Distinctive Prints: Part 2

The dress is on hold for a couple of days as I await the arrival of an additional yard of fabric. I needed/wanted more of the border for the ties. They looked fine cut from the main print and I made sure they mirror-imaged each other but cut from the border they will look even better. Besides, there was a new jersey print over at Gorgeous Fabrics that I really wanted so that gave me an excuse!

So, yesterday I worked with another distinctive print that required careful cutting and matching. This is a rayon/lycra jersey that I purchased from Lucy’s Fabrics a few months ago. The pattern is Jalie 2449 – a TNT favorite of mine.

I made sure a full dot fell on the hemline and that the center fronts lined up.

I also adjusted the width of the neckband to allow for a full dot on the band. This meant the neckband ended up 1/4″ narrower than what the pattern called for. You will need to raise the body neckline up 1/4″ to accomodate the narrower width of the band. I simply marked the foldline on my band pattern piece and lined it up between two rows of dots. Easy!

To change the pattern a little, I added ties for a wrap-look. I did this very unscientifically: I sewed two long ties and pinned one to each side of the top I was wearing and tied them. Then I measured how much I wanted to cut off of each side. Notice that I also adjusted the width of the ties to the print. Because the dots are narrower on the lengthwise grain the ties are a bit narrower than the band but I still think this looks best. Once I tie a bow the differing widths are not noticeable.

Another thing I’ve been meaning to share with you are the wonderful china markers that I have been using to mark my fabric. I first read about them on Fashion Incubator and they are great! I use the yellow ones and the white ones to trace around my pattern or to mark within the seam allowances. I also use them to mark dart points about 1/4″ away from the actual point so that the dot will not show if it leaves a mark. If you are interested in buying them I was not able to find them in OfficeMax or Office Depot stores but I did order a box of each online for local delivery from Office Depot – weird that you can have them delivered but not pick them up yourself.

I wore this top today and a woman in the grocery asked me where I bought it stating that it was “her colorway and style”. I don’t think she believed me when I told her I had made it myself because she asked if I’d made it with a pattern and sewing machine and “everything” and if I’d been doing it all my life. Isn’t sewing great? A couple of hours and you have something unique!

Stay tuned for progress on the dress later in the week when my fabric arrives!