from the looks of my latest garments, it would seem i'm in a blue mood lately, but actually i'm quite happy to show you this dress, the giselle, from kate and rose patterns.
when kati asked if i'd like to test this pattern, to be honest, i hesitated. testing takes time, more time actually than it takes to make a garment (and we all know that. shit. takes. time) so i'm careful about what i say yes to. i ask myself many questions: do i have time? do i have fabric? is it my style?
that last one gave me pause. my higher self noted the silence, and attacked: oona. HEY OONA. PAY ATTENTION. is that your style? or is that the style you WANT to be? OONA YOU LISTEN TO ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU DAMMIT.
beaten into submission by higheroona, i had to admit: with the giselle, it was the latter. y'all, i love that willowy romantic hippie free people look like nobody's business. I LOVE IT. i want to be a sun kissed 5'8 loungey lass with a mane of highlights kissed by fuschia and ocean blue tips chalked on by hand.
no, higheroona. i am not that girl. BUT I SAID YES ANYWAYS.
and oh! in this dress! i swan about with a subtle smile caressing my cheeks like i'm wafting through town in my own private bubble of vintage love. and people look at me like i'm bananas.
WHATEVER PEOPLE BECAUSE OH MY GOD SOOOOO HAPPY.
i made two versions of the bodice, one in a straight up size M, which, although i fall into those measurements, was a bit big for my liking. years of standing in front of dance class mirrors will do that to you. on this go, i went with a size S, empire waist version with sleeves, and was pleased as punch. being short waisted, the empire sits lower than intended, which is exactly what i was hopin' for. the only thing i changed was to interface the front yoke, as the fabric i chose is quite soft and drapey (some mystery blend of lightweight cotton from my frenemy janky store). i'm not sure if this suggestion made it into the final pattern, but it's something to consider depending on fabric.
this dress was the knee length version at first, and it gave me a sad face. the face that caused higheroona to say TOLDJASO. but then i added another rectangle of skirt, à la the maxi version (but different proportions-- the skirt is comprised of two gathered rectangles so you can play with that easily) and VOILA HIGHER SELF TAKE THAT!
the neckline (and armsyce, if you go sleeveless) is finished as directed with bias tape-- my favorite method. good lord i hate facings. the sleeves are finished with elastic casing... (edit! the pattern calls for pretty cuffs, i went for elastic on my own)
...and there should be some elastic across the back bodice as well, but if you use up all your elastic on the sleeves and don't feel like going out to buy more, ahem, the ties (enclosed in side seams) give ample cinch.
do i love this pattern? yes. do i recommend it? hells yes. oh hey, lemme climb up on my soapbox for a moment. it's an appropriate sidebar, considering it's indie pattern month, but it's gonna take a minute, that's a lotta skirt.
i test indie patterns because i enjoy it. yes, it is an investment of my time and energy, and because it's a test, there's no guarantee i'll come away with a wearable garment. so i choose the patterns i test carefully. and i give my honest feedback directly to the indies i test for. i have to, because that's what they need, and want, in order to release a worthy product. some think there's monetary gain to be had here: there isn't. some think i'm crazy to do this for free: i am. but it's a crazy i enjoy. i like to sew, and i like to support those who are courageous and talented enough to make their passion their business.
and though i am a critical tester, i'm not paid to be a public critic. in this scenario, i'm not paid at all. moreover, i'm not interested in being a public critic. you see a lot of indie patterns here that i praise, because i love the finished product, and because the product is worthy. if you hear me shouting from the rooftops about my love for something, it's real. i'm not going to prop something up that isn't deserving. there are plenty of indie patterns i've tried (both purchased and tested) that i don't like. plenty of books i've read that never make it to the blog. would it validate my praise if you heard about those as well? maybe. but honestly, i don't feel like it. those same books that don't float my boat are cherished by others, those same un-oonaable patterns exist elsewhere, looking beautiful or not, on many happy ladies. and more power to them.
and more power to you if you enjoy being a critic, for real. but you don't hear about the un-oonaables here because i'd rather spend my time propping up than putting down. there's enough putting down in the world. i'm not interested in having my corner of the interwebs contribute to that.
(unless of course it's an impediment to the already repellent task of sewing for children. naturally.)
well! time for a course correction, mr sulu! in the interest of HAPPY, kati has offered to give a paper copy of the giselle pattern away to one of y'all, no matter where in the world you live, and in the interest of keeping ME happy, she's taking care of the shipping! Y'ALL I'M PRETTY SURE I AM ALLERGIC TO THE POST OFFICE. to enter, just leave a comment on this post. (i imagine, even hope, the few paragraphs above will spark a bit of conversation, so do mention if you're not throwing your hat into the giveaway. winner announced june 1st!)
edit: giveaway now closed! i will indeed announce the winner, heheh, just a day late. blame it on the sunshine, blame it on the moonlight, the good times and the boogie. see you tomorrow!
and furthermore,edit: congratulations juliana! a giselle pattern is winging its way to brazil. comments are back open now, but this giveaway is over n out!