Ah, me. I’m over summer. I’m having visions of capelets dance in my head. But baby, it’s the south. It’s hot! So hot! Right Maggie? 
Yup, it sure is. So more summer dresses, tho my heart just is no longer in it. Does anybody else feel like summer dresses lack texture after a few months? I want to touch tweed and pinwale. Maybe it’s just that it feels so wilted- like wearable dead foliage. 
Phew- thank Goodness for support hose, can I get an amen?
I’ve been really admiring coveting all these sleek bodices with dart interest and fun details. Well, denial is a river that I cannot paddle, so to the Lisette I went. I love Lisette, you know that, right? I would stand under its window and play my boombox on 11 to get its attention.
The bodice of this one doesn’t really shake the earth when you look at the pattern cover, but it has a nifty ‘dart 1 side, fold burrito-like over do dart 2 …admire your origami abdominal’ bodice and I’ve been seeing so many similar styles that I just wanted to play too. This had some fit issues for me. Ok, it’s more fitted than I had hoped for. I’d like more air between me and my synthetic fiber choice. I need to get better at FBAs- it’s a work in progress for me- I end up having to add little darts to my armscyes on things like this to keep them from looking wonky. I think a better FBA would cure this. So I’m not very comfortable in this dress, it might not see much wear. Do you hear that? A slightly uncomfortable Lisette? What on earth is that about?? I want to love you, but I’m not sure I can- I feel restrained in it. Thats not cool. Especially because the first wearing was at the Greenville Literacy Associations annual ‘Really big book sale’. My faithful husband came along, last year he noticed that some of those geriatric mystery fans could get really elbowy if they thought you were hovering in the Poirot longer than was decent. So he was running interference for me, edging in next to me so I could get more time at the tables while I scanned my list and checked my goodreads ap. This year he borrowed a wheelie grocery cart from his mother- claiming that the tote bags were unwieldy. Yes, right- he used that puppy like a cow catcher! ‘Hey, lady- drop that Raymond Chandler and my husband will stop crackin’ your ankles with this buggy!’
So, I’m sure that you understand that Mr B was too busy assaulting the Dorothy L Sayers fans to take pics of little me in my new dress. He was a trooper- several people commented (not so politely, imagine!) on how spoiled I was- I’d find a book and just blindly hold it up and he would cart it. Can I help it if he just really likes the cart organized? Of course not.
So here I am in downtown Greenville for lunch following. Um, well, I don’t know why there is a bronze wart hog/pig statue with a drool issue. But, hey- that’s where I’m posin’! This dress is perhaps not a keeper- it kept riding up suspiciously all day- I don’t know what that means…..I think it will go to the closet of shame for a bit until I can love it again. I’m not sure that me and sleeveless should join together. For some reason, cleavage is ok, but sleeveless feels NAKED! I know these pictures are not the best views of the dress and I guess that’s pretty telling- a new make that feels like it needs this much camouflage is probably a fail. I mean really, I have an anatomically correct wart hog in the pics to distract you from my lame dress. Tsk,tsk. 
Oh, and if you’re wondering about a book talley………..53….but it’s for charity!
photo credits: pattern review, meadhawg
Whether the dress worked out or not, your post is still funny!
LikeLike
Thank you, I may not be the best, but I keep myself entertained!
LikeLike
Have you been watching Project Runway? Last week someone made a white top that had those weird burrito darts…it got a thumbs down…of course those models never wear bras but it was not nice…according to Heidi Klum it looked like tennis balls rolling around in a sack.Unless you deal with the armhole gaps first by shortening the length in the front you cannot really manage having all the bust ease concentrated into front center darts…unless you are flat chested and didn’t need them in the first place.
If you ever get to Florence you will see the copy of your boar. Money that falls into grates is supposed to be for charity…aka …the poor, just like what is cleared from all those fountains. Pigs are revered in Italy and Spain and lovingly cured and hung for months/years to make the best Parma ham and prosciutto…so keep rubbing that porker’s nose!
LikeLike
Yay! I knew someone who explan my gaps for me-you are so knowing! I’ll be thinking about my length before i cut my next bodice.I think Heidi was protesting Souffle boob this week- that accent can make anything sound nice!
LikeLike
I’m over winter so let’s swop!
If I were you I would be celebrating the need to do a FBA. That’s not a technique I’ll be learning anything soon. Boo. So I shall resort to bearing my forearms instead…
I love how a book sale can be turned into a series of military manovoures. V.funny 😄
LikeLike
It was ugly up in that sale! People were not going alphabetically and the husbands nerves were shreading!
LikeLike
I must admit to having some trouble with the ol’ burrito darts when I made this frock. I cheated with the FBA and just shortened the darts somewhat. They worked okay but there was some finer tweaking needed. Side note: totes in love with that fabric. It says sassy summer in the south, y’all!
LikeLike
I may try to save this one with that idea. Thanks!
LikeLike
Oh, dear! I feel your disappointment with a relationship gone all wrong. But cannibalize the fabric for something – it’s so pretty! lmao about your DH’s manoeuvres!
LikeLike
Ive got a Cynthia Crowley top going for the rest of this fabrics, I really like its sixties vibe.
LikeLike
You are some kind of crazy girl!! And I miss you & your funny repartee (i think thats how ya spell it) but you get it anyhow! Oh yea love the dress!
LikeLike
Oh Sandra thank you! Please drop in more often!
LikeLike
Love the dress. You can have our winter if you like?
LikeLike
I really do love layering…..
LikeLike
I think you should photograph all your new projects in front of the warthog. It could be your signature!
The dress itself is a bit skimpy for my taste, but the shrug and leggings help balance it.
LikeLike
See! I felt like it just wasn’t making me happy if I needed all these pieces with it.
LikeLike
South Carolina seems pretty interesting! Boar statues and all.
Come to San Francisco. It’s in the 50s and 60s and quite chilly. I’m feeling fall, let me tell you. 🙂
LikeLike
I just want light jacket weather all the time, is that so wrong?
LikeLike
I know exactly how you feel about not feelin the love on some garments and that armhole thing too! That’s quite the haul of books. I’m terribly impressed but man, I am so grateful for the kindle. I don’t have to store any books and that frees up tons more room for other things. DH and I would each make little name signs to hang on that boar to taunt the other. Can you sneak him out and I’ll meet you at the border (pick one) with the empty horse trailer?
LikeLike
The boar is quite special! I’m slowly getting to the place where I think that books should be shared,so I’ll read these and farm them out and maybe they will all end up back at the same charity- I swear I won’t get a feature on Hoarders- they won’t find me under a stack of fallen paperbacks!
LikeLike
Oh, how I’m ready for fall. But it will be sticky for at least two more months…
I made that dress and was pleased with it when I finished. But I am almost completely flat chested, so that could have something to do with it. I did feel like it was more fitted than I imagined it would be. I really like the fabric you chose. It’s a shame you’re not happy with it. I didn’t go this year, but last year I went to the really big book sale and brought a suitcase.
LikeLike
That sale totally makes up for the Jockey Lot!
LikeLike
I was JUST thinkin’ I needed to see a picture of Richard Simmons in hose wearing leaves and wannabe-Elton-John sunglasses. Thank God you’re here!! As for the dress, looks cute as heck from here.
LikeLike
Richard likes a smooth leg line, is that so wrong?
LikeLike
Hmmm, your trouble with this dress bodes well for me making it, since I have the pretty much the opposite of a full bust… I love the fabric, though! You may find room in your heart to love it someday.
Did you wish on the boar for more comfy Lisettes?
LikeLike
I did! He drooled a blessing for me, I’m sure!
LikeLike
I’m sorry the dress didn’t work out, but your tale of the book sale was hilarious! I’m beginning to be over summer too; we’ve barely had one but now that it’s here, it’s too, too hot!! Sometimes I don’t know how I survived growing up in Phoenix, but then I remember, we had air conditioning! And now I don’t even have a fan! I should probably remedy that…
LikeLike
My husband must have coolness on him- thats why we Disney in October- if it’s too hot we recreate scenes from Beauty and the Beast in the park- lots of growling.
LikeLike
I like this dress, it’s a shame you aren’t comfortable in it! How do you find simplicity sizing? I’ve found they have far too much ease so don’t choose to make many of their patterns.
LikeLike
I think i’ve gotten so used to Simplicity and what I need to take in and out that I use it as my default pattern- but I don’t make alot of fitted items, style-wise.
LikeLike
I don’t love the dress, but I think it is because your discomfort in it shows in your photographs. Don’t blame the photographer. Also, I think a shrug in a colour that picks up one of the colours in the dress might be better.
Now I feel terrible for critiquing your look. I have no right, I usually look like the wrath of god/dog struck me after I got ready.
Only 53 books? At my local “Friends of the Library” annual book sale, we usually average 100, one year 180. Most of the books at my sale are only $1. We don’t read them, we just make forts in the living room. Shopping cart thingys are a necessity at these things, even after working out I couldn’t possibly carry 100 books.
LikeLike
What, what, what? I am by no means offended by a person who cares enough to give a helpful opinion! Don’t you dare censor yourself! I think a turquise or goldish somethign would have been much cuter. Also more in my color palette.
The husband made 2 trips to the car!
LikeLike
Oh what a shame that it’s a no-goer. I love this colour and print on you. Love how you’ve styled it with leggings and cardi too.
LikeLike
My comfort zone involves much coverage!
LikeLike
I hope you tackle your FBA fitting. It’s a shame when a garment is so close to being wearable but in the end isn’t so much. It’s such a pretty print. I hope you can recycle it for another project.
LikeLike
I’m playing with the newest Cynthia Rowley blouse- the cover pic is most deceiving, pleatwise!
LikeLike
I’ve made this pattern up twice and I spent a LOT of time adjusting the bodice. I had to add the armscye darts, lower the other darts (I mean seriously–what was up with those?? Most awkward placement ever!), bring the waistline up about an inch, and basically re-draft the entire back. I don’t know why I felt the need to spend so much time on a pattern that really isn’t all that spectacular, but in the end, I really love both of those dresses. So maybe it’s worth another shot before you write the pattern off completely? Those colors look pretty great on you, so I’m hoping you can find a way to make this one work!
LikeLike
I read your alterations list thinking, ‘yup, need that, need that, try that’….thanks!!
LikeLike
I gues we all make things some times that we want to love, but somehow cant. For me looking in at you you look great though. Love the fabric choice. Great floral!!!! But then again, I do not have to wear it. I can just adore 🙂
LikeLike
It’s the warthog, isn’t it?
LikeLike
I was done with summer, too, until this weekend. Saturday was not humid. It was nice. Finally…in August.
LikeLike
It rained all day here sunday- I was surrounded by wet hounds and heat…blech.
LikeLike
Hey, if you’re gonna camouflage a dress, there’s no better way than with an anatomically correct warthog! LMAO!!! That totally cracked me up… do you ever wonder why such statues exist in the first place? I mean whose idea was that? LOL Nevertheless, I think you look cute, so either the camouflage is working or your discomfort is weather related, not dress induced ^__^
LikeLike
Seriously- I think from now on, I shal declare wadders to be ‘warthog worthy’!
LikeLike
I am totally with you on the sleeveless=naked feeling. But I think this dress is cute! I am right down the road from you in Sparkle City, where it’s so humid that there is still dew on the grass at 3pm. Please, make it stop, I don’t want anymore summer….
LikeLike
Maybe Richard Simmons can perform an upstate excorsism!
LikeLike
I haven’t encountered the burrito dart yet, but I’m hungry just contemplating it! LOL I like the fabric you used–the pretty colors distract from any fit issues cause I’m not noticing them 😉 I’m wearing a dress to work today that has it’s own fit issues, but a cardigan covers them nicely, so I feel pretty sneaky right about now!
LikeLike
God bless a cardigan, Corgi or otherwise!
LikeLike
The dress is so cute! I admire your burrito/origami skills. : )
LikeLike
Great dress! It’s probably riding up because it has no lining, so the dress is sticking to your leggings. I know what you mean about late season sewing; I’m dreaming of my spring wardrobe now 🙂
LikeLike
it’s like the bodice is riding up and to the left- trying to unburrito in protest, perhaps?
LikeLike
Yes, I was just about to say this! That dress is totally gettin’ up on your leggings…creeeeeepin’ up ’em.
LikeLike
it sounds much more exciting than it felt!
LikeLike
Love the dress, très cute. Thanks for featuring the pattern: I’m a sucker for the ruffled neckline on the jacket. I don’t do sleeveless any more either, but I’m loving the capri length tights. I adore cardigans, especially if they’re cashmere 😉
53 books (especially for charity) is quite modest IMHO. I do adore Dorothy L., so I’d have been right in there, lol, although sadly, there’s nothing of hers I haven’t already read (except the Dante). Harriet Vane is my all-time favourite heroine and the four Vane mysteries my default “feel good” books. I think I’ve memorized “Gaudy Night.” Am really enjoying your blog.
LikeLike
Book talk, yay! I’m glad you know the Sayer- I’ll start with the Vane series instead of hopping around.
LikeLike
CUTE dress…and I love that fabric, too!
LikeLike
Super weird – my son’s school (which is a wee bit posh) has stone versions of these hogs at the top of the long tree lined drive – it’s their school emblem! As for your dress – gorgeous – wear a slip to stop it clinging. Ohh and cool shades!
LikeLike
My mother used to make me wear a slip every day- even with lined skirts. By the time I’d walked from the busstop it would ahev ridden up to forma nylon tutu around my waist. Ah, memories.
LikeLike
I love the fabric! It is a little tough when the sewing doesn’t turn out the way you want! I love reading your writing!
LikeLike
I have this pattern too. It is waiting patiently to be worked on. I really like your fabric choice again! Suits you very well! I am so glad I will never have to do a FBA. They look scary but I think you did a great job! And you can so pull off more fitted dresses too! 😀
LikeLike
You look great in this – if it didn’t work out, you have got to try again!
LikeLike
53 books??!! How do you find time to read them all? I started one a month ago and I think I’m still in Chapter 1. Sad really. I do like the anatomically correct warthog though… excellent choice for a photo op! =D
LikeLike
Well, it was for charity! I’ll have to read them all or feel guilty!
LikeLike
The layering works. Cute dress.
LikeLike
Thank you, thank you
LikeLike
ahh, fails has the most lessons… this post was really funny and i though you rescued well with the layering.
LikeLike