I’d planed to be finished with the 1930s Christmas dress by now, but life, work and karma apparently do not approve.
The good things:
I’ve cut the fabric for the dress and even though the plaid’s not perfectly matched I don’t mind as much as I thought I would.
The contrast between the darker plaid and the white satin for the sleeves looks great. I’m so pleased with this combination.
I have yet another week left until Christmas, and have all confidence I will finish in time.
The not so good things:
I must have had a black out while pattern drafting since I decided to skipp the waist darts and only use the side seams for waist shaping. You would thought 10 years of pattern making for my curvy body would have tought me something about proper fitting to my shapes. I’m currently busy shortening the bodice length and adding darts to both bodice and skirt.
Yet another blackout compelled me to rush through the making of the sleeves pattern and left me with cut out and sewn raglan sleeves fit for a 5 year old. Do it again and do it right.
My design decision to change the bow at the waist to a belt, turned out to be more trouble then anticipated. Since the only store in out town with good sewing notions recently closed, and I couldn’t find anything I liked to a reasonably price on the internet. Guess the bow will have to do. Perhaps I can ad a separate belt later.
Lets get back to the sewing machine…
Fashion Through Herstory 
Belts are so easy to make! All you need is some buckram (optional) or interfacing and a buckle (easy to find on etsy). They often come with matching buttons on a card; I rarely pay more than $8-10 for a button/buckle card and often pay much less for a single buckle.
Just cut a strip of fabric about the width of a waistband, fold in twice on both sides with interfacing in the middle, press and slip stitch shut. Add your buckle and maybe a snap to keep the end from sliding out and bob’s your uncle!
Ops, realized I forgot to say that I could’t find any belt buckle, and that’s why I needed to change the plan.
Thanks for the great summary on belt making 🙂
It seems every Christmas sewing project runs into set-backs. Mine did as well. I am totally with you there. 🙂
Sorry to hear about your project, hope you can push through.