Sometimes an issue comes up with a project and the fix is not immediately apparent, or, in this case, I just didn't want to deal with it . . . for an entire year.
I had plans for my rick rack cotton. I decided that a simple dirndl skirt paired with a McCalls 7563 peasant style blouse was going to be splendid.
But the curse of the invisible zipper strikes again. Because just as I was about to finish my new outfit, the zipper broke. Aarrrggghhhhhhh!!
I have had issues with invisible zippers in the past, but never like this. The entire pull and the metal pieces attached broke off. Sure, I could have picked the entire zipper out and replaced it, but I had trimmed all my seam allowances down at that point, and the idea did not seem very appealing.
In the end, an eye pin, a pair of wire cutters, and some glue fixed the problem. It's not perfect, but it works. And I didn't have to take the entire skirt apart to make it work. Hooray!
I stitched a pair of oversized pockets on for added interest, and cut both those, and the waistband on the cross grain.
I used my favorite trick to keep the wide waistband from collapsing - a few pieces of plastic boning.
And to spice things up, I added a bit of extra fabric at the neck opening so I could use two channels of elastic.
Alls well that ends well! This was definitely a reminder that sometimes it's a good idea to let things sit for a while before moving forward.
I used my favorite trick to keep the wide waistband from collapsing - a few pieces of plastic boning.
And to spice things up, I added a bit of extra fabric at the neck opening so I could use two channels of elastic.
Alls well that ends well! This was definitely a reminder that sometimes it's a good idea to let things sit for a while before moving forward.
Clever and the dress is adorable!
ReplyDeleteEither NASA is going to hire you, or you'll get the title role in the next reboot of MacGuyver.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant use of the fabric (and those pockets!).
Anyone else get a Claire McCardell vibe from this dress?
Sweet!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute outfit, and I love the fix - picking out invisible zips isn't in my favourites list either. This fabric is amazingly lovely, and those pockets just top off the perfection.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! How do you attach the boning? Do you stitch across it or do you add a channel?
ReplyDeleteThe boning is the plastic kind that comes in it's own channel, so I just stitched that directly to the waistband.
DeleteGlad you could fix it, it is VERY cute!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to use boning for the waistband!
ReplyDeleteI love those pockets! How did you get them to stand out like that? I can't tell if they'd be flat to the skirt if the gathers were removed, and that's what makes them stand proud?
ReplyDeleteThey are sewn in flat - the gathers on the skirt just make them stick out!
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