Friday, April 6, 2012

So That's What Happens: Neckline Distortion

One of my wardrobe heroes for the past 17 or 18 summers has been a black and white print dress from Laura Ashley. Bought in a Laura Ashley store, back when there was such a thing. It is a linen and rayon blend, cut on the bias, pulls over the head, and has a modest v neck with a narrow binding.

I always wanted to make something similar, and there have been attempts. This week I've been attempting it again, this time with an OOP Burda pattern. I will retrieve the pattern number for my pattern review of this dress, which won't happen until I get it hemmed.



The Burda pattern had a scoop neckline, but I wanted that v neck. I consulted books and proceeded to cut out, stay stitch the neckline, assemble the panels and bind the neckline. I put it on and gasped out loud: the neckline was drooping and sagging and gaping. Darn it: I thought I was doing the right things, but it went all wrong.


Uncharacteristically, I realized that this problem needed some thinking over rather than some frenzied ripping apart. I posted a question on PatternReview, and received many helpful suggestions.

My solution as of this evening was to make a pleat to pull in the excess fullness. I am thinking it maybe looks like the pleated necklines that are in style; you know, the ones that are not covering up a mistake?



What do we think? Does this look okay or odd? The alternative is to remove the bias binding, try my best to reshape and stabilize the cut edge and finish it with fold over elastic. Miraculously, I have a color which matches very well. I think the elastic could possibly work, but there are so many variables that I hesitate to try it.

I am so grateful for all of the very helpful responses on PatternReview! What a terrific resource to have access to such knowledgeable and generous sewers.

5 comments:

  1. I like it as is :-)

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  2. I think that it is a great "save"! keep it as is.

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    1. Audrey, I like your way of thinking!! Thanks so much for weighing in.

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  3. Great save! It looks like it's meant to be like that.

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    1. Catherine, thanks for your feedback! I'm leaning toward leaving it that way, and hearing that it looks okay is really helpful.

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