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All i have ever made are pillows so i'm not very experienced
http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M5414.htm?tab=costumes&page=2

2007-09-30 14:12:49 · 11 answers · asked by superseriousninja 2 in Games & Recreation Hobbies & Crafts

11 answers

I make costumes for a theater, and I have made several that are like this one. If all you have made are pillows, I would not recommend that you start out on something this challenging. I would suggest you start with a simple a-line dress or at least something with no zippers. A zipper is not easy to install and if you try to make something for your first project that is beyond your ability, you are more likely to give up and not make anything in the future. However, if you are determined to tackle this particular dress, I would highly suggest that you get help from someone more experienced that can walk you through some of the more difficult parts. Just take it one step at a time and choose a lightweight fabric with a bit of texture to keep it from sliding off of your sewing machine. Stay away from satin because it will frustrate a first time sewer. Also, always iron your seams flat as you go. It may seem like a time saver to skip this step, but in the long run ironing out your seams will make your project go much smoother and will give you neater results in the end. Good luck.

2007-09-30 14:41:59 · answer #1 · answered by Tigerlily95 2 · 1 0

I think it would be an extremely ambitious project to take on if pillows is as far as you've gotten in sewing. The top is very fitted & there's a ton of detail work involved, too. Is this perchance for a Halloween costume? I would suggest that you go to a thrift store (get to a Saver's if there's one near you) & look in the section where evening gowns/better yet bridesmaid's dresses are & see if you can't find something that resembles the picture in the pattern, & then embellish it w/ ribbons & lace & such to best duplicate the design. This will also be lots cheaper then making that dress from scratch. On the other hand you might also consider seriously learning how to sew, no one will ever dress like you & it's a great way to express your creativity! Good luck to you!

2007-09-30 21:52:30 · answer #2 · answered by lady3kgt 2 · 0 0

The other people who have answered this one are very correct, this is an advanced pattern. If you still want to attempt it...I would take some old sheets that are worn or some very cheap muslin and make the pattern up out of this first before you buy beautiful expensive material.

This would mean you would make the dress twice but, it will mean less mistakes with real fabric in the long run. It will also help you make sure it fits before cutting into fabric that is running 4 or 8 dollars a yard.

Remember if you attempt it...read all directions first before starting out and get clairification from an expierenced sewer before starting...keep in mind that on a pattern like this sometimes you will have two pieces that will look like they shouldn't be able to fit together. This is where someone with expierence will be able to help you see how to ease them together.

Good Luck.

2007-10-01 01:01:20 · answer #3 · answered by Jen M 6 · 0 0

The big trick in this one will be the zipper unless you have to extensively alter the bodice. Ruffles are easy, and lace can camouflage all matters of sewing sins. Won't be an especially cheap costume, though.

1) Have you put a zipper in one of your pillows yet?
How did it go? (TIP: cut seam allowances that are going to get zippers 1" wide and interface the seam allowance with the lightest weight fusible interfacing. This will make setting zippers
go much easier, and they'll look better, too.)

2) If I were to give you two strips of muslin 2" wide x 36" long,
cut on the lengthwise grain, and asked you to sew them together using only two pins, would the upper strip be the same length
as the lower strip when you're done? Would the seamline be
36" long? Would there be puckers?

If you've done a decent zipper and you can sew two strips of muslin together and have it come out right (this is a test of your fabric handling abilities), you're probably ready to tackle a pattern like this, although you may need some help on various issues like the curved bodice seam and setting the sleeves in.

Costumes are not a bad place to start garment sewing, though I usually suggest nightgowns, sleep pants, etc. I would suggest a cotton fabric, however, and not a satiny or taffeta-ish fabric.

12 years ago I bumped into a gentleman on USENET who wanted to copy a skirt his wife had loved when they went to see Ballet Folklorico. It was a gored skirt, double circular, covered in ruffles. He'd figured out how to draft the gores for the skirt, but had never sewn -- he had borrowed a sewing machine and machine manual, had a weekend with her away, and would someone be around that weekend to help if he got stuck. We sent him to the fabric store for fabric, a zipper, interfacing,
machine needles, pins and thread, and a hook and eye, and
discussed various options of how to hem those miles of ruffles, and how to sew the skirt sections together so they would look
as good on the back as the front -- so he learned french seams from our verbal instructions. He got done with the skirt a couple of hours before his wife got home, and having forgotten to buy hand needles, finished the skirt by sewing on the hook and eye
by hand with a busted-off sewing machine needle. He sent me a photo by snail mail... he'd done an excellent job.

2007-10-02 12:33:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Agreed. It's little too much to bite off so early in your sewing career.

May I suggest you plan on it for next Halloween. And in the meantime, try making a some progressively more difficult patterns.

If you must, try making a muslin mock up first. That way, you'll know what you are getting yourself in for before you blow a lot of money.

If you can find a more experienced sewing to help you, all the better.

Good luck.

2007-10-01 01:09:15 · answer #5 · answered by chieromancer 6 · 0 0

Can you follow directions well and thoroughly? If so, give it a shot. Get a fabric that isn't shiny or slinky, that will help. Washcotton (polycotton is great) would be a good fabric for this. (Wash all your fabric first, and all your trims. You don't want "surprises.") Make all the markings the pattern recommends, don't take shortcuts. Do everything exactly as directed. Pin everything thoroughly. If you follow the directions carefully and ask about anything you don't understand, I think you can do it. Have fun!

2007-09-30 21:49:57 · answer #6 · answered by thejanith 7 · 0 0

You probably would have a hard time doing it for this Halloween unless there is someone who can be there with you to show you each step as you sew.
.

2007-09-30 23:13:27 · answer #7 · answered by Kacky 7 · 0 0

Extremely difficult!!! I have years of experience sewing and I would not attempt it. The fabric would also be very very expensive.

2007-09-30 21:19:42 · answer #8 · answered by eek 6 · 0 0

I've sewn suits, coats, draperies, kids clothes, dresses, aprons, skirts, blouses, etc....and "i" would not try the project on your link.

2007-10-01 03:38:10 · answer #9 · answered by sophieb 7 · 0 0

for u that would be difficult, start out with something easier so u don't get frustrated.

2007-10-01 10:48:40 · answer #10 · answered by LINDSEY S 7 · 0 0

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