The Marilyn finish! | Go-Go Kim

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Monday, September 2, 2013

The Marilyn finish!

I finished the Sew Serendipity Marilyn dress!  I am super happy that I was able to do this dress.  It is classic and I learned so much in the process I know my next garment venture will be even more successful.




In the instructions it recommends that you do a muslin fitting first.  I second that 100%.  When I made the first trial run it was okay.  It was good to get used to the terms and how things were going to look. The size I cut was really not the best for me. I also needed to add a little in the bodice and the waistband  since I am small and long in my torso, the bodice was hitting me a bit short.  Sara and I had a google hangout with all kinds of bodice maneuvering and a little measuring to figure out what needed to be done.  Kay recommends looking online for adjustments for alterations for this area if you are large or small busted or a book called Fit for Real People.  I needed an inch here and and inch there.


and this was my second muslin fitting. The bodice is much better in this one.


So I took the plunge and started on the "real" dress!!!!  I used Pellon Shape Flex for all the interfacing.  I think I need to start buying that stuff by the bolt!  SO many uses...so awesome!  I also used my trusty Aurifil thread in a stunning black 50wt.  I was thinking of trying the 40wt but I did not want my stitches to show so 50 was meant to be!


Instead of gathering the skirt, I went with box pleats. I looked at youtube videos and found this one that is super easy to follow by evangesews.com.  I started from the center and the pleats are 2in apart.  Not perfect but this was my first time ever doing these pleats.  I am very pleased with the outcome.


Here is the back view and my EPIC FAIL on the invisible zipper!  I did not sew close enough to the teeth but at that point I was not ripping it all out to do over.  My next dress I will hopefully do a better job. I also have NO IDEA what I am looking at in the tree.


The one thing I really wish I would have done is to add POCKETS!!!  Donna Reed would have had pockets!   If I can make this dress anyone can!  I am really loving it...


especially since it goes with my red shoes!!!!

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14 comments

andri. said...

Oh you look so pretty! Well done!:D

Jenniffier said...

Great dress. It looks fantastic. Love the fabric!

Gramma Quilter said...

Beauty!!! Love the red shoes.

Katy Cameron said...

It and you look absolutely gorgeous, well done!

Di~ said...

It is a darling dress and so are you! Good job.

Ella said...

Ooo. It looks fab. I still don't have invisible zips down perfectly.

Sarah @ FairyFace Designs said...

You did a great job! Looks fab.

Nexxxus Ramblings said...

I really want to learn to do garment sewing but I don't get how to cut against or on the grain. Is it honestly a big deal? My other thing is most of the cute patterns out don't go up to a size 20, size 18 is usually the largest they go. Do you think that book, Fit for Real People, would show you how to enlarge a pattern? Sorry I don't mean to ask you so many questions but you seem so excited that you were able to sew this. Thank you so much

Kay Whitt said...

@Nexxxus Ramblings: Cutting on the grain is VERY important! It just means that you line up the grain lines on the pattern to be parallel with the selvedge of the fabric....that is it! The Fit for Real People book enables you to make any tissue pattern ANY size and make any fit adjustments necessary. What are you waiting for?

Kristin said...

Your version turned out so much better than mine! I had to do quite a few adjustments to the bodice (including a large FBA). And your box pleats are beautiful. Wonderful work! And I did my first well done invisible zip the other day...and I've done quite a few...so don't stress. And I don't remove them either unless I REALLY screw up. If you are curious, my version is here: http://augustmorning.blogspot.com/2013/06/sew-serendipity-marilyn.html

Kris from Duke Says Sew What said...

You go, Kim! (Get it?!) that turned out so well! I am impressed. You say "anyone" can do it as though that includes me....but I just can't imagine making it happen. Now you need them in more colors to match the rest of your shoes. :) :)

Jeanette said...

So pretty, what a flattering dress, and yes-shoes are perfect!

Shauna said...

Now that is the cutest dress ever! Love it with the red shoes too. Fantastic finish!!

Anonymous said...

Lovely dress and a great fit. Well worth all the input! :-)

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