As I mentioned in my last post I have worked a lot on pattern fitting and princess seams lately. While doing this I have spent a lot of time with simplicity 1799.
I think it has a lot of interesting details and fun options. I previously made a dress With this pattern for my daughter in Law https://sewingforfun.wordpress.com/2015/05/11/simplicity-1799-a-dress-for-my-daughter-in-law/ . And now, finally I have a dress like this for me.
I think that one of the most important Things when working With princess seam patterns is getting the bust point placed correctly. that is having the right bust size, distance between bust Points and getting the bust point placed at the correct height. I think that I am getting the hang of how to get the bust size and distance between the bust Points right. My greatest challenge while working With this pattern has been lengthening the top side parts and getting the bust Points at the right Place vertically.
To get the right fit I have lengthened the side top parts (both front and back), and lowered the bust point by about 1 inch/2.5 cm.
At first I only lowered the bust point area in the side front pattern piece, but after sewing it up, I decided I needed to give the middle top pattern piece the same treatment, and it worked, My results were much better.
I made this dress With a spandex Cotton jeans looking fabric. It is very light weight and comfortable. I have topstitched many of the vertical seams and I think that suits the pattern. In these Pictures I have not added the decorative buttons, but I plan on doing so at a later date.
to give the “slanted” under bust side parts the support they needed to hold the topstitching well I sewed micro fleece to the back of these pieces and then trimmed away the excess where they were not needed (after the decorative seams had been sewn).
I have actually made this dress up Three times before getting it right. Now I am happy. I feel well about wearing it. I don’t think anyone would think there was anything wrong With it. Still, there is still a small bulging tendency at the very top of the side front pieces. I am not sure how to deal With that, but it is not very evident in real life unless I point it out. So I will wear the dress, but would be very happy for any advice on the matter.
