The black Ponte dress – there’s a story

 

Fundamentally I’m pleased with this dress…sort of. But I have a few gripes-  mainly with the fabric. But there’s a story…….  starting with the pattern.

You see, this pattern promises the world but doesn’t really deliver. It did eventually but by a very backdoor route.  I’ve  made this dress before (long sleeved version) in a very light rayon and although it looked good, I was never really happy with the fit…..around the shoulder/sleeve region. There was something not right about it but I couldn’t work out what (that always happens to me). But because the pattern on the fabric was so bold, it looked ok and the sleeve/shoulder region wasn’t a focus.

Anyway, I wanted a little black dress (LBD). I’ve always wanted one. So this time, I made the long sleeved version in a black Ponte and was unrelenting in my efforts to get the fit right so I’d look like the model in the picture. I  unpicked and re did and unpicked again and was eventually pretty happy with the look.

Well, except for the sleeves. But overall, if I squinted, I could kid myself this was the quintessential  LBD Id been pining for……..until I caught a glimpse of  myself  in a bus window.  I reminded myself of someone from my past. Reality hit hard. This was no LBD

 

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But I didn’t give up. I wore it 3 more times with different accessories each time. Still no go. Time to bin…..not a feel good dress.

But before I threw it out, I cut the sleeves off. And miraculously, the dress was transformed! A whole different ball game.

I loved it because it’s comfortable, easy wear and perfect  for work. I could grab it from the wardrobe in the morning when its still dark and make it work. But here’s the rub (no pun intended). The Ponte has rubbed and pilled  badly. I am furious ….mostly with myself for not buying better quality fabric. I bought this fabric from Spotlight and I really thought it would be ok. But its not. After all that work, the dress just looks shabby.

At least I have a template. That’s some consolation because the dress is nigh unwearable. Now I’ll go and buy some decent Ponte. Interestingly, I buy a lot of linen from Spotlight and I have nothing but praise for it. But this Ponte is very poor quality.

Onwards and upwards…….another lesson learned in my ‘sewing’ life. Have  a good weekend.

StyleArc Hedy dress and Estelle Ponte jacket

I love Ponte. But I have to say my hands felt a little worse for wear after making the Estelle jacket and then a black ponte dress (not here…to follow). So I’ve come to the conclusion that it makes up beautifully, sews beautifully and  presses well because it has so much body …..which also makes it quite heavy …which is tricky for someone who is prone to aching hands.

But I am absolutely thrilled with my Ponte jacket. I really wanted a cream waterfall jacket….even though I thought it was probably a ridiculous colour for a jacket….very impractical……and it is. But I love it! It is a Winter White Ponte that I purchased from the Remnant Warehouse. Mind you, there’s not a whole lot of ‘winter’ left in the white because before I’d finished making the jacket I smudged a bit of lipstick on the front. Stupidly (I can’t believe I actually did this) I Napisan- ed the front pieces and low and behold, when the jacket was completed I had a radiant white front and Winter white (cream) back and sleeves!!!!! So I had to Napisan the whole thing……now its all a bit too radiant.

But I still love it. It’s warm and comfortable and was so quick and easy to make. And it gives me a lift….and I wash it in the machine and put it in the dryer if I have to ……and it’s my rule breaker…….my mother would never have agreed to a white jacket for winter!

This is my cream StyleArcHedy dress that I wear under the Estelle Ponte jacket. This is made from  an interlock that I bought from Remnant Warehouse. This dress was super easy to make and is very easy to wear.

I love that it has pockets.

This dress is full of possibilities for a ton of different fabrics. I suspect this pattern will become a favourite.