Weekend Project: Dressing a Doll, Take 2

The sound principle of a topsy-turvy lifestyle in the framework of an upside-down world order has stood every test.

~ Karl Kraus

You may remember from last weekend that my first attempt at dressmaking for Mattie using Patternmaker software yielded a dress that was baggy in the bodice, but fit well in the hips.  I tried printing the pattern again in the same size, but using smaller seam allowances - 1/4 inch instead of 1/2 inch.  

I also switched from a cotton print to a linen remnant from my stash.  

While the fit is generally improved, for some reason Mattie feels off-kilter in this new version of the simple shift...  ;)

Or maybe she is just a fan of Karl Klaus?  (see quote above)  

(Sometimes I hate Blogger.)

Notice that I've already broken Wendy's guideline to always insert the sleeves flat - before closing up the side seams...  Oh-oh...  :(

Guess what thought did NOT occur to Mrs. Genius here?  

If reducing the SA might tighten up the extra fabric in the bust and waist area, it might also tighten up the nicely fitting hip area!  ;)

It's not too bad, but it's definitely snugger in the hips than the first version.  And it might be pulling downwards somehow - do you see those wrinkles slanting downwards from her right side towards the center of her back?  What do you think is causing that?  Tightness around the hips?  

Working with Mattie's clothes may help me learn more about fitting - that would be a nice unintended consequence...  :)

Another thing keeping me busy these days - planning a going away party for my friend Ana.  Who knew, when I, a mono-lingual English speaker, hesitantly offered sewing lessons to a mono-lingual Spanish speaker 4 years ago, that I would end up with such a good friend?  

Anyways, we looked at venues over the weekend and we are going to use this one:  

Isn't it beautiful?  (We'll be using larger round tables that seat 8.)  Ana has put together a guest list of about 100 people, and a small group of her friends are going to be making the food and providing live music.  I think it will be a very special night!  :)

Finally, Oliver gives a sleepy-eyed blink "Hi!" from atop a pile of fabric remnants in the sewing room.