Tried 'n True Pattern

Stash-busting 2015:  New Dress and Jacket for Mama R

The pattern:  

This is Mama R's tried and true (TNT) pattern. Whenever she asks for a new dress, this is the pattern that she requests. Personally, I would be bored if I had a closet full of the same design but she loves it and who am I to judge. Besides, the style does look good on her.  

The design changes for the dress remain the same as the last million (actually, I've lost count) versions of this dress:  

• remove the the centre front seam by cutting on the the fold
• insert a centre back zipper
• grade the raglan sleeve seams down to a size 10, raising the neckline in the front.  
• lengthen the sleeves
• shorten the hemline 
• add front pockets.

This is the first time I made the jacket. The back pleat was removed along with the button and loop closure as per Mama R's request. I cut a straight size 14 and the fit around the shoulders, neckline and body of the jacket were perfect. Of course, I had to shorten the length of the jacket by 3 1/2 inches and the length on the sleeve by one and three-eighths.  

The Fabric:  

The fabric is from my stash. It is a cotton stretch sateen fabric that I picked up at Fabricland this past spring. My plan was to make a jumpsuit (Vogue 9075) until Mama R spotted it. I had three metres when Mama R expressed an interest in it, leading to a search for more. By that time, there was only one metre left on the bolt and I picked that up as well. Together, I had enough fabric to make the dress and jacket.  

I pre-shrunk the fabric by laundering it in the washing machine, a tumble in the dryer, and a good pressing before cutting the fabric. The fabric and colour handled well with these treatments. If you spot this fabric I would highly recommend that you pick some up--it really is lovely fabric.  It handled well during the laundry process and it is a dream to sew.

The Stats:

Fabrics:                     4  metres cotton sateen @ $59.66 ($22.00/metre - 40% off + taxes) 

Interfacing:               1.4 metres fusible interfacing @ $4.75 ($6.00/metre - 50% off + taxes)

Basting Tape:          1.12 metres @ $0.98/metre = $0.00 (birthday gift)

Thread:                     100% cotton thread @ $2.29 ($4.05 - 50% off + taxes) 

Zipper:                       22 inch invisible zipper @ $2.20 ($3.90 - 50% off + taxes)

Pattern:                      Simplicity 2372 (already priced out many moons ago)

Sewn on:                  Janome 4120 QDC using straight stitch for construction and top-stitching. 

Hand-stitching: Slip sttich (blind stitch) strategically stitched along facing and basting the side seams for fitting.  Hems were all hand-stitched.  

Seam finish:            Serged on Janome MyLock 234D

Mama R is happy with her new two-piece summer outfit.  And even though I lost a fabric that I was all smitten over, I'm really pleased that she's happy and the fabric turned into a nice outfit. Win-win! 

Happy Sewing!