Fabric Godmother: Silhouette Vs Sewist

What happens when you choose a beautiful fabric when you're not in the *best* frame of mind? If you're like me, you probably rage sew it up, ending up with something that goes in a bag until you're ready to revisit.

I chose this absolutely gorgeous viscose sateen from Fabric Godmother last year, in the middle of the upside-down whirlwind of packing up for a break from NYC, and by the time it arrived on our new and temporary doorstep, I was in a better frame of mind...with very little idea of why I picked such a somber print out of all the eye-popping, technicolor offerings Josie has in her viscose collection. But, I couldn't slam sew this one. This luscious fabric was intended for a collaboration, so I had to sew something up, and, I had to do this elegant (though out of my color wheelhouse) fabric justice. 

So basically I had to squelch all my usual impulsive tendencies. Which maybe is not a bad thing to do every once in a while.

Justice is not served *just* yet. 

I was intending on making another one of these beauties, then realized I hadn't packed that particular pattern in my suitcase. Whomp whomp. So, I decided that I'd jog myself into stitching by choosing an out-of-the-ordinary silhouette for this out-of-my-ordinary print, with McCall's 8104.

I was pretty stoked at the fit of the bodice, and the fluttery sleeves. But I was determined to use all 5 yards of this watery, supple yardage, so I maxi-fied the dress, and added a gathered tier.

And then came the front band. Which tried to kill me. And when I say it tried to kill me, I *might* mean I tried to do myself in, because I'm not sure if it was the fault of the pattern instructions, or my own battle to sew sans rage. But it most certainly was NOT the fabric, which handled like a dream. I'm talking Lamborghini dream.

I think the combo of silhouette and color is where things went south...although, looking at these pictures, I think the silhouette is pretty great! Probably because the smile on my face is real. But, somehow when I walk around in it, or catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I just don't feel like me. 

So, that said: if you squint at these pictures, you'll see a few staged bits underneath that smile. The hemline is just the raw selvedge edge (which actually is a lovely edge, I don't mind that bit), the center back waist is pinched with a safety pin, and that rebellious front band is pinned shut. Putting buttonholes in this gal was where I drew the line. 

But I think it's important to share the things that don't turn out the way we want, and admit that whether it looks great or not, it might need to change! I decided this dress needs to be a memory changer. I want to be able to look back on photographic evidence of what this 2020 sew was, once I do reconfigure it in a better mindset. Maybe a jumpsuit! Who knows when it'll happen. But it WILL be restitched. Because honest to 2021, this fabric really is beautiful. In case I've buried the lead there, imma put that in all caps:

THIS FABRIC IS BEEEEEE-YOOOOOOTIFUL.

On top of that, Josie is one of those rare birds who's on board with valuing her collaborator's time and effort, and this is a compensated collaboration (although I did immediately exchange my payment for more fabric from her shop. And I chose technicolor fabric! Go past me!). I truly appreciate her doing what she can, so that creators and shops support each other.

Go check out her collection, you really won't be disappointed, I love every bit of what I got, even if I did make a somber color choice on this soon-to-be reborn baby. (And, if you have any ideas on what that rebirth might be, go on ahead and holler at me!)