at least not the sort that involves posting photos of me wearing muslins on the web! I completed the muslin of the 70s sundress, and I’m very pleased with the fit, even if the photos make it look like I live in a tomb (somehow my self-taken mirror shots usually turn out better!)
I may give just a tad more room in the waist. I think, though, that most of those wrinkles are caused by it being pinned in the back (my husband did his best, but it’s definitely not exactly matched at the buttonhole lines, thus the wrinkles.) The waist on this is quite high, which I like. Note the 70s-ish platform sandals, which I want to wear with the dress to match the pattern envelope. They’re actual modern Danskos, which I found brand new this summer at a thrift store for 5 dollars (I had almost bought the same pair the week before for over $100!) They’re great walking sandals.
It is pinned to meet at the center back line – this will be entirely buttons on the actual dress. The straps will need to be shortened, because I had to pin them pretty far down, but I love the crossed back! I have decided that I’m pro-ruffle – I am a ruffle person, and it is a wee bit plain. Besides, I have made a last minute fabric substitution, which cries for ruffles.
There wasn’t anything wrong with the polka dot – I just decided that I really wanted to use that fabric to make a second Rooibos dress – I love the idea of it in polka dots! This fabric is a cotton/linen blend in a floral ikat style print. I really love the colors. I got this at Joann tonight, when I ventured there for the 4th of July sale. Right now I’m trying to decide how I should best match the print. I think center front of the skirt and part of the princess seams should be enough – I just don’t have enough fabric to do more and still have room for the ruffle.
Now I’m off to do some creative cutting – it will be hard to match the print and still get the ruffle in!
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
I’ve been reading your blog for about two months now, and I have to say that I love it because we have such similar tastes in clothes! I’ve been sewing for a long time, but never got very good at it – you’ve inspired me to really work on and hone my skills!
That said, I think I’d be a bit more productive and do more products if I didn’t hate cutting out patterns so much. You make so many dresses, and often twice with the muslin! I’d like to know what you prefer when you cut out your pieces. Pinking shears? A rotary cutter and a self healing mat? Do you drink a glass of wine to make the cutting experience more pleasurable?
Thanks for any tips!
Ha! No, the wine comes after cutting, it’s better that way (trust me!) Cutting is my least favorite part too. I use a rotary cutter, because I absolutely hate cutting with scissors. If you combine that with pattern weights (thus no pins!) then it goes pretty fast. I bought the big cutting table that Joann’s sells, which makes cutting more pleasurable too. And if I’ve just made a successful muslin, I’m usually pretty excited to cut the dress – it’s getting the muslin cut that can take me forever!
I love the crossed back. Can’t wait to see it in the actual fabric.
Plus I second everything that Cassie has commented above – I love the mental picture of wine in one hand scissors in the other 🙂
I agree with the above comments and I want to add that I’ve started making clothing for myself entirely thanks to you!
ps have you looked at the Riviera, Bayou and Martinique collections at JoAnn’s? They’re 70% off right now… The JoAnn’s I work at has some that are really pretty, and there are some pretty full bolts too!
Love the muslin version. I agree with other comments on the crossed back looking nice. Can’t wait to see the dress!
I love the dresses you’ve been sewing and this pattern in particular. It’s the exact type of dress I’ve been imagining myself looking suave in this summer. I envy your sewing skills!
Oh this looks very promising. I love this shape on you, lovely!
This looks fabulous! I can’t wait to see the final version 🙂
Great fabric choice. I was going to comment on the sandals, too! Very apropos! 🙂
I swear, I go into Joann’s and turn my nose up at the fabric, while you seem to find the best gems there! Either my Joann’s sucks or you are way better at finding the good stuff. That is my long way of saying I love the new print. 😉