The Blue Marilyn Dress pt 3 – Finished!

My flowery Marilyn dress! I’m in love! AND the seller has made a multi sized version of the pattern, and corrected the quirks! HERE’s the link, not sponsored, paid, anything like that.

In conclusion:

I took the lower bodice in a lot, added a bit to the upper bust part, lowered the bust darts, added darts to make a closer fit around the top part of my bust, and shortened the straps almost 10 cm. I should probably have raised the waist a bit as well rather than only shortening the straps, but hell no were I going to pick out that top stitched gathered 4 m of skirt!

Over all I’m incredibly proud and happy about the outcome, I have not had any 100% satisfying tailoring result lately so this was both a relief and most of all – FUN.

The Blue Marilyn Dress pt. 2

I’ve taken the lower bodice in ~16 cm. Added 3 cm over the bust and pinched a dart out on the upper part on the side of le boobage. It looks a bit to pinched but I kind of liked the slight cleavage it gave me. After trying the mock up on again I realised I would get an EXCELLENT lift if I moved the shoulder straps out of my armpit. Like, to where they’re supposed to be. 

All I could think at this point was ”I cut it I cut it OMG I actually cut it”

First somewhat proper try on. There were tears.

The Blue Marilyn Dress

Greetings Earthlings!

I have been having a Major Life Crisis since splitting with my ex back in august, and oh boy it has been a JOURNEY so far. Of course it reflects on my crafting and my personal style, and I feel the NEED and URGE to try out all the things I felt like I couldn’t before. I have also realised that my slight aversion against all things traditionally feminine has its derivation from internalised misogyny rather than anything else. This feels quite shite to be honest and I want to start combat it right now. So, I will attempt to make a version of the blue dress Marilyn Monroe wears when photographed with Arthur Miller in 1957. In white, floral, water colour-y, fabric from Fabric Godmother. 

I will be using a vintage pattern that is available as a PDF, Advanced 9077. I have bought and cut size 16 = 41″/105 cm bust. And we have WORK to do. Here’s the first mock up of the bodice.

The size 16 has a waist of 34″ and mine is 30-31″, which causes the too big under and side bodice to gape and rise above my boobs. It’s definitely not containing them as it should.

Here we have two pictures of me just holding the excess fabric in the back, and in the last picture I have scooped my assets up best I can to the right position.

Since the upper bust section meets the side seam on top I’m entertaining the idea of taking a dart out at the side seam, not sewing a dart but rather cutting away a triangle. I also have the back zipper seam to take a bite from.

The dart is French, and I have absolutely not clue about how to alter it. I think I’d like it a bit lower, and wider apart, but since a gathered piece will cover it all I’m not sure I’m even bothered. The point that is currently VERY pointy could be completely covered by the gathers. I could use a tiny bit extra room in the upper bust section, it’s a bit pancake-boob-warning atm, but we’ll see how and if a well fitted lower portion changes it first.

October plans

I have some things I really want to do in October. 

• Finish Aiken for the vintage sweater KAL.
• Participate in Amy’s/Poisongirrl’s new turban KAL that releases/starts on the 13th. Yarn will be Stranded Dyeworks Industrial Kingfisher on the Fjord base. 
• Finish the one mercury sock that has been on my needles for too long. And cast on the second sock. 
• Cast on the Tongue Tied blouse by Amy Appel. Yarn will be Stranded Dyeworks Botanical on the Paradise base. 
• Sew one pair of ultimate trousers. 
• Hopefully sew  the Agnes top by Tilly and the Buttons. 
• Buy fabric for the Nettie dress by Closet Case Patterns.  

I’m not expecting to finish all of the above, but it is nice to have it written somewhere. It makes it easier for me to remember what I actually want to make and not jump on any train of thought that may come by. 

A change of KAL plans

My gauge came out at 16 stitches/10 cm(4 in) on 4,5 mm needles, which means I will not be making the Marilyn sweater(21 st), and neither will I go shopping for the Tongue tied(26 st) right now. I’m surprised it knit up so largely, according to the WPI’s it should be more like a sport/DK weight. I have decided to knit the Aiken sweater by Andi Satterlund instead, it’s a long time favorite of mine. My gauge is still 2 stitches off, so I’m sizing down to compensate. It should work out fine.

That is only a few hours of knitting, the whole back lace panel finished. It’s knitting up crazy fast. I’m hoping to have it finished by the first week of October. 

The Vintage Sweater KAL

I’m participating in the Vintage Sweater KAL on Ravelry, hosted by Hannah of the Craftea Chat podcast and Meg of the Bad Wolf Girl Sits and Knits podcast. Plan A is to knit the Marilyn sweater from Interweave spring/summer 2016. I have found some lovely dark red wool yarn that I hopefully can hit gauge with. If that fails, I will probably buy some fingering weight yarn from Onion and knit the Tongue Tied sweater by Amy Appel/Poisongrrls. Both are lovely sweaters that I will knit sooner or later, KAL or no KAL.

The yarn is 100% wool from a mill here in Sweden. I bought it at an auction and I believe it is about 20-30 years old. Luckily, Swedish wool(well, any wool really) holds high standards and after a good soak the yarn is as good as new.

Making of Fifi

I fell in love with the Fifi pyjamas by Tilly and the Buttons the moment I saw it, and I’m finally making it. I cut the pattern and ironed the fabric today so that I can start sewing first thing tomorrow.

The fabric is a super soft, flowy cotton. I can’t make this fast enough, it’s going to be so comfy.

The camisole is cut on the bias, that’s going to be a new experience for med. Terrified and excited!