Think Cool

I had hoped to get his dress finished today. B U T >>>>>>>>>>>

Day 20 (consecutive days) of 100+ temps here in the metroplex.  I try to get errands, etc. done prior to noon so I can veg in the house under the A/C until round 8 p.m. when I go out to feed outside critters. 

I went to my knitting group this a.m. and got home shortly after noon.  After a bite to eat, I headed for the sewing room with this green butterfly fabric on my mind.  I wanted another dress that doesn't touch the body except for the shoulders.  (think cool).  I went through the "current" patterns and didn't find one that jumped out at me for this print.  On to the "recent vintage" box.  I decided on this McCalls dated 1999.  I chose it because of the front french dart, and it also has back darts (which I may or may not sew). 

Cutting went smooth.  Lowered the dart about 1.5" and adjusted the shoulder seams for forward shoulder and that was it for alteration.  It has the neck/arm facing combined as one.  I used the method of sewing the shoulder seams, and attaching the facing at the armscyes and neckline and pulling thru the shoulder seam to the right side.  Pattern calls for a zipper.  I've gotten to the point that I try to get away without using a zipper, but I felt with the darts, I'd better bite the bullet. 

That's where things got slow........I've done dozens of invisible zippers, but Murphy was alive and well in the sewing room at that point.  Suffice it to say that I got the zipper twisted while basting--rip--missed the mark at the matching the neckline--rip--had an issue with the zipper foot--fixed......finally when it was time to decide on something for dinner, the zipper was in.

I was trying hard to make sure I didn't have a butterfly at either "strategic" front points and ended up with the big belly butterfly.  Oh well.  Not enough fabric to cut another; THIS WILL DO.

The sideseams, the back darts and the hem is all that is left.  It SHOULDN'T take that long to complete.  Hopefully, Murphy has fled the sewing room by now.

I will have plenty of time to wear it if it turns out well in the end as I KNOW there are plenty of 100+ degree days left---consecutive or otherwise.  Afterall, the month of August is still to come!

And p.s. to Susan who left a comment in my last post regarding Pursley's.  This Pursley is located in Duncanville, Texas.  He also had a smaller store in Lancaster, Texas.  It's tough seeing them close.  They have been in business about 50 years I think.  I will miss them!