Hello, anybody out there? I wouldn't be surprised if not, it's been such a long time since I've updated. I've been busy the last few months. I've been bumbling around a bit in the career department, which has been frustrating but also very empowering. There's something to be said for establishing your boundaries and goals and not settling for less. I've recently started a new position that feels like a much better fit. More flexibility, shorter commute, more responsibility, etc. Here's hoping the bumbling is over!
You might be wondering what's been going on in the craft department. The truth is, not much. All my yarn and fabric ended up in the freezer while we had a long and drawn out battle with moths in our apartment building. It seems they're gone now, so I'm slowly starting to unpack. However, what I have been doing regularly since the spring is teaching sewing! I teach mostly introductory classes at this awesome little local sewing lounge and it's so great sharing the sewing fun! So, most of my crafty energy has been spent helping people make pillows, tote bags, aprons, and pajamas, among other things. There is seriously nothing better than watching people realize that they can do it!
Anyway, now that we're settling into fall and the destructive pest situation is under control, I want to get sewing again for real. (I know, you've heard this from me before.) I have a lot of thoughts about this (as usual) but in the meantime I've decided that it's time I finally tackle the Perfect Fit Bombshell Dress class. I've already paid for the class and bought all the materials save for the boning (including real muslin!). No reason not to jump right in, practicality aside.
But if anyone is still reading, I would very much appreciate your advice. My one reservation about this pattern is the fit of the bust. It seems, when viewing the finished projects, that some look lovely and some look... well, not as lovely. In particular, it just seems that if not done right, the bust can end up decidedly... un-shapely? Or, at least, not the shape that I'm hoping for. I imagine this may be a major hurdle for me, being full-busted.
I'm sure the best way to approach this is just to embrace the muslining process and see what happens when I adjust the fit. If it ends up looking frumpy, I'll have to re-assess. (I'm curious if the three-piece cup pattern is just inherently difficult to fit well to a fuller bust in a non-stretch fabric? I've inspected my lingerie drawer, and the most flattering similarly-constructed bra I own is actually five pieces per cup (one top and four bottom, vs one top and two bottom on the bombshell pattern).)
Any thoughts or wisdom on this particular issue would be most appreciated. I'm definitely thinking of this particular project like a puzzle and I'm looking forward to figuring it out.
I'm still here and happy to hear from you. Sounds like some great career steps for you.
ReplyDeleteI have not bought the bombshell dress, but I can see how the cups are not going to be easy to fit. Same goes with making a bra, not all cup styles are right for all people. I haven't made a non-stretch bra so I can't help there. I think spending time with a ham and iron will be pretty important to get a nice cup shape.
I'm still in awe of sewists like you who have attempted lingerie! We'll see how this goes for me... and thanks for the tip about spending time pressing. I always neglect that.
DeleteWelcome back!! I also have not taken the bombshell course, but I'm heavily considering it. I know what you're talking about as far as results go, but even from those results that have left me wanting, the sewists have nothing but rave reviews for the course and Gertie's tips and tricks that can then be applied to other projects.
ReplyDeleteI think you should go for it! If you can, try and seek out a RTW dress with that cup style and try it on. If it looks okay but could be better fitting (that is why we sew, right?) then awesome! If it's not a flattering style for you then pass?
Thank you for the thoughts/encouragement!!
DeleteHey - I haven't made the dress but I have seen a variety of finished projects. This is going to be most challenging to fit on a narrow person with deep breasts. Reason being that, in something fitted this way, a person of that shape won't be able to realize the benefits of the narrowness of her back as it gives fit flexibility through the chest. I think, much as it would be were you to make a bra, that you'll need to get very good fit that accommodates both bust volume and shape. Otherwise it's going to fall down or look ill-fitting.
ReplyDeleteI say, if you want to make the dress, be prepared for a lot of muslin fun. I'm sure you can make it work, just not sure it will be easy.
Yep, you nailed it. I'm definitely going to have to embrace this as a "fun with muslining, and maybe possibly a useable finished product" kind of project.
DeleteMaybe this will help: http://lladybird.wordpress.com/tag/bombshell-dress/
ReplyDeleteFellow busty girl who made it work!
Thanks! I remember reading about this when she first made it. I agree her version is lovely, I think I just need to decide if I'm happy with it looking more like a regular dress (with the centre not sitting flush) or if I'm going to agonize over the fit to have it sit flush as its supposed to. (She ended up deciding it was okay not.) Also, though it looks awesome on her, I don't think I'd be happy with the top section of the cup being so tall... so I'm going to have to decide exactly how revealing I'm comfortable with this being!
DeleteWelcome back, Katy! Nice to hear from you. I also bought the bombshell class (summer 2011!) but have yet to make the dress. I found the videos really, really interesting and had every intention of making the dress...it's just that I wonder if I'll ever really wear it. I'm currently trying to focus on everyday clothes, but I always love to see bombshell dresses show up in blogland! I look forward to seeing yours all made up. :) -Amanda
ReplyDeleteCare to sew along with me?!? I'm in the same boat, I bought the class ages ago and watched all the videos but never started working on it!
DeleteI've had lots of thoughts lately about everyday clothes, so I totally get where you're going with that. I think I'm just feeling the need to do this because I already bought everything and I don't have the budget to spend on other projects at the moment, lol.
Hey, nice to see you again! I bought the bombshell class, too, but I'm too afraid to jump in! I'll be anxiously watching your progress!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finding a job that's a better fit! And I'm glad that you're enjoying teaching sewing, too! How fun!
Do it with me! Jump in! C'mon, you know you want to... ;)
DeleteWelcome back! I know what you mean about the bombshell dress - I have seen some unfortunate looking boobies in it. Lladybird is pretty stacked and I think hers turned out well (http://lladybird.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/finally-complete-the-bombshell-dress/) so it can be done.... Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks so! Tricky business.
DeleteGlad to see you back! (I won't assume to speak for others, but good blogs are totally worth waiting for, and I don't mind one bit. I mean, I'm happy when people I like following are active, but I don't want blogging to feel like a chore for myself, or others, so if blog-breaks is what feels right, I'm all for it!)
ReplyDeleteI'm another one who's bought the bombshell class but not sewn it up yet - I could be interested in sewing along with you! I don't have a ton of time each week to dedicate to the dress, so with a slow progression I'd be on board! Also, I have to admit Lladybird's dress looks totally fine in the bust area, but I understand the desire to get the fit *perfect*. Perhaps a five-piece bust is what you need? I need a larger cup size than what the pattern is patterned with, so I'm expecting a lot of muslin-ing there too!
Anyways, I think it could be fun to try to get through fitting dilemmas in unison!
Yes, definitely sew along! It's hard to say - now that I've gotten all gung-ho, I've also decided to dive into about five other projects so I'm not sure how fast I'm going to go about this.
DeleteI've done my muslin-fit of the bodice only (without cups) and so far what I've found is that, surprisingly, the width of the cups (or the width of the cup-indents in the bodice, anyway) is actually perfect for me! Which seems crazy, seeing as I'm a F-G cup. But, that's something! I'm going to muslin the three piece cup but if it's not looking good I think I'm going to try and do a rub-off of the 5-piece bra cup I already own that fits me well. Of course, that's easier said than done. We'll see!
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
Oh woah, I'm nowhere near a muslin - heck, I haven't taped the sheets of paper together yet! I feel like I'm in quite a sewing slump at the moment, but I will definitely give you a peep about my progress!
DeleteThat's funny about the cup-indents fitting you perfectly - but I guess that makes some sense, since the width we have ("we" being wearers/users of larger cupsizes) is across the bust, not across the ribcage. I still really like the idea of a 5-piece cup - more places to add width! ;)
Welcome back Katy! I'm glad you are back to blogging again. I have to admit, I'm not as keen on the bombshell dress as I am on the Cambie street dress from sewaholic - I think it's more flattering. But that's just my two cents :)
ReplyDeleteOh, there's almost no comparing them, they're so different! The Cambie dress is prettier and so much more versatile/wearable... but, done right I do love the bombshell idea. It's just those darn cups! SO hit or miss! (I would love to make a Cambie but I obviously haven't been able to get much at all done this year, sewing-wise... so we'll see how it goes!)
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