Photo Shoot!

I finished Burda 09-2009-138...again!
This is the second version in an all-over print poly I picked up at Hancock Fabrics. At least the bolt end said poly... it looks and feels like cotton poplin. Anyway, I am much more satisfied with the dress this time.

Here's the back with the sweet flounce at the hem. Makes climbing up into an F250 pick-up truck a breeze. Ask me how I know...


Here's the "attitude pose."

The neckline is a tad wide for my taste. You can see some slip/bra strap peeking out on the left there. If I made it again I would probably take the neck in ever so slightly at the raglan seams.

As it is, I did make a couple of adjustments since the first version. I folded out a 3/8" petite adjustment above the bust. Then I added a half inch of additional length at the waist. Finally, I folded out 3/8" right above the flounce to shorten the skirt. I wanted this version to be knee length. (If you're interested, you can read about the original adjustments I made here.)

I planned to use purchased bias tape for the hem again, but when I got ready, I discovered I didn't have anything suitable in my stash! How does that happen? Luckily, I had plenty of fabric left over from the dress, so I spent the afternoon yesterday on my hands and knees on the floor with a rotary cutter, cutting bias strips. Oh well. It was worth it.

I wore the dress to church today and it wore very well. It was comfortable and I felt great in it all morning. I just love that flounce! I'd probably be tempted to make it again (and I would never say never) except that the May issue of Burda will be arriving any day now and there are a couple of dresses in it that I'd like to try.

In other sewing news... I am almost finished with my Kyoto Skirt! Here's a sneak peek at the front yoke:

Here's a peek at the back of the skirt:

I LOVE this skirt! It is so cool! And it was fun to make! I still have to stitch down the bias hem facing. I would be completely done by now except that I ran out of thread last night. There is a lot of top stitching on this skirt (all of which is completely optional, by the way, just in case you were considering making one of these!) Stay tuned for finished pics and a thorough review of the pattern!

I'm off to topstitch a hem down. It's been a pretty productive weekend for me sewing-wise. How was your weekend?