Starting from COMPLETE scratch...

 

I have been recently getting completely, psychotically obsessed with drafting my own patterns and creating any designs i dream up in my mind! It is  so exciting...  not to be bound by store brought patterns, the possibilities are endless!
I will warn you though, before you start to dream about all those pretty whimsical one offs that would just complete your wardrobe..... pattern drafting isn't for the faint or impatient of heart....

It adds a whole other dimension to the sewing, garment creating adventure.. i mean a massive whole other side to it...... we are talking a parallel universe, with a different language, permanent confused looks and all round frustration! BUUUUT i love it... a glutton for punishment? maybe..... but still creating a garment from complete scratch, i mean complete scratch is the most satisfying thing i have ever done.. and you only get more addicted.... Meds should be prescribed....

Therefore I am so proud of myself and i am happy to announce it  to the blogosphere!

 

I created this dress from start to finish, i mean completely start to finish.... I started from drafting the bodice & skirt pattern to my measurements, testing only one muslin along the way.. surprisingly i drafted it nearly absolutely perfectly straight up! Smug aren't i? And then cutting out and sewing this little beauty too completion...

 

 

 

Ta da! Bodice

 

 

  This isn't the first pattern i have drafted..... I have actually recently started to draft nearly all my stuff and not to use patterns at all... The only exception recently is the bateau top from this recent post dipping-my-tootsies. in which i hadn't actually graded a pattern to a larger size and i really just wanted to test the theory, and also  because i am slightly lazy in tracing things, and following others instructions...

 

 It is a sleeveless shirt dress, with a gathered full skirt, inspiration roughly taken from the below pattern:

 

 

And a little inspiration from Mad Men... I think i need a cute fabric covered belt to complete the dress...

 

 

 

 

I also drafted and added some in seam pockets.... Bestest idea i have ever had!

 

I also drafted the neckline quite high, which i love for some reason and it feels so comfortable, modest  and still really feminine at the same time....i know it totally goes against the recent look of showing all your bits and bobs to the world as much as possible...

 

The bodice has a button down front to the waist line, where it then has 3 snap on closures further down, past the waist line ,... obviously so i can get it into it and this is also a quite traditional vintage method in these types of dresses!

 I did try a side zip entrance... but meh... i gave myself a break and went for the easier option.. Don't judge :)

 

 

 

Half a dog..... and my favourite skirt length.

 

 

 

 

I used bias binding to finish the arm holes and neckline, time consuming and i will admit its not my favourite thing to do, but it gives the dress a cleaner finish.

 

This is the fabric that i brought so much of.. cause i love it and also because it was on sale, that i was able to make the bateau top from it, check out this post dipping-my-tootsies. ( photos still to come).

It is also a nice light cotton, which when worn on a recent 40 degree day here in Melbourne was quite comfortable.

What'd think? You like?

 

 Have you ever drafted from scratch?

 

Abby

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