Holiday Sewing #2: Burda Magazine 2009 E988 dress 5A.

 

Introduction:

At the risk of sounding like an avid garment sew-er, I am presenting you another piece.
It is the last of my sewing experiment for 2011, I assure you.

Objectives:
1. Learn to Sew a Dress -- to watch and learn from this Craftsy online course!
2. Practice, practice, practice.

Materials and Methods:
1. Learn to Sew a Dress video
2. Lightweight cotton fabric, of which I had 5 Metres to play with.
3. Fifties theme easy dress pattern from Burda Magazine Spring/Summer 2009, E988 dress 5A.
4. 25" YKK Zipper

Results:

 

 

1. Learn to Sew a Dress video

This video course by Gretchen Hirsch took me through each step of the sewing process. The explanations were clear, and to say that I was mighty inspired is an understatement. There are about 15 segments to this course. After the 8th segment, I wanted badly to get on with some sewing :D

2. Material

Lightweight cotton being... lightweight, I double-layered the top bodice for more opacity.
The width of the fabric was narrow, hence a less voluminous skirt bottom.

3. Sewing Pattern
This was a French version of Burda Magazine 2009. I bought it while visiting Luxembourg. Nevermind about the language; diagrams are international.
This fifties dress caught my eye, as it was filed under the Easy category.
I lowered the neckline, as you can spot.

With this pattern, I have made my first fitted bodice + skirt bottom dress!

Discussion:
1. The Hubs said it looked like a school uniform :D
2. An invisible zipper would have been nice, but I used what I had on hand. Nothing a cardigan can't hide.
3. Garment-making is apparently all about technique and precision! After making this dress, I found myself searching for tracing wheels and papers.
Thanks to sellers on Etsy, I bought myself vintage tracing papers and wheels.
I can't wait for March (!), so I can finish the other 7 segments to the Craftsy course.