A Muslining We Go

While I'm still basking in the euphoria of a finally finished project, I decided to go ahead and do a couple of muslins and get started on some new projects. You have to strike while the iron is hot, right?

First up is skirt #104 from BWOF 11-2008.

What an awesome design! Unfortunately, no one seems to have really noticed it because the picture in the magazine kind of hides it.

I still need to put in a side zipper so I can try this baby on, but it's looking hopeful. I love the lines on this. You get the slimming lines of a straight skirt with the "princess" seams and the flat panels in front and back, and you get the flattering look of an A-line with the side flounces. What's not to love?

I'm also working on this one.

Simplicity 2798 is a Project Runway pattern and get this: It has multi bust cup sizing!!! I didn't even realize it until I pulled it out of the envelope and started exploring. I'm making the plain purple view in the photo. It looks like a good dress for work or church (the only places I go where I would need to wear a dress) and I'm thinking a solid color. Apple green is at the top of my list.

In other news, I wore the pink dress to work yesterday to road test it. I'm going to give it an A-. I love the color and from the empire seam on up the dress is great. I felt like the skirt was slightly "balloony," but that could have been because my fabric was slightly heavier than the suggestions on the envelope. It's not bad enough to stop me from wearing it. Surprisingly, the gabardine was very comfortable to wear and I found myself thinking that I could use more items made from it. (Just what I need considering how hard it was to press, right?) The only real issue that I had with the dress was that the tie around the underbust kept sliding down and drooping between the carriers (belt loops). There are only three carriers- one at center back, and two on the front just below the darts. I think I could easily fix this little problem by adding a little velcro or a snap under the tie to hold it up just behind the side seams. Heck, I could even stitch it in place if I wanted to since it doesn't need to move in the back.

I did get several compliments on the dress and the color was really fun, so I'll wear it, but I definately won't make this view again.

My sewing machine is calling me, so I'm off to work some more on my muslins. I plan to make both of these new projects out of stash fabric, so if I get myself in gear, I'll have a couple more items to add to the stash contest over at Pattern Review!