NOTES

I decided to take a break from pants making. And so, on a fabric buying whim, I decided to start sewing V 8146.

• First try: Traced and cut out a straight size 12 dress. There were some fitting issues: gapping under arm seams and neckline; bust darts too high; petite dress fold lines; and swayback

• Second try: Traced and cut out a straight size 10 dress.

• Third try: Size 10 with modifications:

  • Reduced the length of the slit from 10” to 7.5:”

  • Bring in back french darts to account for swayback

  • Adjust neckline by 1/2” on back piece; Actually, I think I have a rounded back and I decided to follow the rounded back adjustment tutorial I found on Youtube

Resources Used

• The Rounded Back Adjustment // Alexandra Morgan // Youtube tutorial

• How To: Dart Manipulation (Pattern Cutting) // Made to Sew // Youtube tutorial

• How To: True | Truing a Dart (Sewing) // Made to Sew // Youtube tutorial

• The Sway Back Adjustment 3 Ways // Alexandra Morgan // Youtube tutorial *

  *Realized that the issue was that my hip is low and needed more room

• How To: Pattern Match Fabric for a Garment // Made to Sew // Youtube tutorial

• How to Match Plaids, Stripes, and Large Patterns // Seamwork // Website tutorial

• How To: Thread Tracing // Made to Sew // Youtube tutorial

• Thread Tracing and Tailor’s Tacks // Sally’s Custom Couture // Youtube tutorial

• Sewing with Tweed // Mood Fabrics // Website post

Modifications

• Petite adjustment (above the waistline only)

• Rounded back adjustment

• Added 2” at lengthen line

• Shorten the split from 10” to 7.5” and adjust the circles

• Move the first circle up by 1.5” and then stitch above the metal stopper

• Place zipper tape higher and ensure that it starts near the top zipper stopper to prevent a gap at the neckline

• Added 1/2” at hip

FINAL THOUGHTS

I originally bought some beautiful, easter feeling tweed. Alas, I got overwhelmed with matching the fabric pattern. So, I decided to use up some mystery polyester twill-ish fabric and to just get this thing sewn.

I was able to work through my sewing block, and I ended up liking the end result. I made the dress long, which means that it works best with heels. If I make a future version of this pattern, I will make one that is shorter so I have more shoe options. The black fabric (pictured) is sitting in my stash and waiting for another go at this pattern.