Button-Down Cambie

I DID IT!! After 5 muslins and 1 other finished version of this dress, I have finally completed the button-down Sewaholic Cambie. I'm pleased as punch with it, and the fit is pretty darn good. Since it took me so long to sort the fit out, we all get to pretend that it's summer again with this one.

Let's talk fit for a moment. The fit at the back is just delightful to me, considering what a wobbly mess it was in so many previous versions. I had to put in a seam in there, rather than cut on the fold, because I had a bit of gaping up at the top. Removing that excess fabric put the fabric off grain by the neckline. A small concession for a necessary good fit.

I also split the darts and introduced one at the side, an excellent suggestion from y'all in the comments after you saw my torpedo darts. They are greatly improved, but is it just me, or are the still a little high and a smidge pointy?! A minor quibble, but I worked so hard to improve them that I was hoping it would disappear entirely! Maybe it's just a bit of wrinkliness. We did snap these photos after a very long and enjoyable pizza lunch.

My only other problem spot was the sleeve lining. I made so many changes, I had to draft a new one, and I still don't understand the ratio of sleeve to lining on this pattern. My lining ended up being a touch too big, so I've got a few pleats on the inside. An even smaller quibble! But, let's all pause for a moment to admire the fact that I got rid of that excess fabric at the arm, which is what sent me off on this fitting tangent in the first place. The pig guarding the yogurt raisins told me he was very proud of my efforts. Thank you, pig.

Now, the buttons! This dress has such a distinct shape to it that I wanted to mix it up a bit for my second completed version. The button-down front did the trick splendidly. I followed Tasia's tutorial, and I really liked the extra inside finishing detail of adding a facing that she suggested. It added a bit of extra bulk, but I didn't have to worry about any red lining peeping out and it's nice and sturdy for all those buttons. As before, I think the inside of this dress is one of the best things about it. It's just so lovely.

The fabric I got it in the Garment District when I went for Gertie's Sewing Retreat back in April. I really like the way the horizontal stripe accentuates my waist on the waistband. I might have to try that again! It was also perfectly suited for pictures at Big Top candy shop!