Dress-making - need some support and encouragement

[Katymac]

A long time ago (when I had a life) I used to make clothes. I successfully made jackets trousers and dresses. I never managed setting in sleeves or piecing a skirt on to a waist band - so my skills are limited.

I have decided to make a dress for a ballroom dancing competition. It doesn't have to be fabulous - it's just I can't find anything long enough, in my colours that I can wear a bra underneath.

So I need help, & support & nagging & advise and anything else anyone can help me with

Any takers

Well I found a pattern I was going to make years ago & I found that material (sort of 2 tone pink/black shot silk - I think, not sure if it's too eighties or not)

So now I just need to see if there is enough material for me now (I am quite a bit bigger) - fortunatley the pattern goes up to my current size

Thanks for the support

So I have 5 yards of 45 inch wide material

It's not quite enough for the dress - so I am thinking about it

what about making a circular skirt of the material and wearing it with a black top and a Fifties net petticoat?

Nah - has to be a dress - it's to do with the line (apparently)

So I either see if
a)i can fit the patten to the material -
b)or buy a bigger piece of material

b) is easier but costs more.........

I don't think a) will work

Are you calculating the yardage to include underlining?

Umm - not sure I understand the question

Is underlining the little bots that go round the neck & arms on the underneath?

If so they it - it's the skirt width I am having problems with...they fit but the line doesn't go the right direction

The bits that go round the arms and collars are interfacing, underlining is lining for the skirt but, am assuming it doesn't have one. You don't have to use the same material for the interfacing (or for that matter any linings).
For example I can make a skirt out of a metre of material by cutting corners, ie I interface with any spare remnants that I have knocking around and sometimes I underline with a contrasting material (I am a bit rebellious). If it's the skirt bit of the dress where the material is lacking then no, I don't think you can get away with using less material, other than in the ways I've explained. Otherwise the skirt won't have the required fullness and may look a little odd.

That's kinda where I was getting to

It's taking a while - but I think only a new piece of material will do

I'm thinking the arrows down the middle have to run parallel with the material - if they didn't it would fit (bummer)

Yes that's right they do have to run parallel, you could always save the material for something in a straighter style. A good excuse to go shopping for more fabric and another pattern

Another pattern - no way - I can sew this one not sure I'm brave enough for a new pattern

So what colours are in this year in dress fabrics - I fancy a deep red or maybe a sharpish green

I don't know what's in (afraid to say I'm not hugely fashionable, stuck in a 60's shift dress and blouse and tank top warp), but deep red sounds really nice. When I want fabric inspiration I look here but, have never bought from them. Think they do international but you might get charged import tax. I just use it for inspiration and then go material hunting in London where I can feel what I'm buying.

Message withdrawn

Yes - that's what I thought

Hmm - off to Fabric Warehouse tomorrow evening

Apparently I need about 7 yards (that'll be expensive)

Well I got some deep pinkish red polycotton for £18.50

So I'm hapy - I might cut it out later

I went to bed instead of cutting it out

I might pin it out in a minute

OK big problem

The pattern I have is a size 12 - I still have the bits I cut it out of, so I can add the bits on where relevant plus I can move the notations (is that the right word)

I also need to lengthen the waist by about an inch and the skirt by about 3 inches

So I need lots of thought (or should I give up?)

Nearly finished

Just got the lining to do

Think so

I've used this pattern about 4/5 times now

Do you think it would be worth cutting it out of an old sheet and drawing on the notations so that I can keep re-using it?

Can I help? Am a trained pattern cutter.

When you lengthen a waist do it from waistline, do not be tempted to add a bit at bottom of bodice.

I did at the bit on the pattern where it said lengthen here (hope that was right - it seems to fit OK)

OK I had to recut the linings (facings?) round the neck and armholes but it's all together now & looks great - but I can't remember how to do the shoulder seams - it's driving me nuts

Don't understand...surely you just sew them?....

Or is it one of those where you put all facings on, and then sew up side seams?...But this only happens if a bodice is fully lined

Explain further