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Well, it's Friday. That means you have a fantastic frock to sport this warm summer weekend. I included a couple tips below to help you feel more comfortable. I found that the only problem with this dress for me was not the straps but the dip in the front. I cut up an old bra so that you couldn't see it and I didn't have to change the look of the neckline but I must admit that it is too low for my taste. I'll have to only wear it when I'm without my kids unless I have a v-neck cami underneath but I really don't like doing that.
The one thing I would change is the back. It's okay, don't get me wrong, I like how it covers my bra hooks but if I were designing it I would have probably lowered it by about 3 inches and lengthened the straps instead. I like a little bit of my back showing in a dress. Then again, maybe it compensates for the low, low front.
I hope you liked this frock. I definitely did. AND I loved using the knit. It's so comfortable. I need to find more uses for it. I had so many compliments on the pattern, I'll let you in on a little secret, I bought it at JoAnn's in the discount section so if you liked it, you still might be able to find some there.
Remember to post your finished frock on Grosgrain Flickr so I can show them off to everyone else:)
Okay, let's get sewing....
Step 1: Overlap the two breast pieces by about 3/8" (or 1/4" if you can sew in a straight line). Pin. Sew up from the bottom by about two inches or as high as you need coverage for.
When you sew, try to use a thread that will disappear into your old stitches. Try to stitch overtop the stitches you made to hem the raw edge so everything blends well.
2. Another thing you can do is shorten the shoulder straps. There are a couple ways you can do this. If you're only going to shorten them by an inch or so, then just pinch the place where you originally sewed them to the breast piece and make another stitch parallel to the first and about 3/4" away from the first. Do this on the back of the strap as well.
If you need to shorten it more than that I recommend ripping out the stitches and cutting the sleeve by about 2 or more inches then reattaching it the same way you did on Thursday.
3. Another neat trick is to make a row of chain stitches and sew them to the middle of the shoulder strap at the top of your shoulder.
Use embroidery thread or any thin string and make a row of chain stitches. First make a slip knot, here's a quick video.
Then make the chain stiches, here's a video on how to make chain stitches.
4. Attach snaps to either end. Some like these. I didn't have any to show you but just hand sew them onto the chain stitch at either end and sew one of the snaps to the inside of the sleeve at the top of the shoulder.
AND ONE IMPORTANT THING. Keep your chain as small as you can because the longer it is, the more chance your bra strap will get away from your sleeve.
Even better, if you have a serger just make a small row of stitches and use that instead. The thread is finer.
Well, that's it, hope you found your way to the end without pulling out too much hair!
But I think it's all worth it, the end is my favorite part...by far.
Like not spending money?
42 {comments}:
Love the colors. Come see a pair of hot pink deer antlers.
this is the funkiest (and i mean that in a very good way) tara i've ever seen!
It looks great, but I totally understand about the neckline! when i wear something similar to that, i am never comfrtable until I change! the fabric is really cute for that dress, though!
Your dress looks great! I love the fabric you used.
Don't really understand why you keep saying "this is not my style,won't wear it in front of kids etc etc" while you have your boobs in full display for the whole world to see.
Karen,
I didn't say 'this is not my style' nor did I say 'won't wear it in front of kids'.
I said 'I must admit that it is too low for my taste' but I like the style of the dress. If I had a smaller cup size I'd wear this anywhere.
I also said 'I'll have to only wear it when I'm without my kids'. Meaning on a date night and not on a playdate. I've breastfeed all my girls so seeing me in this dress is hardly an issue. However, I think it's more appropriate to wear this dress as an evening dress 'in public'.
Lastly, if you want to write a rude comment at least link to your profile. A negative comment with just a name is almost as bad as an anonymous one.
And that's about the rudest thing I've ever written in my comments to someone, let alone some one else's comments. I can't imagine being so offensive to someone I hardly know or who's never done anything to me.
Let's all remember what we learned in first grade....if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Even my five year old can live up to that.
Kathleen, you look gorgeous, and this is a fantastic dress. I'm so sorry that person was so rude in their comment, that was so uncalled for. Thank you so much for doing these sewing projects, they have given me so much confidence as a sewer and really helped me. I appreciate you and your website so much, and I'm sorry someone felt the need to insult you.
I think it looks beautiful, but you know, if you don't want to save it for date night you could always use as a swim cover up during the day.
I love how yours turned out! Its super cute. I wasn't able to get material in time, but I might still do it. With mine, I'll probably end up sewing a piece of material to make it look like a cami and not have to worry about straps hanging out so its not so showy! Oh, and I might have to go searching for that material that you used at Joanns!
The chevron design is STUNNING!
Your dress is gorgeous. You are gorgeous! You are *by far* one of the most tasteful and professional bloggers out there, and that comment by Karen is simply jealously and plain old rabble-rousing.
Keep up the good work. You are fantastic.
-Sarah (whose rayon Tara is about 3 sizes too big :P)
love it! I wasn't sewing along with you but I was so curious how the finished product would look, especially because you were matching stripes! I agree with you about doing something different with the back next time - but the stripes definitely add interest there.
I think you look beautiful, I wouldn't say your putting anything "on display for the whole world to see." Sounds like a comment from someone who's not very happy with their appearance. It's really not over the top at all, I really hope you do wear it on a date night. :)
Ok.. I don't know who this "Karen" person is, but seriously.. GROW UP woman! Kathleen, your pictures were in very good taste. I too was a breastfeeding mom, so the boobage doesn't bother me. :)
I like what "Rachel" said in using it as a bathing suit coverup. It's a little low for me in the front, so I chose not to make this frock by Friday, but now I'm reconsidering and may have to make it this weekend. :) Good idea Rachel!
Um, ok, that was random. You've just spent all week sewing this dress while helping others sew it as well and this person expects you to *not* post a pic of it? What a weirdo.
I think it looks super cute and if the boobage bothers you, just put a bandeau top under it :)
Looks gorgeous! I will definitely have to try this one when life is less hectic. And as for that comment, wow.... you are offering people free sewing tutorials and giveaways! I am amazed how that can inspire someone to be so nasty!!!
Love it! You look stunning in it. I didn't follow along but I've been eying off the pattern for ages. It's winter in the southern hemisphere at the moment so maybe a project for a few months time. Thanks for all your gorgeous creations, very inspiring.
You look great as always and your dress came out fabulous! Thank you so much for your tutorials and answering my questions!
I love your dress! You look beautiful in it. Don't worry about mean comments - we all get them, and I just feel sorry for someone who would post something like that to a stranger. I haven't started my dress - just got my fabric today! But hopefully I can get it made this weekend, since it doesn't look like a hard project!
So pretty!
Here's a thought for the next Frock by Friday-
http://www.craftstylish.com/item/62585/free-twinkle-sews-dress-pattern
I plan on making this one for me soon anyway... It'd be fun to have some company/motivation!
yours look great! I started a day later than you did and i just finished mine! I actually love the bust line (i guess, i like to put my girls "for the world to see", lol! they look nice!) I hope to post my picture on sunday!
thanks for the inspiration and i am going to look for a stripe knit for this, cos yours is just soooo freaking cute and your picture with the hat is adorable!
You version of Tara is great, I never considered this pattern because of the veeeeery low neckline, but maybe I will try my own version after seeing yours!
This is beautiful. Wish I could sew better than I do.
Alison
Fabulous! I think the striped knit makes the dress!
Love it! I have black and white knit and I was waiting to see how your stripes came all together before I start cutting. Now I am ready to get going!
Thanks for another great frock! Can't wait for the next one...hope it is one of your designs!
mama*thayer,
I've been eying that dress for MONTHS! I was about to start it, too! Looks very doable!
:D
I really love this dress. You have a beautiful body and I personally think you *could* wear this just about anywhere....well, at least I would, LOL! But, it's about feeling comfortable, isn't it? I totally get that.
If you are taking suggestions for your next FbF (which is a genius concept for a blog, btw) I would love to see something one shouldered or asymetrical....or even one of your designs!
I love how you matched the stripes and did the chevron pattern. And, yes, as others have said, the fabric is gorgeous - I can't believe it was a discounted Joann's find! As for the exposure, I couldn't pull it off, but I breastfed my daughter for a year, and I know what that does to the girls. I see PLENTY of women wearing necklines like that when out with their kids and I was impressed that you would consider limiting this for date nights. I'm guessing your hubby would love to take you out in that!
So the "Love in the Afternoon" dress has two votes. :) That makes it official, right Kathleen? By the way, you're awesome for doing this! I had never sewn much for myself previous to the Frock by Friday features, at least not much that I would wear out in public. Now I have a sweet coffee date dress, and two shirt waist dresses that I modified the pattern on. Thanks for motivating me!
I agree with Brianne- could we do one of your dresses next time? I LOVE all of your designs and would love to have one in my closet!
BTW- Love the dress, so cute! I'm far too big on top for it but I could definitely make one for my sister who would look darling in it!
Looks so cute! Definitely more bust than I'd dare go for with wee ones around, haha, especially since they can turn modest shirts into peep shows in an instant regardless. Simple to remedy though.
This week was far too busy with renos for me to actually get to join the sew-a-long, despite buying the pattern... especially since it was my craft room that was largely being worked on. Soon, though, and your step by steps will help it go much faster than without! Hopefully I can do it in the next week or two and share.
What a great dress, the chevron lines are sooo flattering in the waist/hip area--perfect for most of us to wear!
I'd like to try it but don't know where to find the pattern for that.
I like your blog.
Greetings
☺☺☺
I am going to do this a week behind schedule (story of my life). If I am reading the directions correctly and am using a knit, is it correct that I do not need a serger as long as I use a stretch needle?
Thanks for all your inspiration.
Kirsten
Thank you so much for the step by step instructions! This is my first completed garment and I did it in only a week!
I did have some issues with sizing though. I went off my bust measurements and the dress ended up being huge. I had to take about an inch off each seam to get it to fit.
My husband loves this dress thanks to the neckline, so that you so much for the new date night dress!
Great dress.. the color are fantastic!
thanks!! mine turned out too big but i altered it down just fine, super cute and easy summer dress!! Would LOVE for you to do a wrap style summer dress on the next frock by friday i have been wanting to make one like that and easy too with no zipper! and don't let that rude comment bother you some people are so jealous and rude you look so pretty in your dress as usual!!
This dress looks darling on you--it would indeed be fabulous for a fun night out! I can't get over how cute the fabric is: what a great find. Thanks again for the wonderful sewing guidance you provide . . . can't wait until the next frock. Hope you are having a lovely summer!
I am new to sewing and love your blog! Also, you look great in the dress.
I think you look great! I hope the comment from "Karen" did not get you down. It sounds like she's jealous and angry and wants to lash out. I personally can't stand when other women start tearing other women down. I guess that happens everywhere even on craft blogs!
Too perfect. Your dress is gorgeous! I could read your archives for weeks! :) Rebecca
Thank you so much for these tips. I loved the dress, but was really hesitant about wearing it (I'm a bug busted gal too) But I think these tips might make it perfect!!! (highlighting the good without being vulgar ;) )
Your dress looks amazing! I love the stripes, but since this is my first dress, I'm going to stick with a solid. So I'll just have to make it again!
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