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New Look 6122:A Humbling Experience

08/06/2012

Once in awhile a sewing project comes along that gets the better of me.
It’s usually a project that upon examining, I consider easy.
“Oh, I can knock this out in a couple of hours.”
That’s what I thought about New Look 6122.
The whole experience was almost a disaster, but in in the end, I saved the dress.
But sewing can be a humbling experience….
So where do I start explaining the many mistakes that were made?
First, I made the mistake of only buying two meters of this interesting cotton knit on my trip to Tokyo. It was only two dollars a yard, too! I should have bought at least three yards, considering how narrow it was.
New Look 6122 was supposed to be the maxi dress with the lovely draped neckline. 
Once I cut out the first half of the maxi skirt I realized there was no way I was going to have enough fabric for the other side of the skirt. I would have to make the shorter version which this print didn’t have in mind!
I also had failed to notice that the bodice was supposed to be cut on the bias. The pattern has a pretty, draped neckline. When I laid the piece down to cut it out, I realized I didn’t have enough fabric to cut the neckline on the bias and would have to cut it on the straight grain. What was I thinking?
It’s impossible to get a proper draped neckline on the straight grain as you can see below.

Once again, I had brazenly disregarded the directions on the pattern, thinking I could just wing it,  and soldiering on ahead, as I usually do. 
Was this a metaphor for my life?
I hadn’t sunk to sewing depths this low for some time…

No amount of fussing would get this neckline to lie down flat.
I had to take the whole bodice apart and reshape it, creating a totally different style from what I wanted.
Yikes, this new bodice combined with this print gives me a bit of the dreaded mono boob look!
While I think this fabric would have looked fabulous as a maxi dress, I wasn’t sure if it worked as a knee length dress.
To avoid looking too frumpy, which I worry more and more about lately, I hemmed the dress a couple of inches shorter than my knees.
But now I think I may like it better at the longer length.
I didn’t think I like the dress very much, but yesterday I wore it to the beach with some flip flops and I think it makes a good casual sundress.
Just not the showstopping draped neckline maxi dress I was hoping for!

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-McKenzie

Filed Under: Sewing for myself

About Justine

You made it to the end of the post! Please stop by often for a variety of sewing projects, clothes making tips , and stylish handmade living. Feel free to email me at justine @ sewcountrychick.com if you have questions.

Comments

  1. House of Pinheiro says

    08/06/2012 at 7:19 am

    Ohhh , when this happens really makes us consider some bad habits or automatic decisions we take.. You manage to save it beautifully…

  2. Renae says

    08/06/2012 at 10:51 am

    I quite like it – you’ve done a great job saving it. I really like this pattern but haven’t bought it yet – its still winter here and I’m not quite ready to see for summer!

  3. Jessica at Me Sew Crazy says

    08/06/2012 at 11:21 am

    hahahhahahha – sorry Justine, I am actually really sorry for the frustration you felt while making this dress. Boy – do I know that feeling! But the post made me laugh nonetheless. I don’t see the monoboob, but I know the feeling!

    I think the dress looks great!

  4. Marie says

    08/06/2012 at 11:35 am

    I mean this in the best way possible, but it’s great to know that even amazing seamstresses like yourself have off days in sewing ;o) What matters though is that you really turned it around and although your dress is not what you had in mind, you still have a very cute summer dress to chill out in!

  5. Sew Blessed Maw says

    08/06/2012 at 12:40 pm

    You did a great job, turning this around. .Really pretty sundress. So sorry you had to go through the frustration though… Happy sewing.

  6. Justine of SewCountryChick says

    08/06/2012 at 3:04 pm

    Thanks everyone! I am feeling a bit better about life in general today!

  7. cuckoochanel says

    08/06/2012 at 3:14 pm

    Great save! And totally no monoboob!! Thanks for the post. This was one pattern I had every ambition of making several of this summer, but it didn’t happen. When I do get around to it, I will heed your advice! You look great. The length is perfect for you. Sorry about the tribulations, but it paid off in the end.

  8. DeniseAngela says

    08/06/2012 at 8:12 pm

    Love that you did not give up…..you have given me inspiration to finish my Vogue jumpsuit which was last summers nightmare project! I really like the fabric & the fit on you is fabulous….& I hear you about the frumpy bit..lol

  9. Cindy says

    08/06/2012 at 9:00 pm

    Why is it always those seemingly simple projects that end up kicking our butts??? Anyhow, I think your save makes for a rather cute sundress! Sorry for all the frustrations.:)

  10. vintage grey says

    08/07/2012 at 2:57 am

    You did a great job!! I would not have been able to master it as you did!! You look beautiful in it!! xo Heather

  11. HeathersSphere says

    08/07/2012 at 4:49 am

    Clever save of your now trendy and very attractive dress on you! What monoboob? In fact, I find the square neckline flattering on you.

  12. Janelle MacKay says

    08/07/2012 at 6:28 am

    I love it, and I see no mono boobs. I think it makes a cute summer dress and it’s very flattering… and oooh… wait… I think it’s about my size. Um, yes… I think it could be. Oh your really don’t want it, it doesn’t flatter after all. I think I could take it off of your hands ; )

    • Justine of SewCountryChick says

      08/07/2012 at 2:37 pm

      Ha ha Janelle!

  13. sewVery says

    08/08/2012 at 3:14 pm

    Great save! I think it looks great on you.

  14. Jumpo London says

    08/09/2012 at 11:24 am

    love these photos you look fantastic.

    Ladies Fashion Coats

  15. Simone says

    08/14/2012 at 7:52 pm

    Wow that’s amazing, what a save! When I do things like that I try to soldier on & then get frustrated & the project usually ends up languishing in a corner some where. Next time I shall persevere, thank you for sharing.

  16. Simone says

    08/14/2012 at 7:53 pm

    Wow that’s amazing, what a save! When I do things like that I try to soldier on & then get frustrated & the project usually ends up languishing in a corner some where. Next time I shall persevere, thank you for sharing.



I'm Justine! Welcome to my sewing blog! Here you'll find lots of handmade clothing for myself and other lucky folks! I'm a native Los Angeleno who moved to a small farm outside of LA with my family.

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