I'm going to start recapping my sewing since May 2018. I'll break it into a few posts because this will take a while!
Some notes on format: I'm going to start being more consistent about reporting on costs for a few reasons:
- So I can remember and keep track for myself better, and therefore plan my purchases and spending a bit more strategically.
- To answer everyone's favorite question: do you save money sewing your own clothes? Obviously these cost calculations don't take into account my time, cost of most notions like thread, buttons, and zippers (I usually buy these things without a specific project in mind so it's hard to calculate or attribute 1/4 of a spool of thread to a project...), and the cost of having and maintaining sewing machines.
I have been doing more repeat patterns, so I'm always going to count the cost of the pattern in the first make.
My first version in May was waaay too big and I also dropped the waist a bit too much. I do have a long waist, but I didn't account for the skirt pulling down the waistline. I think I also added length to the skirt.
The result was a bit shapeless and dowdy and my chosen fabric wasn't substantial enough to support the pocket contents, rendering them pretty useless for carrying my phone. Also they were ridiculously low because I added length to the bodice.
Mistakes were made, ok?
I made View B with the ties in the front darts.
Glorious Garden Rayon Challis: $7/yard * 2 yards = $14
Pattern: $12
Total Cost of Fringe Dress 1: $26
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| Sleeves without the tie-backs. |
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| Sleeves with the tie-backs. |
I finished my second Fringe Dress, this time View A with buttons and no ties, in August.
I sized way down, and measured the actual pattern so it would be more form fitting, very little ease. I figured with the buttons (a way to get in since there was no ease) and no ties (no way to cinch in the waist) that this was the better way to go.
Since I only had 2 yards of fabric, I didn't have the option of lengthening the skirt, and the shaped hem meant that the sides were a bit scandalous if I wanted to wear it to work. So I inserted a little piece into the sides of the finished skirt to bring the hemline down. You can't tell in the pictures - win!
I barely had enough fabric to make that work - this was one of those projects where all that's left is a few tiny scraps. Another win!
If it's not obvious, I like the second version much better. The fit is much better and it's definitely one of those dresses I wear to work and get compliments on. I have been wearing the first one around the house and as kind of a beach cover up. Maybe I'll go back and alter it to be smaller, but it's more fun to make NEW things!
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| I finally got new shoes to wear with dresses, y'all! It's a Christmas miracle! |
Fabric: Heritage Rayon - Treasured - Kermes: $13.20/yard * 2 yards = $26.40
(Purchased from Michael Levine / LowPriceFabric.com. Also available from Fabric.com and other retailers.)
Pattern: $0 (second make)
Total Cost of Fringe Dress 2: $26.40
I'm pretty sure the Fringe Dress was the Dress of the Summer and there are many gorgeous versions to be found on the interwebs. It's a quick, satisfying make and very on trend. I'm obviously a very trendy person, so... j/k I'm amazed I made something trendy while it's still in style - YOLO!
OK, I'm exhausted by this whole blogging thing. I also just spent an hour going through my fabric receipts adding things into a spreadsheet so that I could actually add up the costs. Note to self: keep better track as you buy things.
So until next time: Sew sexy and don't sew your fingers.*
*I actually sewed my fingers twice this summer. A story for another time.
