I learned a lot from this project, first and foremost be patient and kind to yourself
I wasn't sure how this would turn out, I certainly did NOT expect it to be as complicated as it was - it was a three piece dress (minus sleeves and neck facing) that I could have made 2-pieces! My choice of fabric definitely contributed to the complexity of this dress as knit drapes and does not really hold shape well. Also, I had not re-sized patterns before and took a lot of time researching this. I probably only needed to worry about the bodice piece and not so much everywhere else due to the nature of the pattern - it said A-line but it was basically a swing dress!
Items that I bought because of this project: better sewing scissors, a french curve, and a replacement seam gauge - mine mysteriously vanished mid-project!
Items that are necessity when working with knits: stabilizer! I used stabilizer on the arm darts, neck facing, and the hem. And while a twin needle is not a necessity it sure made things easier than using a zig-zag stitch for top-stitching and giving the neck, arm bands, and hem just a little something extra. I already own a serger so while not a necessity as you can use zig-zag on a standard machine, again it really made a difference.
While I have a cutting table, for future projects, I need a side table for all the flotsam that accumulates in a project. I found myself putting things on the ironing board or the other part of the table only to be picked up and moved again - probably how I lost my seam gauge!
Grading the pattern was tricky and I purchased a french curve for my next project. Additionally, the 1.5" at each seam was too much - according to instructions I found for grading you would add that to each seam. I should have not counted the back seam as I ended up having to gather fabric there and since it's knit it has some give generally speaking. And because it is an A-line or Swing dress, I really didn't need to add any more material in the waist or hips. When I graded the pattern to move the arm scythe lower, I did a slash method but that also lowered the hem line, therefore the length I added for the waist needed to be removed from the bottom.
The adjustment of the sleeve to 3/4 was a good choice so that when I'm cooking or washing dishes I don't have to worry about them and pushing them up.
If I do this pattern again, I will try in a cotton weave fabric. I am pretty sure it will be easier and will not have the nightgown problem!
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