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Sunday, September 8, 2013

My version of Gertie's Wiggle Dress - Step Two: Finished Dress

I have finished my version of Gertie's Wiggle dress.  I made the muslin and learned how to do two new techniques (underarm gussets and a vent in the back of the skirt).  I am also glad I made it because I realized that I needed to cut a size smaller if it was going to look right.  Here is the result.
 I picked a red polyester/wool blend.  Then, after I had the dress mostly done except for some hand sewing when I noticed that there are a lot of seasons of Man Men available on Netflix... so I dug in and spied this on episode 6 of season one.
It is really almost the same dress.  The back of the Gertie dress is a v and the one Joan is wearing on  Mad Men is rounded, but otherwise the fit and the style are really similar.  In a good way. This is my best Joan impression.  I didn't have a table in front of the camera, so I just leaned over and looked at the camera like I meant business. Or I was hungry.  Either way.
I love the lapped zipper and the v in the back.  I'll be honest, if it weren't for some fine foundation garments, there is no way I would post a photo of my backside.  But here it is.  I love you, foundation garment.  And chocolate.  I love you, too, chocolate.  I'll never give you up.
 Mine still isn't as tight as Joan's dress.  I decided that I might want to sit, move or breathe sometimes when wearing it, so I made it a little looser.  Maybe with a true stretch fabric, I could make it more fitted.
 The Details:
Fabric: 2 1/2 yards from SAS: 10.00 - content unknown... it was on the sale pile.
Zipper from SAS: .25
Organza for gussets: 1/4 yard: 2.50
Fusible Interfacing: leftover from another project: 0.00
Total: $12.75
 Pattern: Wiggle Dress from Gertie 's New Book for Better Sewing

Other Details:
The inside seams are sergered, except for the facing, which I applied a bias tape to.  I wasn't going to do the facings at all and switch to bias binding, but in the end, I just didn't want to deviate from the pattern.  I think I will be sewing this again, so I'll try bias instead of facings on the next version.  Bottom line it that I love this dress and would definitely recommend sewing it.  It goes together really quickly with not much hand-sewing.  There are only four pattern pieces if you don't count the facings. 

Tracing around the pattern pieces is a little annoying (see Wiggle Dress, step 1), but in the end, worth it.

I am still not convinced I've sewn something I can wear to the office, though.  It is a little more "LOOK AT ME!" than I generally go with.  Someday I will sew something practical.  But not even the next dress because it is another version of this pattern.  I am also anxious to try another one of Gertie's patterns from the book.

I am happy to submit this dress into the Mad Men challenge this year on Julia Bobbin's blog.  I can't wait to see the other entries! Everyone always does such a good job.

 
Image from Julia Bobbin's Blog.

17 comments:

  1. You look stunning in this dress! Foundation garments or not, you don't have much to worry about in the back-department ;)

    I agree that it might be a bit show-stopping for office wear, but imo it might just be the color? I think it would be lovely in a forest green or navy :)

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    1. I just got told I had a nice rear. Tee hee! I don't live that reality every day. Yes, maybe a nice navy would be good. And maybe a thick stretch cotton.

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  2. Definitely a "Look at me" dress in the best way possible, you look amazing in it!!!! Those princess seams sit so perfectly and the back is divine. It was so worth all the work, it's great to see it finished. Well done, massive thumbs up (who cares about practical, go to shop and get some bread in it ;)

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    1. Maybe I'll start working out in it, too. Thanks for the lovely compliments. It's nice to have a project turn out nice. Some of them haven't for me in the last year.

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  3. Hi there
    you looke great in this dress, be proud of your backside, it looks gorgeous!

    By the way ... what is wrong with wearing this dress at work? With flats, a brooch and "hair-up-do classico" you can look demure, professional and a bit dangerous all at the same time ... and when has that ever been a disadvantage ;)

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    1. My office is much more casual. I think it would draw attention to myself in bad ways. I am an IT geek who wears dull browns, greys and blacks with flat shoes as the norm... haha! You said nice backside... I am going to come back and read the comments a few times when I am having a bad day. Thanks. :)

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  4. Looks great on you :) good job

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  5. Beautiful! Nothing like a close fitting red dress, and well made to boot. You look fab fab fab...

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  6. I love this! I have been a little scared to attempt this pattern as I have no idea how to work the gussets. Was it difficult? I submitted a Betty dress for the challenge that you can check out on my blog but after seeing all the amazing Joan dresses like yours, maybe I should have made two!! :)

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    Replies
    1. It wasn't as difficult as I thought that it would be. Just pay close attention to your own measurements. I had to combine a smaller size for the top and and a bigger size for the bottom... because of the bedunk a dunk situation I have going on.
      I love the dress you made! I checked it out and it looks so nice!

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  7. Ooh I love this, especially in red! Did you find the gussets as gut wrenching as I did? You look great in it! It would be so wonderful for a date night out!

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    1. Thanks! I was ok with the gussets... at first it was a little strange, but then I realized they are just like welt pockets, which I did in a craftsy class... I think it was on of Gertie's actually. The whole class wasn't that good (they have since taken it off), but the welt pocket lesson was actually really good.

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  8. What a great dress! I love the fit and the colour. Joan would be proud! *^v^*

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  9. i'm so impressed. I got that Gertie book and havent started a dress yet, but now, you have inspired me. And, BTW, I'm a Phoenician too...What would we ever do without SAS?

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  10. A knockout look! It looks amazing!

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  11. This is gorgeous! I'm not sure why I never attempted to make this dress, given how much I love every version of it I've seen - probably something to do with needing to make a thorough muslin. Once I've got the new book out of my system I'll definitely try this one out

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  12. I agree with the others! The dress is terrific, and you look great in it!

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