Another retro-ey work dress, this one I don't love

Another retro-ey work dress, this one I don't love

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• 2.10.2011

Since we moved in to the new house I haven't been able to sew (I don't even know where my iron is, currently), but I can share with you a dress I made just before the move and cut out at my crazy cutting party day.  It was really helpful to have a bunch of projects cut out at once!  Now I can make them without worrying about clearing off the dining room table.

Anyway I made this dress using the bodice of Simplicity 2444, a Project Runway pattern that I used on a vintage-ey dress I wore for some of our engagement pics.  The skirt I did differently, using a basic darted pencil skirt pattern.

I used the bias neck band on both...

But on this new one I tried a twisted look, like I've done before on simple modern things.  It worked pretty well, not too lumpy and wide enough that it holds the look better than the skirt I tried it on.  This dress is made of a poly suiting, a $1.50/yard or so find on a half off clearance rack event at JoAnn's.

The fit is pretty good, after I took in quite a lot at the side and back seams.  Crazy modern patterns, shaped to fit like sacks.  I made this one zip at the side instead of up the center back--easier to get into and less noticeable!  All you can see is the little zipper pull hanging down when I raise my arm.

Anyway, the sad story about this dress is, literally as I finished the last bit of sewing, I realized--wait--I don't like clothes that are this close to my skin color.  They make me feel fat.  It's silly, I know, but I don't usually like slim-fitting pale pink tees or tannish camis and blouses.  I feel like a blob with no defined curves or lines.  Obviously this dress doesn't have that problem... but I'm still just not sure how I feel about it!!  I guess I like to stand out more.  What do you think?  I honestly can't imagine how I could wear this dress and like it.  A colorful cardi over it seems weird, like I'd look naked underneath.  A black blazer might be too contrast-ey.  Maaaaybe a colorful belt and shoes... but what color?  Red is all I can think of.  I don't know...

At least it was cheap fabric, but it is frustrating to realize at the last seam on a project, "Wait, I'm never going to wear this..."