The title says it all. I decided to try and make something out of polyester. Not just any old polyester. The ickiest, most slippery, hottest polyester known to man.
Ok, I'm exaggerating a little. But you won't see me sewing with polyester (by choice) anytime again soon. I bought Vogue 1247 the other day during a sale at Hancock. And then I decided to check out the bargain table for some sort of fabric to make it up with. The print on this particular fabric clouded my judgement. I figured I'd never actually made something out of polyester before, so why not try it out.
It feels pretty icky on. And it's hot. And it makes a funky swish-y sound when I move. But I really like the style of this Vogue pattern. I've seen many awesome versions out there, but Carolyn's version made me want to buy the pattern. I made a size 12 straight up. I love the pleats at the neckline and the horizontal dart. The neckline was pretty deep, so I closed the bottom of the vee about an inch higher. One thing I really love about Vogue patterns is that they always seem to teach me a different way of doing something. I like the way the neckline is bound (or is it faced?).
Can you see how well all my seams meet up there on the center front?
Good. I'm glad you can't tell. The print masks the horrific sewing job. The hem is unbelievable. This fabric is definitely suited more for a lining rather than a top. It was slippery enough to merit some sort of stabilizer, but I just forged on. I was determined to finish something. The print placement is all willy nilly because that's how I cut it out. It slipped and slid all over the place. Like I said, I should have stabilized the fabric somehow.
I'm decently pleased with the finished the product, though I wouldn't let a fellow sewist inspect it too closely. I think I'd like to make a high-waist yellow skirt to tuck it in to. That would hide the wonky hem. All in all, I recommend the pattern. I'd like to try this again in a lightweight linen or lawn. But for now, I'll wear my poly folly--- as long as I can stand the heat.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend.
It looks lovely. I am thinking about making this pattern up so it is good to see others having success with it...even in polyester!
ReplyDeleteIt looks nice in the photos but I can appreciate how icky it feels in real life. I've never made up anything in poly. Just the thought of it makes me break out into a sweat. It's just not an option in the tropics. The silhouette looks nice on you so you'll just have to make it up again!
ReplyDeleteI totally hear you. whenever I look for fabric for a project, I have to talk myself out of buying some beautiful prints, simply because they are polyester. I still wear them from time to time because poly chiffon is a decent material to work with imo and I own a few (vintage?) polyester dresses from the 80s that I still like.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, the pattern looks really cute and I'd love to see another version of it in a solid color, so one can see the seaming better. stripes going in different directions would be fun, wouldn't they?!
I did the same thing as you, made mine in polyester print, only I did a print to hide the seaming. Good thing cause there was a little discrepancy in the seams meeting. Next time I will make it in cotton, so much easier to sew (and wear), and match the seams. Love this pattern.
ReplyDeleteOh, i know your pain! I did it in a pink material slimey material that totally masks all the cool details. I do love the pattern tho- if I wasn't so allergic to solid color fabrics I'd make it again and love it more!
ReplyDeleteI love that pattern - and yours looks gorgeous! I'd love to see your solid colour version. And I tried once to sew with that sort of poly... it went straight into the wadder pile.
ReplyDeleteIt looks good! You don't notice any mismatched seams or the wonky hem. Polyester is a tricky fabric. Some polyesters aren't so bad - others are like the devil incarnate! Hard to tell which is which on the bolt...
ReplyDeleteIt looks good even if it wasn't the best sewing experience. The part that gets me about poly is the smell when ironing.
ReplyDeleteBut very cool pattern, and I like the way it looks on you...
We all get seduced by poly occasionally. Why do they make it in such great prints??? It's too tempting. Love the style of this one, it looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I did not notice the seam in the front or back. I haven't worked with poly yet . . .
ReplyDeleteHow do you learn unless you try it, right? The print is really nice, though, and the style is cute, especially the cuffs.
ReplyDeleteI am just waiting for a Vogue sale so that I can justify buying this pattern. I love your version, it looks terrific, but I can absolutely relate to your polyester discomfort, as I never, ever will buy poly- fabric. It´s just too...non-organic. Or something. I just like my fabric to breathe. That´s all! :-) Hope to see your new version of this soon! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love your sewing stories! I sewed for 6 hours last Monday on a blouse and when I almost had it finished realized it was too small and wouldn't go around my gut! All that wasted time and $ (although I got the fabric cheap from Fabric.com) but why didn't I make a muslin the first time around???? I'm sewing for my grandkids at this point. MUCH easier to fit!!!!
ReplyDeleteI like it! I really like that pattern in general, too. But I'm sorry you had a disappointing fabric. It's good practice, though. Next time you'll use a natural fiber and all your seams will line up perfectly. ;)
ReplyDeleteyour top is really beautiful. And I empathize with the discomfort. I had the same thing happen to me - same pattern, same poly issues. hard to work with; sweaty as f*#k. I remade in a rayon and love it, and have since trained myself to just step away from the polyester. Telling myself 'it's satan's own fabric!' when I get tempted helps.
ReplyDeleteI bought this pattern and have yet to sew it. I'm worried that it's going to be boxy (I don't have much in the way of curves to fill it out), but every time I see someone else's version I like it, and your's is no exception. You need to sew it again in a fabric you love—it looks so good on you.
ReplyDelete