New Look 6557 - again

Well it's been a while since my last post, my excuse is a change of job and working hours and therefore not the same times to get my creative juices flowing.

This is the fabric I bought a few weeks ago (Red spotty fabric) I decided then that I wanted to make this pattern again, only I decided I'd make view D (I made view B last time).

This time, the cutting out was so much quicker, maybe because I knew the pattern or perhaps I was just a bit more with it! The pattern certainly went together a lot more quickly. I decided to topstitch the top of the bodice with red cotton. I've also used this on the back for the zip.

The confusing part of the pattern is attaching the back facing. This needs to be done with the front bodice part underneath it somehow. The hardest part is trying not to catch the main front of the bodice in the stitching. I really wish I'd made a toile, because I needed to take the side seams in after I'd stitched them. [The problem is, I'm lazy and want to get something made quickly! Then I end up unpicking and playing around with the finished article.]

The side seams went together well though. The pattern doesn't suggest zig-zagging the seams to reinforce them, but I tend to do this.

I cheated with the zip. The pattern asks for a lapped zip, but I decided that it would be easier to put in a centred zip so I could also take in some of the fabric at the waist a bit more. As you can see, I've taken in quite a bit at the waist, this is quite big otherwise. The zip is OK, not exactly straight, I'm hoping that because I can't see it, no one else can.

I'm quite pleased with the finished dress, but it's quite big around the bust and all there is to hold it up is the halterneck! The ease on the pattern is only about an inch, but it's way more than that once it's made up. I'll just have to make sure I don't lose any weight around the bust (Mr N will be happy with that!) I've only got a small hem this time, but possibly it may have been better with a larger hem to make the fabric hang better. It could possibly do with a thin muslin lining, but it's perfect for the summer, and I can't see myself wearing it in the winter!!

I wonder if I've time to make anything else before I go away again??