So this is what I worked on this weekend. I'm not *thrilled* with it, and so I figured I'd put it up for your comments.
What's wrong:
— the skirt was originally about 3" longer, which was WAY TOO LONG, Texas-compound long, but I'd already sewn on the ruffle, which meant I had to take it up from the waist. Which meant resewing the seams on either side of the center front and back piece (had already put in the pockets, too, so I didn't want to resew those seams).
— I wanted to match the darts with the center front seams so I had to ease the front into the skirt and so it wrinkled. I think if I stay it with some twill tape it will stay stretched, but I haven't done that yet.
— I thought I was ready for an elegant gray dress, monochrome and understated and all that, but now that I have one I think it needs some color. Where? I could sew middy braid around the neck and hem … or, you know, I could just wear a yellow cardigan over it (which is what I'll probably end up doing anyway).
The weirdness on the right-hand side of the picture (left-hand side of the dress) is from pinning it — I haven't put in the zipper yet. Nor have I sewn down the sleeve self-facings.
This dress came about because I (shock, horror!) managed to LOSE the pieces for this pattern:
I don't know where they went; all I know is that I can't find them. Arrgh.
So I took a six-gore skirt from a pattern I had NOT lost the pieces from (McCalls 3036, which I don't have a link to right now), did some rudimentary math and some pattern.jpgece surgery, and put together the skirt. Then I just slapped on the bodice from McCalls 8858 again.
Here's a few more pics:
Anyway, am I not thrilled about this dress because it's inherently not a thriller, or am I not thrilled about this dress because I had to do too much fussing with it? (Actually, the more I look at it the more fun I think it will be to wear, if I try not to overthink it too much. And if I finally wear a solid-colored dress, perhaps I could finally wear some of the colorful jewelry I've collected …)
Thoughts?
A Dress A Day 
without the ruffle it looks like a hospital gown, with the ruffle it looks like a milkmaid apron.lovely color, should be more elegant, less frilly. loose the ruffle, add some black velvet or lace trim to the torso. add a patent leather belt.
LikeLike
Erin, try a crinoline, I liked the silver idea someone else posted, so edge the crinoline in silver ribbon, add some silver ballerina flats or shoes, cardigan in cream. To make it 50’s, add some bodice embroidery or an applique, say of roses.
LikeLike
You know, I agree with Erin that there’s something off about this dress, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Reading the comments was like a crash course in dressmaking – there are some wonderful ideas up there. I now know why I like some things about the dress (ruffles! full skirt! quirky!) and why I don’t like others (proportions are off slightly – would be perfect with deeper ruffles and / or a v-neckline). I learned how to erase those wrinkles between the darts on the bodice, how grey can be a wonderful neutral, and that even expert sewers have “meh” moments. Thanks, Erin, for posting this ‘un – I learned a lot.
LikeLike
I have to agree with other comments about the color, but I think it’s the color combined with that fabric. If you were using a silk taffeta or dupioni the effect would be different and more elegant. I agree with adding some type of trim…yellow, electric blue, lime green, red. Something to make it pop.I also really like the original neckline. How about changing the current one to a “V”. I am partial to the style you currently have, but I think this dress needs more.I’ll be watching your progress as I think you can still make it work and it will look good.
LikeLike
Oh, yes….I DIDN’T want to pile more work on you, but the snug v neck pictured in the original sketch does give an “airier” feeling to the dress. I agree that’s the right direction to go in, if you can muster it, as it would counterbalance the skirt and color.
LikeLike
I love a good contrast of severe colour with soft ruffles- The grey is lovely, I just think it needs a small collar or some kind of grey-on-grey detail at the neckline to balance the ruffle detail on the skirt- plus punchy colourful accessories as above!-Sarah
LikeLike
I’ve started wearing petticoats under full skirts. They definitely make a huge difference. I say, try the dress on with a petticoat or crinoline, and then re-assess what look you want to achieve. There are a lot of good ideas here that could take your dress a number of different directions.Or, if you just can’t stand to put much more work and $$$ into the dress, you could finish it up as is and save it in case you need a somber colored dress for a funeral or memorial service.
LikeLike
Change the neck – it’s too severe and wear some coloured jewellery. Other than that toss it out and move on, sometimes we think all our projects have to be raging successes. Remember the 10% rule?
LikeLike
I’m not a fan of gray (hi, 4 years in all girls catholic high school wearing gray skirts every day for those 4 years)- so that totally clouds my judgement- but not a fan of this dress.
LikeLike
My vote is for not touching a thing. Put it on, go through your closet and try it out with every accessory you have, especially the ones that have been waiting for the right dress to go over! red, yellow, green, orange, multi-colored plaid or florals – there are so many opportunities! I really like it as-is, I think the ruffles are a bit subtle, and that keeps it from looking too much like an apron or a square dancing costume.
LikeLike
I really like the dress…..so vintage. Maybe just a bright color belt with it, and a short cardigan?
LikeLike
I love gray. I make a lot of clothes from gray. I don’t think that is the problem here and I don’t think ruffles fight with gray either. I have had the experience of developing hard feelings toward a dress that wouldn’t cooperate when I was sewing it. I have, for example, a beautiful, linen dress from a DKNY pattern that I have never worn because the fitting issues were so difficult.All that said, maybe you would be happier with a wild belt or different belts, buttons in bright colors as trim on pockets or at the seam line where the ruffle starts. Something funny and unexpected in the gray.I like this dress very much and it is so not Texas compound.
LikeLike
Maybe it’s just the weather here–but that fabric just doesn’t seem frivolous enough for the pattern. It’s all “I’m a serious-work-day don’t-mess-with-me-Bubba” type and the pattern is “How ya’ll doin sweetie”. Start over and see if you can’t adapt the fabric to a different pattern with a little more school marm look.
LikeLike
I actually like both the pattern and the grey you’ve chosen, but I know what it’s like to be disappointed, and how that can suck the love from a project.I’m not sure if you’re into wearing a crinoline, but I think that a moderate crinoline and a REALLY loud belt would make all the difference in the world. I’m thinking lime green. Like this;http://www.prettygirlrodeo.com/pictures/8725.jpgor maybe even this;http://www.kimssouthwestcreations.com/store/images/belts/lm-grn-kppy-w-blu-cryst.jpgNormally I’d shoot myself before I’d wear belt number 2, but with a slightly poufy, ruffled grey dress and a bad attitude, I think I could do it.
LikeLike
I love it as is, I think it’s really chic and alternative. Having a simple neck line balances out the ruffles imho. I like the idea of accessorising with bright cardies or jewelery too, rather than ‘committing’ to braiding etc.To each their own etc. etc.
LikeLike
suddenly I am seeing this dress with a big zebra print belt — or snow leopard stripes
LikeLike
I really like this dress. Whizzed through comments and can’t see the. what seems obvious, compliment to this dress. Its PINK. It wants a baby-pink fitted cardigan. No belt please. Pink lipstick. Keep it all soft and chic.
LikeLike
It’s beautiful. Love it as is.
LikeLike
I think it’s the proportions that are off-putting. I’d be working the top sleeveless (maybe even cut back armholes) and close-fitting. My vote would be then to leave off trim & accessorize big time.Very interested to see what you do. Cheers All!
LikeLike
This has been a great blog entry – I agree that I have learned so much from it – and I love all the great opinions. I am fortunate to have 69 others ahead of me and glean from all that wisdom. I agree – the fabric is beautiful.The proportions are off – the ruffle needs to be deeper and the neckline veed. I would leave the color to the accessories only (love the idea of a baby pink). And I really love the tip on how to pull in some of the fullness from the inside of the dart.Reality – if you don’t love it now – it will probably sit in your closet for long periods of time – I would finish it up – and if it doesn’t turn to love for you – donate it to a thrift store.
LikeLike
Erin,I actually think the ruffle needs to be shorter. It’s looking a bit dust-ruffly and heavy. I think a shorter ruffle paired with a yellow cardigan would make this a super cute dress.
LikeLike
Well, you know, it is dark… but what if instead of the dark belt you were talking about… putting/making a pretty yellow belt to go with it and you said that you would wear a yellow sweater with it… take the sweater along and match up colors to either buy or make a belt? Don’t over think it… this way you can use whatever color you want with it. It will look great!You can always shorten from the bottom a bit if it’s too long… make the ruffle shorter if need be. Sometimes it’s hard to tell until a person has it on. But, the dress it’self looks fine. Good luck! Jean
LikeLike
Gray and Ruffled are not two things that you tend to see in the same garment. Not sure if that’s the dichotomy you’re going for (like the camo circle skirt?). I might just need to get used to it.If you were thinking about making this dress again… I think this dress would be great in a fun, summer popscicle print or gingham. Also think that red piping (or ric-rac?) in the collar/neckline would be fab.
LikeLike
You know, at first glance I wasn’t thrilled with it either and immediately started thinking up ways to touch it up with sewn bits of colour. But the more I think on it….I love the steel gray solid. I myself, if I possessed any sort of talent with a sewing machine, would add a darker gray piping along the tops of the ruffles. To clash against the ruffles in a sort of industrial “look at me being ironic” way. To make the gathers really stand out and put more emPHAsis on something that normally wouldn’t be a focal point.And then I’d revel in all the accessories. The bright red patent leather skinny belt with multicoloured bangles and patent leather shoes. Or a pair of sheer bright orange tights and a pair of funky sneakers. Cream knitted half-gloves that always pop up on Etsy when the weather gets cold, a knit shawl or scarf, a pair of ribbed cream tights, and a pair of lovely worn-in boots. But that is just me 🙂
LikeLike
A petticoat! I’ll bet it will look miles better with the proper underpinnings.and red accessories, as Angel suggests.
LikeLike
Rework the bodice. Cut a deep V in the back like in the original drawing. I think the balance is off as someone else suggested. Fake that bodice in the drawing, girl!
LikeLike
In that cotton fabric, it needs more texture. I’m seeing applique or “chenille” (rough edged bias) in matching grey trimming that dress. Conversely, it would be interesting with flowers appliqued on it cut out of brightly colored shiny vinyl. I think there was something like that in BWoF about six years ago and it was very cute.
LikeLike
i would fold it up and put it in a box and not think about it for a while.then in several months i would open the box and put the gray dress into the goodwill bag-a gray dress needs to be made of a fabric that has some life to it-this fabric looks like it died several years ago.since you can pull off color and numerical prints and yellow cardigans i wonder why you want a gray dress
LikeLike
A RED cardigan would be nice…and shoes?
LikeLike
My first thought was to add a (white) satin sash, and a (white) applique lace collar.Something similar to this , this, or thisAlthough I’m thinking more of an isosceles triangle shape (pointed down).The other comments about keeping neutral colors (maybe contrast gray or black in this case) so you can still accessorize, make a good point though.
LikeLike
I’d change the neckline to a V as in the original pattern, and perhaps reduce the sleeves so it is sleeveless, reaching to the shoulder.Then, as someone else suggested a wide sash, perhaps tying in the back, in a bright color, yellow or turquoise, perhaps. That sash could be removable so you don’t have to commit to color.I think the skirt is very nice, but needs a more simple top with a less modest neckline. The modest neckline and the ruffles is the combo that still screams texas compound (very funny, by the way)Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
LikeLike
I like it very much. Perhaps longer sleeves, 3/4 length and colored jewelery, depending on your mood. It also would look great with a same fabric shawl matching the ruffle at the bottom to tie to together. Too much is too much; I would not add any more ruffles or anything else to the dress. Keep it simple to diversify jewelery and perhaps jackets/shawls as needed. A slight bit of fullness from a petticoat, but not very much.
LikeLike
How about making several collars from remnants of the gray? Like a gray ruffled v neck overlay that actually extends to the waist of the dress and can either tuck in a belt or, with long ties, wrap around the waist to hold the collar down and act as a sash? That way the dress stays gray, you can wear all your colored cardigans, shoes and jewelry. Another collar could be gray but a wide collared tailored deep v neck that also reaches the waist and tucks into a wide black leather belt with great buckle? Janie
LikeLike
this blog entry is causing a stir. i love the ideas! last night i made an a-line skirt with a beautiful black eyelet with black broadcloth lining. i added a 3 in. ruffle. I folded it in half so i didn’t have to hem! It is adorable! I would go with a shorter ruffle on your grey beauty. it is a nice touch. thanks for the inspiration! please post pic when you are done.
LikeLike
I second John.
LikeLike
I agree that the bodice seems “wrong” for the dress. Flirty on the bottom, old maid librarian on the top.Now, as far as the color–I like it. Can’t wear it myself, but I like it. I would personally either do the embroidery trick one of the pp suggested (in a multi-color design to tie in your many possible accessories), OR nothing at all, and rely on the accessories to put the color into it…Sorry you lost those pieces, btw.
LikeLike
This is a very dead looking grey. (Possibly because of the photo/flash/lighting?). Anyway, The bottom is too ruffly for the severity of the top half. The problem as I see it is the grey is not a “ruffly” color, but also the whole design reminds me of, um, the prison dresses in old movies. (Or quite possibly, the old commercial with the Soviet women parading out with a beach ball, or a flashlight, all wearing the same dress “beachwear, nightwear”).I think a dress of this color would be more inclined towards the Jackie Kennedy one piece shifts (streamlined, and short, and all one piece, as opposed to piecing it all together at the waist.)
LikeLike
You must rework the seam at the waist. Pressing is a must on all the seams, and proper undergarments. The proportion of the skirt ruffle to the skirt is all wrong. It looks about 8inches, it needs to be twelve, with the 4 inches added to the top of the ruffle not the bottom. It needs a white leather belt, some white/grey spectator pumps, a small white clutch/bag and of course white gloves.
LikeLike
I am kind of amazed by the severity, not of the dress, but of some of the comments. You must do this, you must do that. When, in all actuality, you must only do with this dress that which brings you joy.Personally, I am trying to imagine how this dress looks ON because stuff never hangs on a form the way it does on a person. I agree that the top seems kind of severe but I think a brightly colored cardigan would mitigate that contrast. I’d look at this dress as a blank canvas manner of dressing – I’d pull it out when I had fantastic accessories that I wanted to take center stage instead of focusing on my actual clothing. I’d pull out my loudest strappy platform sandals and my bright cardigans and maybe even some very exciting brooches.
LikeLike
Either you can redo the skirt, or add something. If you finish it without adjusting it – will it end up in your closet – unworn – because every time you touch the shoulder, you’ll be reminded of what you thought of doing – and you’ll flip past it – never wearing it – because it’s not “done”.
LikeLike
Reading this comments has been hilarious and very helpful. Here are my thoughts to add to the many thoughts.1.) After looking at the original pattern picture, it looks like the ruffle is much longer/wider than your version. So perhaps making the ruffle higher–like starting at your mid-thigh or so might take the “Hee Haa” out of the dress and add more “New Look” glamour along with a crinoline.2.) And I second the idea of a bright colored belt. Yellow seems to be a popular choice. But I think a shocking pink might be nice too. Anyway good luck and I always always appreciate when you share your work with us.
LikeLike
I am kind of amazed by the severity, not of the dress, but of some of the comments. You must do this, you must do that. When, in all actuality, you must only do with this dress that which brings you joy.So true.I think the severity of the dress is influencing people’s thoughts. It’s not an obvious Erin dress either.If you’re having a hard time envisioning a garment on a real human, there are some tricks. It’s often easier to imagine an artist’s sketch of an outfit than a photorealistic image. For getting an idea of what a garment wants, this is often just fine. Your mind’s eye fills in the right underwear, accessories, ironing, and trim.’course, when the dress and wearer have very different personal styles, you then end up with conflict. Then it’s time to start editing the mental image, since in a fight between dress and wearer, the wearer wins every time. Often I find adding a particular style of trim will force a garment into suiting a person better. (I was so sad when I realized the dress was almost done and the rickrack insertion trick would be a giant pain to do… it’s a very Erin sort of trim, and it’d help take this dress down a peg. Piping was the next Erin-ish trim I could think of, and it’s not necessarily the same level of pain to do.)
LikeLike
and another thing….this has really helped me think about color, esp. near the face (MY face, to be precise). Lots to think about!
LikeLike
since you can pull off color and numerical prints and yellow cardigans i wonder why you want a gray dress >> There are many different events that dresses go to, and not all of them are the circus. Sometimes you want something subtler, but still on the bright side. A simple gray dress livened up with colored accessories is a handy variation. Or what if you simply HAVE to go on a blind date with someone you’re not interested in, under protest? The same gray dress can be matched with a knitted black shawl wrapped around the head, black boots, no lipstick, and mittens. You see? It’s paid for itself.
LikeLike
1. Bright accessories. Don’t trim it, as then you’ll be limited in the colors you can wear with it.2. A crinoline!!!! or a petticoat (in a color? maybe swishy red taffeta?) with horsehair braid along the bottom.3. Avant-garde black accessories.
LikeLike
Hey, Erin, Pitch it! and consider it a lesson learned. Go find the pattern you really want to use and send this one to the Texas Compound! (My husband always says that if you learned something from the experience, it doesn’t matter whether you actually keep or wear what you’ve made.)
LikeLike
i love the whole idea of this dress; that the top is nice and bussiness-like, and the bottem is ‘fun and flirty’ because of the ruffles~! but the product now, seeing it- well, it definetly could use the cap sleeves, like somone said, and the bright and nice assessories- and then it’s perfect! good job!
LikeLike
We were talking about redingotes a few weeks ago, and I found another picture of one. This, unfortunately, appears to be the ugliest example in captivity, and I would not suggest it as being truly representative. Though sleeveless, it does, however, lean in the redingote direction. But…it’s scary.http://momspatterns.com/inc/sdetail/14978
LikeLike
Oddly enough, I don’t look at the comments as severe. I think that a lot of the conspirators looked at the dress the same way I did.”What would I do if this was my dress and I wasn’t happy with it and didn’t know why?”I actually think this is a *fabulous* entry. It is extremely interesting to read what people would do were it their own work to “finish” it. I propose a new series. What Would You Do? Showcase creations that are missing…something. And let us all see what sort of creativity we can individually rock 🙂
LikeLike
I’m not sure how much or even why, but when I look at it I’m seeing eyelet on there. Somewhere.Somewhere in all this was the type of fabric used mentioned?
LikeLike