Monday, January 5, 2009

The Best Christmas Present. EVER.

I love my new coverstitch machine.

I knew I would like it; I knew I would get a lot of use out of it because I've really gotten to like sewing knits in the last year - especially dresses, most of which haven't been hemmed because neither of my machines really like the double-needle thing. At all.

I didn't know that it would basically be love at first stitch. The machine came threaded with white thread, but the first thing I did was un-thread it and sit down with the instructions to thread it from scratch. I'm not the most mechanically-minded sewist out there, and I had visions of everything being hemmed with white thread until those spools ran out if I didn't learn how to do it properly from the start.

Guess what? It was easy. Who knew? I had it re-threaded pretty quick, tried out a test hem on a knit scrap I had on the table, and then re-threaded it with black and did the bottom and sleeve hems on my new BWOF 1/09 #106 dress, which would have languished unhemmed, and with lumpy sleeve hems, if not for the goodness of Santa in listening to me this year.

He was afraid that buying me one big pressent that covered Christmas and at least a good part of my birthday would end up disappointing me. I don't think so. Poor man will be lucky if he sees me again before my birthday, because I'm going to be in the workroom nonstop playing with my new toy.

In addition to finishing the BWOF dress - which, by the way, I absolutely love and am wearing to work tomorrow - I've also hemmed three summer dresses that got worn unhemmed, and I've ordered large cones of thread from Atlanta Thread in black, off-white and brown. I used regular small spools of black for the dress hems, because I had extra on hand, but this thing really blows through the thread, so ordering in bulk is the way to go.

This doesn't count against my fabric / notions / pattern fast because thread is a necessity, and even with shipping, I can't find it that cheap in Philadelphia. (I might be able to find it that cheap in NYC, but I'd "find" so many other things that it would defeat the purpose!)

As for the dress itself, this is one of BWOF's best recent dress patterns. I love the sleeve - it was the whole reason for tracing it off to begin with - and that's a feature that will definitely get transported onto other garments, like that gathered collar from the BWOF 3/08 blouse. I haven't decided yet if it's a little narrower than their usual cut, or if it's the fabric I used - it's not the stretchiest stretch fabric ever, if you know what I mean.

I changed the neckline from their modified V with a facing to a rounder shape with a band. I'm not big on facing on knits, and the V neck was an accident waiting to happen at work. I hate having to remember not to lean over near my boss when most of BWOF's dresses are intended for just that effect.

This was a really quick project, especially with the extra help on the hems. I think there's a top version of this in the not-too-distant future.

17 comments:

snow said...

You did a great job on your dress. You will LOVE your serger and wonder how you ever lived without it. I still love the skirt you made for the PR NYC weekend. I don't think I'll do a fringed skirt for a long time to come but I love the one I have now. :O)

Gretchen the Household Deity said...

That dress is great! Congratulations on your lovely gift. It was smart on his part--you'll think of him every time you use it (even if you are ignoring him in order to use it).

Meg said...

Glad you like your coverstitch machine…maybe there's one in the future for me. I like this dress and plan on making it as a top one of these days. Kashi tried to get me to buy that same fabric, BTW, but I wasn't in a knit-buying mood that day.

Nancy K said...

Congrats on the coverstitch machine. I love mine too. I have to trace that pattern, top for me, but it is the cutest. I am going to make your changes on the neckline.

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited. Santa brought me a CoverStitch too. Mine will be broken out of the box this week. I didn't think I could get any more excited about it until I read your post. Just goes to show!

BTW the dress is fab. I got my Jan BWOF this week and have been thinking that dress needs to go on the list. It's now a definite.

luckylibbet said...

Definitely the best Christmas present! Totally gorgeous dress too - love the sleeve detail!

Maryissewfast said...

Love the dress and the modification you made to the neckline! I am not allowed to wear my BWOF garments to work unless I a.) wear something under it or b.) raise that neckline. Isn't the coverstitch great? I love mine too!!! Mary

2BSewing: said...

I have the knit top version of that pattern on my list/plan. I love the sleeve treatment. Your dress is beautiful. Congrats on your coverstitch machine. Sigh! Maybe mine will come later this year.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

The dress is sooo cute and I'm glad you're enjoying your coverstitch machine! However, you DO sound like that Lexus commercial! *LOL*

Little Hunting Creek said...

That is a beautiful dress! A new machine is so much fun. Congrats to Santa for his good work.

Lori said...

Wonderful job on the dress. You will so enjoy your coverstitch machine, they are the best.

Leslie in Austin said...

Great dress, Karen!

I've traced off this pattern, and flat on paper, the back waist length seems really long.

Is there something I'm missing about the styling of the back?

Does the back length seem right to you now that you're wearing your lovely version?

-Leslie

Diana said...

What a great dress!! I love it! I'm jealous of your cover stitch machine!

Vicki said...

Great dress and pretty professional looking coverstitching too :)

Tany said...

The dress looks fabulous!

Kitty Couture said...

Ha! I got a coverstitch for Christmas as well. (yeah, another box to move...) Thing is, it is still in its box. No sewing room quite yet, alas.
Your dress looks great. But this is tempting me sorely! Hopefully, my room will be ready soon and I can be your coverstitch pal.

Happy New Year, Karen! I'm looking forward to reading your blog in 2009 - admiring your project and your creativity, marveling at your cats, and simply, getting to chat, laugh and share with you!

Kat said...

What a lovely dress, Karen! It's so exciting that you are using your Coverstitch too. Only $150 away from taking mine home!