Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Kwik Sew 3561...A Montage

My life has been in quite the turmoil lately. I feel like George Jetson screaming, "Jane, stop this crazy thing!"



But nonetheless I have wanted to sew. I'm not in the mindset for anything complicate or new at the moment. There is something to be said for TNT patterns that you love and are totally versatile. I call it "Idiot" sewing.

I was going out of town and I wanted some comfortable and verstile dresses. Jeans take up so much room and I really don't find them all that comfortable anymore.

So I made three versions of my favorite dress...Kwik Sew 3561

Version 1: This is the regular shorter length pattern. The fabric is a wool jersey blend but it is so soft and comfy. I feel like I'm wearing jammies. It kind of has a mottled but not quite tiedyed look to it. I skipped the facings and created a neck edging. I serged it on with clear elastic then folded it over and used my double needle to finish it. Love it! Next time though, I will angle the neck edging so it's slightly smaller on the inside and lays better.




Version 2: This is a rayon knit. For this one, I did the same neckline treatment but cut it cross wise so the stripes were opposite. I made sleeve cuffs and a hem cuff in the same manner. I wanted this one a smidge longer.




Version 3: This was an afterthought. I finished it the night before I got on a plane! I bought this gorgeous scarf and wanted to wear it (sorry not in the picture) so I needed a dress. I had this purple that matched it well so I whipped it up in the short sleeves version for something different. I also decided to cut the back in two pieces for a CB seam. It enabled me to curve it along my back for a nicer line. I think I will do this from now on. I really like it.




Before making these I tried to experimenting with other patterns before going back to this one. I did the McCall 6335 but found it ran huge!!! I would need to go down two sizes to get it to fit right. I salvaged the one I made to be wearable but I don't think I'm a fan of it.



I also tried an Onion pattern, the number which escapes me, but it is a raglan sleeved shift dress. It flares more. I kind of like it but my fabric was super stretchy and I think it needs a bit less stretch to hold it's shape. I might finish it. It was practice worthy fabric so no loss.

These were all made back on October, that's how bad I have been at posting. I did do another round of TNT patterns featuring Vogue 8597. This is another pattern I've made before, but about two years ago. I made three versions. Two tops and one I lengthened to a maxi dress...it looks awesome. I made it for my BFF for her college graduation. I did take pictures of me in it so my next post will be of those. I need to take pictures of the tops.

5 comments:

velosews said...

I love the fact that you made a dress to match a scarf, as an after thought. It's a great colour on you and I like the detailing on your stripe dress.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

The purple dress is stunning and I agree you should add the center back seam now on! I love the versatility of this pattern! No one would realize that it's the same dress. Can't wait to see the Vogue maxi dress!

Patty said...

Cute dresses! My favorite is the striped one :-)

K.Line said...

Chaos aside, you look just lovely in these. I can't choose a fave. And I hope everything settles soon.

Audrey said...

Wonderful dress trio. The different fabrics makes each one unique. I never would have guessed they were nade from the same pattern. My favorite is the red one too. I really like the way you changed the direction of the stripes on the cuffs and hem.