It’s true! Remember this sack like garment I posted about, er-hum, 7 weeks ago…
Yes, at a guess there was approximately 7 inches too much around my waist, with rather a lot of room for my less ample boobage. Since fooling you all in those pics by the canny use of a belt, this dress nearly completed, from my 1940s dress pattern, has been in residence on Barbarella
Always looking at me.
Until ….last week. How much did I want to wear it ? Lots!!! And do you know, it took far less time than I had thought. It has a pieced waistband, a gored skirt & a side opening that was intended to be press-studded up. My task was to take it apart at the waistband, reconfigure the bodice side seams to fit, get the waistband the right size then merely adjust the skirt top to accommodate & assemble. Oh yes, and insert an invisible side zipper. You know, just like that.
Do you agree with me that there are times when it’s just not appropriate or fitting for multiple takes to get that perfect face …I’d worn this out on its debut to the Knicker Blogger Glory meet up, was delayed in town afterwards to “keep Gary company for a couple of beers” after the lovely ladies had gone & was consequently pooped. The dress was a hair’s breadth from being chucked in the wash. Photos needed to be taken. “I don’t care, just take it” might have been issued from my lips just as the shutter went down.
But it is an overriding success. It fits. It has a waist. It’s super comfy & the best? It’s survived the wash without needing ironing! I am wearing it to work tomorrow …woo hoo! New frock. Thank you Debbie once again for sending me this fabric, I LOVE it. 
I’d say that looked a perfect fit! Lovely.
Hi Jane, thank you, yes, I’m so pleased with it now, it feels so much better
Wonderful result! The fit is great, the fabric amazing, and the piping and button. Oh, lovely! It enhances your tan too!
Oh Merche, anything to enhance a tan that never really got started this summer! Another reason to love this dress!
What a transformation! It’s so flattering and feminine, it looks perfect on you!
Thank you Paunnet! The nipped in waist makes me feel a lot more stylish than the “sack” look!!
For some reason I would usually rather start from scratch than fix something especially if there is a zipper involved, so I have deep admiration for your persistence. And it looks perfect now in both fit and style.
Exactly my way of approaching alterations Sigrid! That’s why it’s been lingering so long- the whole idea of taking out the seams, the zip, in fact I dreaded it as I just “don’t do” alterations! I am always in awe of others who are persistent in their fitting of a garment as that’s not usually my way – I kind of go for the first attempt & cross my fingers it fits! When it doesn’t I get super depressed or else spin into denial!
Winnie, it looks so great. Totally worth the effort, in my opinion!
Thank you Andrea, yes I think it will teach me that it is worth revisiting as I will wear it much more feeling that it’s right now …
Ooh! This is so cute! I’m glad you were able to fit it more– it’s really a perfect dress!
Thanks Ginger
Perfect! And even better in real life! Damn it, my master plan of hoping you’d kindly donate it to one of your curvier friends has failed miserably! x
Ha ha ha! Well, if it had failed this time, you never know, I don’t have infinite patience for alterations!!
Yay you saved it and so well! Clever you! xo
Thank you
It does feel like a save, youre right!
it looks amazing! what a great recovery.
weirdly, i am getting Handmade Jane’s details to reply from in the comments form – how weird! might be what the last few posts are all from her!
Yikes, not sure what was happening there, (maybe Jane couldnt resist numerous comments
! ) but you’ve sorted it now.
Thank you for your comment though
This dress looks lovely on you, just the right fit. How did you get that tan in this summers weather?
Ha ha! Tan? What tan?! Kind of like what sun?! I think my tan was the result of two Saturdays & maybe some wind-burn in Cornwall!
gorgeous, the dress looks perfect on you now :{)
It needed to be finished, I couldn’t allow such gorgeous fabric & such a gorgeous pattern linger …now could I?! x
Perfect fit! And best of all, you have a beautiful and very practical garment in your wardrobe, this dress is very flattering!
Thank you Rosy – yes it is going to be very practical – no ironing is SO much a strong characteristic!
Brilliant pooped facial expressions and lovely dress, I like the wash and go side of it too! I bought this fabric last week in Walthamstow and am not sure what to do with it, but it suits the vintage pattern perfectly, especially love the red ricrac!
Ha ha ha! Thanks Amy. Yes, highly recommend any fabric that doesn’t require ironing but can make such pretty dresses …it’s almost magic!
Lovely, Winnie! The rick-rack rocks. Glad it wasn’t too hard to fix up.
And, btw, I’m in love w/ your built-in bookcases; covet.
Rick rack always rocks, doesn’t it Karen! Thanks, & the bookcases (only Ikea) I notice after the event really need a good clear out …I think they’ve had the same things in them too long …
Fabulous!! What a great fix, and it looks great!
Thank you Lynne
Pretty, pretty, pretty. A perfect fix!
Yay, success! And what a lovely dress it is!
It turned out beautifully! Bravo for not giving up on it because it suits you very well
Thank you so much! I’m wearing it heaps at the moment, it’s just right with a cardigan for work…
This is absolutely gorgeous and looks lovely on you! I particularly like the flash of red inside the flutter sleeves in your last shot. I hope you stand this way while waiting for the bus, browsing the library, going to the supermarket so that others get the same treat!
Ahh! Thank you!! I’ve been wearing it to work lots so am sure that the red is getting flashed !!