Ever since I got myself a new sewing machine last Christmas, I was thinking about new sewing projects. And I found one – Next Big Thing dress from Twinkle Sews book by Wenlan Chia. I just fell in love with that scalloped neck.
Twinkle sews - Next Big Thing Dress
To be honest, it has been probably several years since I’ve sewn any garment, but I am hoping that sewing is just like riding a bicycle: once you master it, it stays with you forever.
I spend quite a lot of time browsing through all these amazing fabric shops on Goldhawk Road in London couple of weeks ago (read more about Goldhawk Road shops here) and I bought some rather bright cotton lawn and some white silk/cotton for lining.
Cutting the pattern out was a challenge. For a start, a pattern for each garment comes in 4 different files, one for each size. I had to print out 49 pages for size 4 (UK size 8), just to discover that it was more of a wishful thinking and I actually needed size 6 (UK size 10). As there is no pattern for size 6, only for size 8, in theory I would have to print another 49 pages, scotch tape them together, cut the pattern out, compare it with the smaller one and make the changes. It was too much for me, besides, the pattern itself allows some errors. So I decided to stick with size 4 and make a dress from lining first to make any changes and be sure everything was fine.
So, here I am, with all the lining sewn together and the dress cut out of my main fabric. I made some changes to original pattern. First of all, I made the main bodice 3.5cm (approx. 1.5″) longer, as original bodice for my size was too short even for e line. Then, I made the waistband wider, 6cm instead of 3.5cm. I also decided against the elastic band, as shown by a lovely finished project here. And lastly, my skirt is not as full as it should be, partly because I didn’t buy enough fabric to accommodate the pattern. I simply forgot that one needs more patterned fabric that plain for a project.
My Twinkle Next Big Thing Dress
I really hope to finish it this week, although I am known to be very slow with my projects.
