Michelle, ma belle... tres bien ensemble
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Michelle ma belle, sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble,

Tres bien ensemble

Aloha.

7/20/2014

33 Comments

 
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Behold, my pathetic attempt at a hula. Sure, I'm in my backyard, not Hawaii, but never mind. This dress makes me feel like dancing. A couple weeks ago, while unpacking fabric (yes, still), I found this hibiscus floral print. It made me pause. As you well know, I buy the majority of my fabric at estate sales where selection is limited to the curations of the previous owner. But this fabric, I bought on purpose. And, I can't, for the life of me, figure out why. Nothing about this fabric is my taste. I bought it during an end of season sale from Fashion Fabrics Club, at a deep discount, no doubt. It's rayon challis, and it has a beautiful drape. But, the colors are.... interesting, to say the least. I was at a loss with it, so I resorted to my new fall-back plan for questions of uncertainty, Instagram (I'm not sure this approach works for decisions outside the realm of knitting and sewing, precede with caution).

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I asked Instagram to weigh-in on whether this fabric was fabulous or fugly. They came through. Joelle suggested that I sew a Tiki-style dress, and that sparked my memory that I had a pattern in my stash that I've been meaning to sew, Simplicity 9704. It was a perfect storm. I have no attachment to this cut of fabric, so there was no risk to using it as a wearable muslin for this pattern.

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It exceeded my expectations. The fabric is transformed into something far more beautiful now that it's sewn. Sure, there's still that baby-poo color fern in the mix, but the pattern and the fabric cooperate wonderfully. The dress is simplistic in design. Simplicity 9704 from either the late 80's or early 90's is a front wrap dress with a curved hem and three small pleats at the right skirt front. There is only one seam in the skirt, located at the center back. Shaping through the sides is created using long darts. The bodice is underlined to create neat finishes along the edges. And, the dress fastens through a combination of ties and hook and eyes. I had two yards of fabric, and I used it all to make this dress. So, unfortunately, I didn't have the option to match prints across the seams. It also means, I don't have any of this fabric sitting on the shelf staring accusingly from the depths of the stash. WIN! 

This pattern is fairly current as far as vintage patterns are concerned, still, I think the combination of fabric and pattern have a little bit of 50's flair. 

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There are things I will change in my next go-round. First, I need to shorten the bodice. As you can see above, I will have a better fitting dress if I remove a half inch or so. Also, I will modify the contour of the side skirt darts to better fit my body. I think the only other change I will make in my next attempt is to attach the straps prior to attaching the skirt. The pattern instructs to wait until the end of sewing before attaching the straps, but I think it would be easier and cleaner to attach them to the seam allowance from the inside of the lining. Speaking of straps. Do you see how teeny and awesome the straps on this dress are?! I bought a tube turner. It changed my life. It's completely worth the $4. I see a lot of spaghetti straps in my future! 
Overall, I rate this project a success!  I was able to use a pattern I've been intending to sew, I saved a piece of fabric from a slow death in the stash, I learned some valuable fit information, and I ended-up with a wearable garment in the process. Win. Win. Win. Win. 
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Do you have questionable purchases sitting in your stash? Do you sew them, swap them, or stare at them in confusion?
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33 Comments
Sally link
7/20/2014 03:10:18 pm

Love your hula!!! This fabric really did transform once sewn up into this lovely dress! :)

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 12:57:50 am

Haha. Thank you. I'm not as coordinated as I like to think I am. :-D

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Renee Anne link
7/20/2014 03:19:42 pm

That's adorable! I wouldn't have actually noticed the baby poo-colored ferns if you hadn't pointed it out. To me, it just works.

As for questionable purchases in my stash...my stash is yarn, in this case, but I have a few things that I've found myself wondering what I was thinking.

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 12:59:26 am

:-D Oh, leave it to me to tell you everything I did wrong or that's unflattering about my projects. :-D

I have some questionable yarn too. I'm going to find a way to work it out of the stash. I hope...

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Carla link
7/20/2014 03:34:16 pm

Oh wow Michelle, that dress is sooo adorable on you! The color compliments you well.
Hmmm, I have some questionable purchases from when I first started sewing. I'm sure I'll turn them into something.

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 01:01:29 am

I'm sure you'll turn those questionable buys into something fabulous. It's funny how my tastes have changed since I first started sewing. I think it's the result of knowing more.

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Emma link
7/20/2014 04:47:11 pm

It's glorious! I'm glad I don't have fabric like that in my stash, though, because I'd be tempted to sew up <a href="http://wearinghistory.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/newest-pattern-sunkissed-sweetheart-1940s-tropical-separates/">Wearing History's Sunkissed Sweetheart</a> with it, which I have been eyeing for ages, and I don't look good in that kind of fabric, nor will I really wear anything low-cut or midriff-bearing!

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 01:03:41 am

OOOOooo! That pattern! I actually have two pieces of fabric from estate sales that were purchased in Hawaii. They might be perfect for a playful little sun suit!

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sezza link
7/20/2014 07:09:47 pm

I love this dress! the shape on you, with the wrap and curved hem is gorgeous on you. you should definitely make more of these dresses. AND how did I not already follow you on instagram?? rectified now! :D

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 01:12:54 am

Thanks, Sarah! I really like the pattern too. It's a really easy dress to wear and is fantastic for summer evenings out on the patio!

Also, I don't know how we missed each other on Instagram?! Glad we have it worked out now. :-D

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Nat @ Made in Home link
7/20/2014 08:05:40 pm

Love, love, love. How summery this is! It looks great on you, great shape - and really the best use of the fabric you showed on IG!

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 01:14:38 am

I'm so happy to have this piece of fabric off my shelves! I did also really like your idea of a casual short. I planned to sew a pair also, but I used the cut of fabric entirely on the making of this dress. :-/

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Jennifer link
7/21/2014 12:00:09 am

This looks so great on you! And the fabric is perfect for summer time! Your sewing skills just amaze me.

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 01:15:38 am

Thank you! It really did work out in the end. I see this dress and pattern getting a lot of repeat business.

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Evie
7/21/2014 12:43:54 am

Really cute!

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 01:16:18 am

THANK YOU!

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zilredloh link
7/21/2014 01:35:15 am

The fabric looks much better outside than it does in your instagram. Happy you could make a pretty dress out of it.

I often just use my "What was I thinking?!" fabric as my muslins (or give them away).

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 01:18:50 am

Instagram to the rescue! :-D I am finding more pieces of oddball fabric as I unpack. I should set them aside and bring them to our next meetup!!!

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Meg
7/21/2014 05:57:46 am

OMG I LOVE IT! Perfectly breezy for summer, and the spaghetti straps are perfect :) Love the fabric in this style, and the yellow shoes are a marvelous addition. Well done, dearest!

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 01:20:32 am

I am all about those straps! I swear I'm sewing with the main purpose of finding uses for that tube/loop turner. It rocks my world.

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Joelle link
7/21/2014 09:46:37 pm

Wonderful!! I'm happy I inspired you to this dress! The fabric looks great in this picture, and is a great match to the pattern. Very classy tiki!!

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 01:21:30 am

Thank you for the wonderful suggestion! I think that you perfectly saw what this fabric wanted to become. :-D

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Lynn link
7/21/2014 11:53:04 pm

WHAT!?!?!? This pattern/fabric duo is an absolute match made in HEAVEN! I love it. And the added bonus??? It looks simply perfect on you. I love it!

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 01:22:57 am

I can take no credit for the pairing, but I'm so very pleased that it came together as well as it did!

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Lisa link
7/23/2014 11:11:05 am

I think this is one of my favorites that you've sewn! Seriously, it is gorgeous and it looks fabulous on you!

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 01:27:06 am

WOW! Thank you. :-D I love it when things work out better than planned. I really like the way this fits too. I definitely want to make other versions of this pattern . It's a great summer date night dress.

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Pumpkin link
7/30/2014 02:28:01 am

You've done it again! Taking a challenging fabric and transforming it into something beautiful. Wonderful work as always!

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 01:28:28 am

That is very sweet of you to say! Transformations are my favorite part of knitting and sewing. I think it's really wonderful to see the way people manipulate fabric and yarn.

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Sue @ A Colourful Canvas link
7/31/2014 01:19:32 am

Ah....this dress has much Aloha....seriously, I can totally imagine you strolling along Ka'anapali Beach with a flower in your hair. Pretty! I had to laugh at the baby poo fern. Did NOT notice that until you pointed it out, LOL. Really! I agree a win on all counts!

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Michelle link
7/31/2014 01:33:40 am

Oooo. That is a lovely vision to imagine! I will have to make that scenario a reality someday. That fern was the only thing I could see when I was contemplating this fabric. I'm starting to see past it now that the dress is finished. :-)

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steph link
7/31/2014 04:20:15 am

This is one seriously CUTE dress!!!!! (I'm afraid I can't answer your last question----about having questionable things in the stash....I simply can't incriminate myself like that!!!!)

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Anto link
7/31/2014 07:51:14 am

I am loving the strong hawaiian vibes of this dress. It's so pretty!
Great hula skills, by the way. Your yard is so green it could easily pass for a little corner of Hawaii - from what I've gathered from drooling over picture of hawaii online! ;)

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Weaveron Textile link
9/26/2019 10:16:25 pm

Great dress and yes, a lovely photo spot for you!!

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