Drumroll, please! After going over the final poll results for the sew-along, we have a clear winner: the swing dress! (A big thank you to everyone who took a moment to cast their vote!) I have to admit, I’m more than a bit nervous about leading a sew-along, having never done anything like this before. So I do hope I don’t royally mess things up or prove to be the most frustrating sew-along leader ever! lol. Despite these reservations, I am excited that we’ll be doing the dress, and dearly hope that you’re not too disappointed if you were looking forward to the circle skirt sew-along. (I’ll be keeping that in mind for a later sew-along possibility!) So are you ready to jump into it? Here’s the tenative schedule I worked out:
Start Date: January 11, 2011
End Date: March 3, 2011
January 11: intro and supplies list. Inspiration from period sources
January 13: sources for fabric/suitable stabilizers
January 20: preparing for the muslin
January 27: making and fitting the muslin/adjustments
February 3: finalizing the pattern + cutting out the fashion fabric
February 7: applying stabilizer and sewing the shoulder seams
February 11: topstitching the midriff and finishing the bodice
February 14: sewing the skirt + attaching the skirt and bodice
February 17: closure application (invisible and regular zipper, as well as a “period” method)
February 24: setting in the sleeves
February 28: hemming and finishing touches
March 3: final dress show-off party!
Does that sound like a reasonable timeline? I wanted to keep it spread out enough since I know many people will want to order the pattern and possibly fabric as well–so that hopefully gives us enough time. But if all goes well, everyone who is participating can join in a little blog party on February 28th (I’ll be putting up a post with final photos of my version as well as a way for everyone who finished theirs to add links to their pictures/blog)!
So the first official post will be up sometime tomorrow–keep an eye out for it!
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I’m in so many sewalongs right now, but there’s no way I would miss this one! Definitely signing up. Thanks for hosting this Casey!
Such a timely sew along (right when I was about to attempt the Swing Dress on my own!) SO happy you are doing this, and can’t wait to get started!
Ooooh, I was waiting for this! I have a few vintage dress patterns and suit pattern I wanted to do, but they can wait. I just hope I have the time to finish! LOL
Yay! How exciting. This is such a lovely dress I can’t wait to start; I have a perfect silk fabric for this in my stash too (hoping silk is suitable for this…)
I also can’t wait for your “suitable stabilizers” post on the 20th. It sounds like a great one. (I’m a nerdy sewer like that).
Also we planning on using flickr to post up pictures throughout?
Wooot! I love the look of this dress but have been a bit nervous of trying it as I’m sure I’ll need to do a FBA, which scares me. Very pleased to have someone holding my hand!
Christine, I’m also in a bunch of sew-alongs
Most I could do on my own, but it’s fun to sew with others and get new tips and inspiration!
Casey, I love that you’re including a period method of applying zips! Very cool. Don’t feel nervous, you’ll do great!
Can it be any “swing” pattern from the 40s or does it have to be a one-for-all pattern? (just curious)
I can’t wait to get this started! I think I’ll go order my patten now!
This will be my first sew along, and I am so excited! Thanks so much for hosting and I can’t wait to get started
This is going to be great! I am so happy! Thank you so much! The schedule looks great. I have the pattern but need fabric and looking forward to your low down on finding the right fabric. Not so good at this picking fabric yet.
Hooray Casey, three cheers for our fearless leader! Well almost fearless! It will be okay, really!
Sounds great! Guess I should get ordering that pattern!
This sounds great Casey, thanks so much for the opportunity! To be perfectly honest, I’m petrified of taking part in case I totally mess such a lovely pattern up…but I’m going to be brave and give it a go ;o)
Brillo! I’m in! Although I’ve got some other projects lined up so might lag behind a little, but I’ll still be there!
oh what a great idea, wish I had the time! I hope you do end up doing another!
Ooh very tempting – this could be the perfect project for my newly acquired fabric!
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So excited and then looked into ordering the pattern. I like in England and the only stockier doesn’t have any in stock. Is it worth trying the e-pattern?
i would love to participate in this! this will be my first participation in sew-along!
Woo hoo! I just purchased the pattern and am so excited to participate in this sew-along. I’ve only made one dress, and never done anything vintage; this will be so much fun
OMG! I’m so nervous! I’ve sever sewn anything more complicated than–well, let me say that again. I’ve never *properly* sewn anything more complicated than a pillow cover. I did modify an old prom dress into Hermione’s Yule Ball gown for Halloween this year, but I totally cheated. I was hoping for the skirt but I guess I might jump off the deep end…
Great banner/button too. May I copy and add to my sidebar?
I’m UK too. If we can’t get the tissue pattern how does the whole e pattern thing work. Sounds a bit scary and as if it involves scaling up????
Portia
xxx
I’m in way over my head this year with projects and sew-a-longs but I REALLY want to do this dress!!
I’m so excited, although not sure what fabric I have or even what I would use? But excited. Did I say that already? Very excited! 
I cant wait I’m so excited to start the dress =)
I think I am going to give it a go. Love this dress. I have sewn, but …. This will be good practice as I am supposed to be helping my daughter with an 18th century French costume for her French film and theatre class this semester.
I promised myself I wouldn’t join any more sew-alongs or plan any more projects until I finish the ones I’ve already started. But promises are sometimes made to be broken. What the heck. I’m in.
Yay, I’m really excited!! I just have one question, as I never joined a sew-along – will we have to buy the pattern from the site, will you teach us how to do it or will you post it?
Aaaaawww, I so want to take part. But neither can I sew nor do I own a sewing machine. But I really want to…. Shame!
Yay! I procrastinated and didn’t order the pattern yet, but I noticed (as have others) that there is an e-pattern version available. So hopefully this will solve the problem of shipping before next week’s trip. If anyone is interested in the e-pattern but have questions, there is a whole section about e-patterns in the FAQs on the site http://sensibility.com/resources/faqs/ Can’t wait!!
Great! I am going to order this pattern asap!
I’ve never sewed a dress before, but I love the look of that dress so much, that I might have to join in!
Oh dear…totally broke this week…maybe with the next pay period. But I shall follow along, and hop in when I can afford it!
Well, as you have never hosted a sew-along, neither have I ever participated in one… but I hope to do this one! I have been wanting to make this dress again with nursing modifications, so now’s as good a time as any. I’ve been in touch with Mrs. Chancey about ways to make the modifications and I believe I can work it out. I already purchased the e-pattern two years ago so I just need to order my fabric and I’ll be set!
I was putting off the buying of this pattern. Now I have no choice! I am an absolute begginer, and I have found that I too often make mistakes I can’t solve, as I am a self taught seamstress (I don’t even know I should me calling myself that). Do you think that would be a project simple enough for a beginner? I LOVE the swing dress, your version specially, but the not-so-good-at-this-yet side of me wishes you had picked the circle skirt, as it seems easier. I have never sewn anything but skirts, and bodices and sleeves scare me to death!
Oh this will be fun! That pattern has been languishing in my stash for a couple of years now, what a perfect kick in the rear to actually make it up! Now to find a good fabric in the stash…
Yay!!! I’m so happy the dress won! I’m sure you will do an excellent job of leading the sew-along…off to download the pattern!
super excited! it’s gonna be awesome.
Wow, I’ve never been a part of one of these how exciting! You know how long it’s been since I’ve sewn something for myself? This will be great for swing dancing! ♥
Oh yay! I’m so excited for this. I’ve only ever made 18th and early-19th century stuff, but I’ve so been wanting to branch out into more “modern” sewing. Can’t wait!
I’ve been looking forward to doing this, and this will be the first dress I have ever made. Bit scarey!!
I was a little unsure about this particular pattern (the stomach area) but it’s growing on me. Since I’ve been gun shy about sewing dresses, this sew-along might be the perfect place to start. Great timing!
Oh I really really want to do this!! I hope my meager sewing skills are up to the challenge!
As I’m a sewing newbie I won’t be doing this one. But I will definitely be following everything so I know what the whole process is. Then I’ll be fully prepped to try it later this year. I can’t wait to hear how everyone is going and to see the finished dresses. How exciting! Goodluck everyone, and have fun!
Oh what fun! I need to get a little kick in my sewing-butt and that’s a lovely dress. I’m on!
I am so there! I need something to keep me on track crafting.
Best Wishes,
AManda
I’m in! This is my first sew-along ever and I’m going to report every little step in my vintage blog hopeapeili.blogspot.com
Just ordered the pattern, hope it arrives in time.
Kewl! I’m in
I’m seeing my drafting teacher this evening, I’ll take the pattern along with me so we can look at the adjustments needed. Now all I need is fabric…………
Yay! I am so excited! Is there going to be a discount for buying the pattern on the website as part of the sew-along? I know that Gertie has done it in the past, and I was wondering if there would be one on this one too… I’m sewing on a budget
Wonderful news! I’ve already bought my dress pattern (I had my fingers-crossed that the dress would be the winning vote). I may have to follow along at a snail’s pace as I fear i may have over extended myself as I’m also doing the sewalongs for :
LOL!).
Sunni’s Trousers, Tasia’s Pendrell Blouse, Peter’s Men’s Shirt… oops! I’d best get the spare-room tidied up pronto so that I can move all mym sewing gear in there (poor hubby is getting fed up tripping over my machine & scraps of fabric lying on the lounge floor
Yay! I’m so happy you’re doing this, Casey! I recently started swing dancing, and this dress will be perfect for our parties. I’m going to order the paper pattern, hope it arrives in time to our faraway country. I’m super excited!
I really shouldn’t as I’m already doing three sewalongs, but I couldn’t resist! Just ordered my pattern now and can’t wait, I LOVE that dress! x
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