Hello, friends!
Yep, I’m sharing a wee bit of my geek love today! 🙂
I’ve had this fabric lingering in my stash for a few months now and the unseasonable warm temps here in CA lately have inspired me to cut into it. That and my need to sew the ESP pattern up ASAP!
[source: Decades of Style Patterns]
When I saw the Decades Everyday ESP pattern, I knew it would be a perfect candidate for prints. I already have a great TNT patterns for prints (Butterick 5982), but I do like dresses with sleeves and the sleeved version of B5982 is not my favorite…. So in walked this lovely pattern reminiscent of the early 1960’s. I was instantly smitten. At first, I was a bit unsure of the raglan sleeves as the only other time I’ve worked with them in a woven fabric [other than the Dorothy Lara pattern] was with the Colette Dahlia and that’s not my fave pattern either…. This pattern, however, does not have unfortunate bust pleating nor a waistband and is shaped by bodice darts which are more friendly to my figure.
I graded this pattern up to a 48″ bust size which was easy to do. The skirt has a little less fabric than is suggested which is due to the limited yardage I had on hand paired with the 45″ width of this fabric. My skirt is also about an inch longer with a narrow hem as I prefer my skirts at knee length. I also wasn’t certain how the sleeves were going to fit as I usually have to make a full bicep adjustment and I wasn’t certain how to do this on a raglan sleeve. I sewed a narrow seam instead, which was something that I didn’t need to do, so I may go back and adjust the seam allowance to the suggested 5/8″. The only other alteration to this pattern was a small tapered wedge that I cut out of the lower back of the bodice (a swayback adjustment? I’m never sure what it’s called, but thanks to Mrs. Mole for sharing with me how to do it).
Yeah, I know this back view looks a bit strange…. my husband took these photos and he doesn’t have much patience for these photography shoots.
This dress went from cutting to nearly finished in an afternoon. I was doing a little hand sewing in the evening, but it was completed rather quickly, which is always a good thing — especially when you want a new frock to wear the next day! This dress is unlined with a neck facing and the seams are finished on my serger. I’m not a fan of facings, but in this case it works and it stays where it is and is not bothersome to wear. (Sorry no “inside” shots…. I made this quickly and didn’t take the time to snap a photo of the guts.)
But of course the fabric is the star of this show! This is a quilting cotton print with classic Star Trek comic book covers. My parents are Trekkies and I’ve been exposed to every iteration of the show. Besides watching Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, etc. while they aired, my folks also have all of the episodes on DVD…. I, however, am a classic Star Trek fan and I love watching it on Netflix. I don’t know how someone (my dad…) could think that Next Generation is better? No way folks. The original the best.
I spotted this fabric whilst shopping at Joann’s and after the success of my Dracula Dress, I was ready to make another fangirl frock. Especially one that has my favorite character of all time — Spock — on it. I haven’t seen this fabric since at my local Joann’s stores (there are three in my vicinity that I shop at regularly), so it must have sold out. I also don’t see it on the Joann’s website. But there are many other cool Star Trek fabrics that I’ve seen on fabric.com and at Hart’s and Beverly’s Fabrics to satiate you if you’d like to show your fangirl love. Just be prepared for many comments! I received quite a few whilst sporting this dress and from some unlikely sources!
Yeah… I know this fabric is a bit wrinkled… I ironed this well during and after I made it with my beloved Rowenta, but after being stuffed in a suitcase and having to use a poor excuse for an iron in our hotel room, it didn’t fare so well. I also think that I failed to press the bodice… plus, we ate breakfast prior to these photos and so goes my pressing story.
These photos were taken during a mini-break with my husband this past weekend. He had a five-day break from school (he’s a middle school teacher) so we headed over to Santa Cruz to enjoy a pre-Valentine’s Day retreat. When we made our hotel reservations last month we didn’t expect such warm weather neither here in the Sierra foothills nor on the coast. The temperatures soared to the upper 70’s and it was sunny and warm. If I had brought my swimsuit it would have been a fabulous time to lounge at our hotel’s retro pool that was right along the beach. The warm weather set records which really isn’t a good thing for our drought stricken California soils, but it was nice for our little vacay. 🙂
I can’t say enough good things about this pattern! It’s a quick sew that can be made in a variety of fabrics. I’ve actually already made another! This is now a TNT pattern for me and there will be more in the future — including my dress for our Crazy Dog Lady Sewing Challenge!
Are you joining us? We have lot’s of prizes!
Happy Sewing!
- Dress: Decades Everyday #101 E.S.P. Dress in classic Star Trek print quilting cotton, made by me
- Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens Peep Toe Super High
- Belt: Macy’s
- Earrings: Bauble Bar
- Sunglasses: Tory Burch
1) I grew up with Trekkies too! 2) How does the quilting cotton feel in a dress?
🙂 This particular quilting cotton feels great in this dress. I’ve had others that are way too stiff and some that are a little bit lighter weight. As long as you choose a pattern that doesn’t require drape and is more structured, it works well. It’s also so very easy to sew with, which is a plus.
While i was fondling all my fabric i was wishing for just this sort of pattern for some fabulous prints i have. I’m not a fan of Emory but i think this would do nicely. You look fantastic. And husbands with low patience for photos seem to be the rule rather than the exception. Great job. g
This would look perfect on you!! 🙂 Decades of Style are also going to be in Puyallup (saw on IG), so maybe you can pick one up there and not have to pay for shipping! I’d love to see you in an ESP dress. I’ve already made two and another is in the works.
I just love this dress! I’ve just recently realized that I too need to make a swayback adjustment. Hopefully it will help out tremendously. I’m happy to hear you say it’s not difficult to do!
Thank you!! Yes, it’s very easy to do, although I’ve only done it on bodices, and not on something like a sheath dress.
I saw this pattern fairly recently (I think when it was released) but then kind of forgot about it. It looks like a great basic pattern to show off a fun novelty print and since I don’t have that other pattern the people seem to love to use for that purpose (the emery), I may just have to buy it! Very minimal grading is always a winner in my book! I know it may be hard to believe, but I have actually never seen a single episode of star trek! I’m am currently fan girling pretty hard over Twin Peaks while I force my gentleman caller to watch it for the first time, but I have never seen any Twin Peaks fabric and I’m not sure I would want to! Ah!
I think you’d really like this pattern, Megan!! 🙂 If I ever see any Twin Peaks fabric, I’ll let ya know. I took my husband to Harts Fabrics the other day and he was in awe over all of the neat prints. He even said how if he was a girl he would be wearing all of these cool dresses. haha! 🙂 He’s a volvo enthusiast and I’ve been looking for some fabric with classic volvos on it and haven’t found that. Guess we need to learn how to design fabric and have Spoonflower print it!
I love this so much!!! 😀 😀 😀 <3 Star Trek fan girl high five!
High fives all the way!
AMAZING! You have inspired me to give a Game of Thrones fangirl dress considerably more thought!
That would be super awesome! I haven’t seen any GoT fabric yet, but there are several patterns!! Daenarys here you come!
Love that dress! I have made bags from that fabric (which I took with me when I met Mr Shatner at Oz ComicCon!) but didn’t have enough for clothes. I will be making my niece a Star Wars fabric dress eventually though to improve my geek credentials. The fit of the dress is lovely and very flattering.
Thanks, Caryn! That’s awesome that you got to meet the original Capt Kirk! Super cool! I have a little of this fabric left, so may make a bag or something. I’d love to see your niece’s Star Wars dress when you make it! Star Wars is another of my loves, but I haven’t seen a fabric that has really “spoken” to me yet except for one that was only in a fleece…. I guess Star Wars pjs? 🙂
Oh my goodness, that FABRIC!! You look amazing as always, such a beautiful dress pattern, if only I wasn’t slowly growing out of everything that has a waistline…
Thank you, Jennifer! This pattern would look awesome on you! But I guess you’ll have to wait until your little one makes his/her appearance!
I am not really a huge Trekkie, I love the old ones and also have a soft spot for Spock (as my mate told me, we have the same hairdresser!). This dress is gorgeous, the fabric is incredible and I love this as a close second to your Horror Film fabric dress. You always make fabulous frocks. Xxxx
Awe, thank you. 🙂 I love these kitschy fabrics and never would have thought I’d be making dresses out of them, but I love to make and wear them! 🙂
If we were currently engaging in a Vulcan mind meld, you would see how strong my love for this fabric is. I’m a Next Gen. gal, personally, but I love the graphics associated with the original.
Live long and prosper, my friend. 🙂 I’m not sure I’ve seen any Next Gen fabrics? It would be cool if they had some! My mom’s fave is Capt Picard.
I couldn’t love this more! What I appreciate most is the reproduction of actual comic book covers here. It makes me sorry I’m not more of a Star Trek fangirl.
Yeah, that comic book covers are truly awesome. I actually didn’t realize that that was what they were when I first bought the fabric, but then my husband (a comic book guy) pointed it out. They’re just too cool!!
I love the authenticity of the Marvel liscensed fabric too. I have the Star Wars comic covers, and several different patterns of the Marvel heroes covers too. If I make them all into dresses I would have a wardrobe for a week long convention!
I’ve always been more of a DC girl (I have a Wonder Woman dress in the works!), but I’ve been getting into Marvel more. I would love to see your Captain America dress BTW!! Your closet must be sooo darn cool.
That’s a skirt, and I just couldn’t resist all the Jack Kirby covers. I love DC too (I used to work at a comic book store in Mpls for years) but I adore Chris Claremont era X-men, and love the Marvel Comics movie universe a lot.
The Marvel universe is AWESOME, its no wonder why you love it so 🙂
I actually like this a lot; I’m not usually into prints like this, but it really works and the dress silhouette is very flattering. Nice job! 😀
Thanks, Patricia! When I was putting it together I was starting to think about how loud the fabric was and wasn’t sure about it. I think the solid belt breaks up the print and I’m pretty happy about the outcome!
Love this dress! I also have to use a “swayback” adjustment and I think it kind of scares me away from some dress patterns that I should try – like this one.
Thank you, Leslie! It’s really easy to do — I just take a little tuck on the pattern piece in the middle and taper it out to the waistline. It seems to work pretty well for me for dresses that have lower waistbands like this. I also watched Barbara Deckert do in her plus size craftsy class, so I felt better about folding and taping the pattern piece to get it to fit right. It works well on the back of my dresses!
I snagged that craftsy class this weekend during their sale. Can’t wait to start watching. 🙂
There’s a lot of good info in it for sure!