This is the great thing about moving toward a style: I know what I like and I know what I'll wear. So another Rooibos it was!
As luck would have it, I was with my sister in a thrift store in my hometown. I came across this denim-like twill, more gray than blue. It looks fabulous but it wears a bit like 70s poly, and irons like it, too. Boo. That didn't become clear until I was constructing the dress.
With two Rooibosi under my belt, I thought this would be easy-peasy. But in a mad dash toward The Perfect Dress, I made plenty of mistakes. I'm not sure how much of it was sloppiness or my own disappointment that things weren't going swimmingly. Perfection is a tall order, after all. I didn't achieve it on this one, that's for sure.
That said, there's much to be proud of: first time using piping and making my own bias tape. First full lining, which I love love love. A full lining, for me, brings a dress from lovely to luxurious. I feel like I'm gliding through my day.
Like the previous dress, I made a number of adjustments. I was terrified of having the bodice and armsyce too tight again so I allowed enough ease to pull over my head. So I remember if I make the Rooibos again:
I wish the poly fabric felt better close to my skin and that it ironed well (without melting), but it's being worn! I managed to put it on once every day on this long weekend, Me-Made-May Days 26, 27, 28 (rotating with the Lola and the LBD) and I'm pretty sure I'll wear it this final day of May. Then I'll wash it, pinky-promise.
On its maiden voyage, paired with a coral cardigan and a striped scarf.
Now I'm dreaming of summer sewing. I hope we can do some sewing together in June. :)
What about you? Did Me-Made-May get you sewing something you'll love to wear?
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It looks great! How did you make the lining for the rooibos? I want to line mine but have been kind of putting it off as I'm not sure how to approach it.
ReplyDeleteYou know, since I had an existing Rooibos, I just traced the top edges of the facing pieces and then the sides of the existing dress and added seam allowances. I was trying to get away with having to cut all those pieces and replicate the dress in the lining.
DeleteThat said, I wouldn't recommend it -- I had a helluva time getting it to fit right. I would've saved time if I just recut the dress pieces (adapting the pocket pieces) and sewn it to the dress as instructed for the facing.
I DO love the full lining though, good luck!
Love this! Gosh, there is almost nothing as rewarding and satisfying as a wearable make, right? I'm so glad you like it and WELL DONE on the lining and adjustments! Bummer about the ironing, but hopefully it doesn't wrinkle easily and the ironing won't be so necessary?
ReplyDeleteYou're right it doesn't wrinkle much! When the heat hits me, though, I kinda feel like I'm wrapped in plastic :0
DeleteI'm glad you made another Rooibos! Even if it's not perfect (and what ever is?) it's an improvement on the last one, right? :) It looks super cute.
ReplyDeleteI still loved the last one -- the dark, dark denim, etc. But this is a whole new thing, and exciting too :)
DeleteLooks great. I sometimes look for fabrics in thrift stores too. I;ve managed some great finds. I love your Rooiboos dress! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThrifting for fabric is my downfall! It's been so great to learn and play with fabrics, but sometimes I get myself into messes because I don't know the fiber content (though perhaps I should get hip to burn tests). And of course, I can't stop :) Just brought home yards and yards. Ha!
DeleteI am glad you remade the rooiboos. It looks lovely. Especially with piping. The lining sounds very good! I made my red spotty tunic in MM May which I am loving wearing!
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been loving following your progress, Debbie. MMM is a great way to exercise our me-made wardrobes and add new things to fill the gaps!
DeleteIt looks fabulous. I'm impressed with your lining, too.
ReplyDeleteOh, this looks so cute on you! I'm sorry that the fabric turned out to be a little weird, though. I hate it when that happens!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute! It looks great on you!!!
ReplyDeleteI think it looks really nice! I'm glad you did the extra bit of piping. It seems like it will go with so many of your handmades and thrifted garments, and it's such a flattering silhouette.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jessica, who talked me off the ledge and into piping. Only I would think it was too-crazy-and-wild but I'm thrilled with it. Now, of course I want to pipe everything :)
DeleteGreat job, and your Rooibos remake looks great! I especially love how you´ve paired it with the coral cardi and the striped scarf. Terribly cute!
ReplyDeleteI made a jacket this May that I absolutely love, and that I probably wouldn´t have made if it weren´t for MMM. Hope to be doing a summer sew-along this year too! :-)
Oooh, I'll have to spy on your jacket! You are so wonderful at making what I'd consider hard garments, probably a testament to your sewing skills. I hope you'll join us this summer!
DeleteGreat dress, Ali, it looks sooo lovely on you! Too bad that the fabric isn't as wonderful as you'd like, but I love the lace-hemmed lining and pretty piping, and navy/denim is a really good colour on you!
ReplyDeleteLovely backgrounds, too!
I sewed a few things during MMM, all of which I love, but I think the striped summery jersey dress will get an award for "garment most worn" this summer. :)