January dress challenge week 1

So it's January and I've started my dress challenge, I'm so rubbish at making things for myself so I've given it until the end of the month to complete it.....properly, no cutting corners! No bodjing it together at the last minute and definatly not ...just popping it in the WIPS basket never to be seen again! 

So I decided to make another pattern from the one I've purchased. There are three reasons for this,

1) I hope to make this dress many times in all different sizes for you lovely bunnies so I didn't want to cut the original pattern.

2) pattern paper rips by just looking at it! Honestly it's so damn thin, never drop any sort of liquid on it because it will dissapear before your very eyes! So I've used some nice sturdy dots and cross paper.

3) I'm often in between sizes, by making my own pattern I can add bits and tke them away making it the perfect fit for me. Although I was lucky this time, I was bang on with my measurements.

When you look at the back of a dress making envelope it may shock the hell out of you. It did me, according to simplicity I should be a UK size 20 ( not that there is anything wrong with that size) I know I'm not a 20 I'm a 16. Don't worry about it at all don't even look at the dress sizes go on the measurements and you will get a great fitting dress (hopefully). 

I like to read all of the instructions before I start.......just kidding, I don't do that but you really should it gives you a greater understanding of the pattern before you have even cut anything.

If it's a multi pattern read the instructions and I like to circle the pattern pieces in using so for example I'm making dress B so I need pattern pieces 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. Ok now we can start.

I intended on taking lots of photos but me being forgetful it didn't happen so here is what I've got for you:-

My supplies

My dress pattern, a loooonnnng ruler, French curves ( not in the photo, helpful I know) a tape measure, a tracing wheel, dots and cross paper and a can of tescos own baked beans ( any can really but I love beans)

First of all I cut the relevant original pattern pieces out and put the rest away because I would only confuse myself other wise. Then All I did was weigh the pattern piece down with the can of beans and trace over all of the lines that corisponded to my measurements, in this case I made a size 18. I lined up the straight edge of the pattern piece along a line of dots and crosses on the paper, I went slowly and marked all of the lines carefully pressing down as I went so the tracing wheel pins marked the dots and cross paper underneath, mark everything! Circles, darts, notches, everything. Make sure you take your time and do it accurately because if you make a mistake on your pattern piece your finished dress will be way off.

*TOP TIP* gently iron your original pattern pieces on a low heat before you begin to make sure your measurements are bang on, I did not do this, I'm lazy it will probably serve me right when my dress is too small.

Mark your darts and pleats accurately. Once you have gone over your lines with the tracing wheel take your pen and go over them again so you can see them better. Check back to the original pattern piece from time to time to make sure you are getting all the info. I like to write the pattern number, size and any other info on my new pattern piece so for example the front bodice piece has the pattern number, the size, how many pieces I need to cut ( one lining and one outer fabric, both on the fold ) I also put any information about hem allowances and ease on to my new pattern piece because if I don't I will definatly forget and be all angry with myself for not doing it in the first place. Basically make an exact copy of the original pattern piece but in your size only.

Like this. 

Right so all of my pattern pieces are cut and I'm ready to cut my fabric. I will do it in the next few days.....promise, I'm not the authority on this by any means and there are tons of techniques but this is just the way I like to do it. It works for me. any questions feel free to message me or leave a comment.

Mwah ❤️ Bunny x