Today I’m sharing a lovely Patterns for Pirates Sweetheart dress for the Dress Up This Town blog tour, hosted by Sewing by Ti.  This month the tour includes a chance to win awesome prizes!  See the end of my post for details.

Can you believe I’d somehow never sewn a Sweetheart before?  The one I made for my mom actually came after this one. 😉

I actually received the stripes in a scrap pack from Knitpop quite a while ago, and then quickly scooped up the floral (both are double brushed poly), planning this dress.  Things got in the way and somehow I couldn’t sew it up until months later.  But I’d say it was worth the wait!

I’ve been learning more about how to fit my measurements more exactly, mainly by trial and error.  I generally prefer looser fitting clothing, but of course there are some exceptions, the Sweetheart bodice being one.  First, it has to hit right at the waist otherwise it’s not super flattering.  Even though I am tall, I had to actually remove 1″ from the bottom, because I have a disproportionally short waist (most of my height is in my hips and legs).

Second, I adjusted the armsyce and sleeve – the other part of my height is in my shoulders.  I’ve realized recently that the shoulders of a lot of my shirts are somewhat tight (including ready to wear).  I also am particularly sensitive to the armpit seam and if it digs in at all it drives me insane.  So I’ve started adding 1″ to my arm openings of my shirts, and likewise the sleeve (when applicable).  This has 100% solved my problems!  Just another reason to sew for myself.

I’ve recently started really enjoying bindings…I just find them very satisfying!  For this one I choose to do a bias binding on the neckline to add extra bit of interest with the stripes.  Then I topstitched with my twin needle for the perfect finish.

That’s it from me!  Short and sweet.  Oh, but I do have one more thing…a word of caution.  Don’t be caught in a drafty alley in a circle skirt.

Elisabeth

Pattern: Patterns for Pirates Sweetheart Dress | Fabric: Double Brushed Poly, Knitpop

Now on to the prizes!!

1 Pattern Designer Stitch
$10 Shop Credit to Patterns For Pirates
$10 Shop Credit to Simply By Ti
1 Pattern Sisboom

How to win?  Enter the Raffelecopter drawing here!!

Be sure to check out my fellow bloggers, who have been posting all month around the same theme.

Week 1: July 1st-8th
1- Sewing By Ti (Intro) & Stitching At Night
2- Me Made
3- Tenille’s Thread
4- Sewing By Ti
5- Seams Sew Lo
6- Anne Mari Sews
7- Sea of Estrogen
8- Lulu and Celeste

Week 2: July 9th-15th
9- Living in Twinado Valley
10- Ma Moose
11- My Heart Will Sew On
12- Seams Sew Lo
13- Kate Will Knit
14- Creative Counselor
15- Sewing With Sarah

Week 3: July 16th-22nd
16- Stitching and Making
17- That’s Sew Lily
18- Sprouting Jube Jube
19- Auschick Sews
20- Anne Mari Sews
21- Lulu and Celeste
22- On Wednesdays We Sew

Week 4: July 23rd-31st
23- Stitching At Night
24- Sewing Curves
25- My Heart Will Sew On
26- Indulging Mum
27- That’s Sew Lily
28- Adventures With Bubba and Bug
29- Capture, Craft Cook
30- Sewing By Ti
31- Sew Like a Sloth