again, it's really helpful that I don't have to go and rebuy it because I've stuck too many pins in it. It also keeps it from sliding around as much on the fabric you're using.
Quote from: cofeeguru on March 18, 2011, 08:02:25 PM
Something else I do personally is make my patterns permanent(ish) by ironing them onto fusible interfacing. This way I can make adjustments on the fly without tearing the pathetically thin paper to shreds, and for patterns I use over and over again, it's really helpful that I don't have to go and rebuy it because I've stuck too many pins in it. It also keeps it from sliding around as much on the fabric you're using.
That's brilliant. Do they still fold up nicely once they have interfacing on them?
And Lady Dina, I wish I could remember what pattern I used for the Alice dress I made a few years ago. It may have been the McCalls, but I'm not sure. Whatever it was, though, it was super simple and went together in about 6-8 hours.
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2637/198/117/68202342/n68202342_30820072_6126287.jpg)
That dress came out really cute!
also thanks cofeeguru for the pattern tip!
You're welcome, and they do fold, though not completely flat. I bought manila envelopes to put them in. :) Totally adorable outfit!