The Turquoise Truffle Sorbetto

I'm sure that you are sitting in your chair (or laying on my bed as I do often while checking my blogs) and asking...

"Montana, don't you sew anything other than sorbetto blouses?!"  Truth time.  Yes.  Yes, I do.  BUT, when I'm short on time and need a sewing fix, there is nothing quite as satisfying, especially since I love love love them!  They are so fun to wear.

As you guessed it, here is another one!

I was planning on taking pictures along the way to show you the construction of the tucks.  But I got too excited and forgot.  Oops.  You'll just have to imagine if you will.  I originally wanted to try pin-tucks, but had an idea in my mind that I didn't quite have the fabric for.  So, I settled for just regular old tucks with a much smaller version of the original box pleat in the center.

I wasn't able to tuck in the perfect amount of fabric in order to use up all the fabric alotted for the box pleat, but that just meant that I had my roommate help me with the side seams, which ended up with an awesome fit that I love :)

Another fun adjustment is the back neck.  I have noticed that the back of my sorbetto's tend to gape slightly when my shoulders are not slouched.  Now, this may be a whole different fitting issue in itself like the slope of my shoulders, or an incorrect back width or between the armsyces (armsycies? armscye?  armsceese?!  Really, what is the plural for that???) or something.  I will really have to consult my Fit for Real People, one of these days.  But anyhow.  To quick fix the problem on this top, I just made a quick inverted pleat in the center!  It actually turned out way more adorable than I planned.  And, of course, this gave me just the excuse that I needed to put a fabulous, sparkly, vintage button on the back :)

And I shall name thee, the Turquoise Truffle Sorbetto.  And you shall be mine!

Peony Fitting Issues

First Goal of the New Year:  The Colette Peony!

I saw this pattern when Colette first released it with it's fall patterns, and to be honest, I wasn't super impressed...  and then I saw it made up in some patterned fabrics and fell in LOVE!  I had bought some Amy Butler fabric on a whim, and just happened to have enough, because when I started thinking about making the Peony, I realized I already had the perfect fabric in my stash!  But I am determined to make this dress well, and be happy with the fit when I'm done! 

I've discovered that I am fairly picky with bodices.  And, I really don't think I've made one yet that I like.  It is time for this to change.  So, I'm working on the fit, and I don't know how I feel about it.

I made a muslin of the bodice ( I haven't yet attached the sleeves, I wanted to get a fit for the bust part first.)  I was horrified at first because the neck was sooo high!  I felt like I was choking, but when I turned it down such as it would be with the facing attached, it felt better.  I also felt like there was way too much fabric across the back shoulders, but when I put in the zipper, it felt a little better.

I talked my love into taking a few pictures for me so that I could analyze the fit better and hopefully get some suggestions from you! 

One of the biggest things that I have found is that I feel like the front, underneath the bust is way off.  After looking closely, I think the verticle darts need to be moved outward about an inch, they are not pointing towards the bust point, they could also be shortened about a 1/2 in. I think.  I'm not sure if this will help with the bagginess or not though...  Will it be different with a skirts weight to pull down on the front?  Is there a way to shape the darts differently so that I don't have quite so much fabric there?

Based on feel, I thought the back was going to need some major adjustments, but based on the picutres, I was actually quite pleased.  Maybe a slight swayback adjustment is in order, but I am not sure.  Confession:  I have never actually done a swayback adjustment, and only fairly recently (within the last 3 months or so) figured out what the heck a swayback adjustment meant!  (If you are new like me, here is a post by Gertie that gives you an idea of what a swayback adjustment is...) But after checking with my Fit for Real People, I realize it would be a fairly easy adjustment, and I'm hoping it should take the few little wrinkles out in the middle there.


What do you think?!  I am relying on you my friends!  I don't have anyone else to help me, so please by all means, shout out any ideas!  I appreciate any feedback! 

I'm super excited to just get to making this dress, but I also don't want to waste my time to end up with a mediocre product, so I'm really trying to pace myself.

Side note:  This is also the first time that I have traced a pattern!  I used freezer paper, as suggested in the Colette Sewing Handbook!  It worked wonderfully!

Looking forward to your ideas and comments!  Thanks so much for stopping by!