Metallic Sigma
Pattern: Sigma dress by Papercut Patterns
Fabric: Stretch denim from Stitch Sew Shop
Sewn Up: December 2018
This dress! It’s the fanciest thing I’ve made, and also my favorite.
I saw this wild denim that looked like metallic nail polish was spilled all over it, and had a vision that it could make a festive holiday dress. I was in love with its epic shininess and mix of vibes – Lisa Frank meets motorcycle is how this fabric felt to me. I thought the classy silhouette of the Sigma dress would be a good complement to the flashiness of the fabric.
I took the denim home and, eager to get started immediately, pre-washed on a cold cycle. When I opened up the washer, I was unpleasantly surprised to find that this fabric and water do not mix! All the vibrance had flecked off in the wash, leaving behind a grainy layer of beige with only the slightest shadows of pink and blue left. Gone was all the golden gleam! The contrast between this version and what it once had been was so jarring, I may have cried…
Prewashed on the left, full shininess on the right
The good news was, the shop had just enough of this fabric left on the bolt for another dress. The even better news was that in addition to making one muslin muslin, where I learned I needed to move some darts around, I was also able to make a second muslin out of the ruined fabric. This was my first time sewing a fitted garment, sewing a stretch woven, and sewing anything with a zipper, so having the two practice runs turned out to be a blessing.
Once the pre-washing incident was behind me this became was one of those projects where I could not wait to get home from work every night and sew. I had recently learned about hong kong seam finishes, and was extra excited to make the insides as celebratory as the outside. I used a bright Liberty floral lawn, and though it took three times as long, finishing the seams became my favorite step.
Inside-out shot of my Hong Kong seam finishes!
As seems to be my pattern, I finished this dress up a few minutes before needing to leave for my sister’s holiday party, where I got to say “thanks I made it!!” several times to strangers in between dancing and cake pop sampling. I wore it to two other holiday gatherings in the following weeks, and felt more confident and merry than I think I would have otherwise. It’s one of those garments that makes me happy just to see it hanging in my closet. As long as I never get caught in the rain or fall into a pool while wearing it, I think this dress will have a long and festive life!
~ Photos by Lizzie Epstein - thanks sis! ~
Drawing process reel: Closet floor photo, pencil sketch, digital drawing.
