September 26, 2007
FDC211 (W 5:10-9:45)
STAR WARS “Sith Lord” Robe
Simplicity 5840, A, XL, Unaltered
1st Completed Project
Well, I guess what you see is what you get; The robe I made did look exactly like the photo on the cover of its pattern's package. 'Don't know why I'm surprised. But, I guess it means that I followed the directions correctly. However, even though, this time, I cut each pattern piece out of the fabric individually, one layer at a time as opposed cutting double layers, and as a result, all the pieces did match each other exactly, I was also surprised to find that some of the edges of nonidentical pieces still did not match up by several inches. By so many inches, in fact, that I'm almost sure the error was in the pattern and not my own folly. At some point in the past, I don't know why or when, I picked up the assumption that all commercial patterns were subjected to harsh mathematical analysis before being “published”. Now, I'm not as sure... Maybe they consider it test enough that a pattern can work at all, even with minor bugs in it? I noticed before entering your class, Ms. Fimbres, that it is often necessary to 'fudge' your work, and one thing what I would call 'fudging' I was surprised to learn actually had a technical term----“truing”. Anyway, 'fudge' being a more general term, I was able to 'fudge' the uneven edges together in what was probably the best 'fudge'-job I have ever done. (specific problem areas: base of hood far too wide; collar strip far too narrow.)
On another note, I've been trying to come up with some new hood ideas for my cloaks, and this robe, by shear coincidence, just happened to be using one of them. So, feeling unsure about all of my hood ideas so far, this project gave me an opportunity to test that one. And, actually, the same goes for the capelet around the shoulders; I've never done a capelet before, of any kind, but I was thinking of trying it... Both are fine, but I still do not like the effect enough that I will want to use them over and over again; It is my belief that even elements one does not like can be used an a way one does like, and therefore, one must not rule them out as future possibilities. This robe design all together is not particularly to my liking, but, as I discovered by experimentation, tie a belt around it and I may just want to make another one! (The effect is something in the neighborhood of what I was trying to come up with for the clothes of some characters in story that I'm writing, and I have said before that, in order to design the fashions of these characters, I may just have to make their whole wardrobe because that is how I think best; not by drawing it first.)
One thing that I liked especially about this pattern was the use of a yolk. I've never done that before, either, but now, I plan to ponder it for use in later, original designs. This, and the use of the collar strip to hide the stringy, fraying edges of the many layers in the neck seam, are two techniques I like very, very much, and will probably end up using a lot in the future.
And, there's one thing I don't like about the finished robe, too---the seem finishes. I don't like having the raw edges still exposed on the inside. I ironed them flat open, like the directions said to do, but that fabric frayed something terrible, and at least on the inside, without a lining, it doesn't look quite as 'professional' as I would prefer. Yet, on the bright side, that is my only complaint in the end.
My brother likes the fabric so much that he said I should make everything out of it. And we both agree that this robe, though far from the greatest looking design in the world, is probably THE most comfortable.
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