Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Trial and Error



With the forecast of all of this hot weather, I decided that I needed to make myself a new summer dress to swelter in.

Of course, I don't actually own any dress patterns, and I don't have any learned dressmaking skills, so instead I just used the trial and error method. (BTW - I wouldn't actually recommend this method, but I like to just free form sew).

Step 1 - Draw a picture
Step 2 - Grab the tape measure and take a couple of random measurements
Step 3 - Cut fabric
Step 4 - Sew

It's not too bad for a first trial, although it does look more like a nightie than a dress. It's too tight under the armholes, a bit too short, and too low at the back, and I wouldn't actually wear it outside of my house, but other than its fine...ha!  I figure that this is all part of the learning process when it comes to making clothes.



I took the photo before I hemmed it!


It can only be onward and upward from here......

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow well done!! wish I could do that, I hope it makes it a bit cooler for you with this heat..
Chicuff by Daneve
http://chicuff.blogspot.com/

MiM said...

its great, I am a fan of the trial and error method too :)

Emily said...

I love the fact that you did that through trial and error. Best way to learn.

I think it is really cute too.

Unknown said...

Have you seen Design-It-Yourself Clothes: Patternmaking Simplified by Cal Patch?
It's new, but brilliant, and will help you avoid the issues you had here... but I LOVE the fabric/idea!
I finally bought the book after wasting good fabric on experimenting....

yardage girl said...

I think it's really pretty - I love the neckline. Nic

Vic said...

I think it's tres cute!

I Purr-Furr to Craft said...

well done! trial and error method, like it a lot! you will have lots of fun doing it this way,

teddybearswednesday said...

Oh Cam, I love it! Really you are on fire at the moment. You are so clever.
I showed my mum that tablecloth skirt you made, she was blown away, I think you now have two customers!!
xx

Margaret said...

A nice red belt and flower brooch will not make it look like a nighty - good effort!

Raewyn said...

The thing I like about trial and error..is that next you'll know what NOT to do! Well done, I think it looks great!

Unknown said...

It looks like it would be perfect for this weather. I hope the arm holes can be adjusted though, because that can be really uncomfortable - especially in hot weather. You just reminded me to make sure I give myself enough room under the arm holes in the dress I'm about to make myself!

Caroline said...

It looks very sweet - at least you can wear it seemlessly from day through to night...totally functional, yes? (and we all need clothes that we just wear around the house)

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

When I used the trial and error sewing method to make a reversible clutch bag I ended up with a cushion. I can only wonder what would happen if I tried to make clothes!

Snooze said...

Very cute. It looks like the perfect shape for melting. LOL

Unknown said...

At least you had a go and really it turned out just great !

Sarah said...

Hey I am impressed! Well done. I am so not game to do that. My sewing with clothes is at a very min.

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

I'm a fly by the seat of my pants untrained seamstress, you've done great work. Team it with a belt & you're off!! Love Posie

Julie said...

Looks good from here, good effort!

Beck said...

I've been thinking about making a dress lately too, but haven't got as far as you! I'd love to find a similar pattern/style that I could adapt a bit, longer/shorter etc. There must be a nice simple pattern out there for nice simple folk like me?? xo

Bird Bath said...

Well the hits and misses are all part of the creative journey eh? I have made plenty of things which didn't work for me while following a pattern. The worst part is when I've wasted some fabric I'm especially keen on....
The skirt from table cloth you made was a definite hit in my book!

Leonie Guld said...

Hey....great minds...I finished my dress today!!! First ever attempt to...lol x

Jennifer Rose said...

really good trail and error attempt :D I really like the fabric used, great pattern

Nikki said...

You are so brave! And I will admit to laughing at the "it's too" list, followed by the "other than that it's fine!" Your glass is definately half full.

Tas said...

I have been sewing for 25 years and haven't been brave enough to attempt anything like that so I think it is a mighty fine first effort!