Thursday, October 8, 2009

Pattern Proofing

So, for my second ever blog post, more than 6 weeks after posting the first, I thought I'd talk about my new pattern.

The dress that will debut as my first pattern will be shown in the next issue of Sew Beautiful, #127, the Holiday Issue.  The dress is a washed dupioni silk tween age dress with a bolero style beaded jacket.   It has an empire, banded waist and slightly gathered skirt.  This particular dress features Italian Smocking but could be made without smocking.  It can also be made as a top to wear with jeans, with or without the jacket.  Here is a photo I took with my iPhone camera during the photo shoot last year.



The pattern will be available for sale and shipping by the end of October, 2009.

The dress was originally made in 2007 for my then-11-year-old daughter to wear for a Junior Cotillion dance, piano recital and the holidays.  I sent the original dress, my original muslin and the pattern pieces I could still find to the pattern grader last month and got it back about two weeks ago.  I really should have finished the proof by now but my plumbing/construction/family issues have been taking WAY more of my time than I'd like.  (More on that later...)

I won't lie.  It's kind of scary-exciting-knots-in-the-pit-of-your-stomach to see the pattern come back.  Honestly, I still get nervous when the magazine comes out each time that I have something in it.  So, before the pattern can be sent on to McCalls for printing in bulk, I have to make sure the graded sizes fit together correctly.  The original dress was a girls' size 16 but the pattern will be available in sizes 8 - 16.

Here is a peak at a couple of pieces cut out and ready to get stitched:




Wish me luck!  I'll let you know tomorrow how it came together.

3 comments:

  1. Congrats, Helen! Having seen your work up-close-and-personal, I can attest, it is fun. I am sure the big girls will love this pattern. WAY TO GO!
    maggieb!

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  2. Helen
    I love everything I have seen of yours in SB!!! Your designs and work is perfection!! Good luck with the pattern!!
    Sara

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  3. I loved this pattern in SB! Are many of your patterns going to be for older girls? If so, I will be very excited!

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