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The back is sticking out at the neck by about 2". (Moderated by Sharon1952)
Posted on: 5/7/18 9:34 AM ET
I made a sheath dress and the upper back is gaping terribly at the zipper. I guess I have a narrow back! Aside from taking out the upper zipper and taking in the center back seam, does anyone have any suggestions? It has princess seams, but the side back ends at the armhole, so any adjustment there won't make a difference. I will post a picture later.
Posted on: 5/7/18 9:52 AM ET
You may be able to add darts at the neckline.
Posted on: 5/7/18 10:19 AM ET
In reply to Sewwest
That could be a good solution. I would like to adjust the pattern so I can use it again to account for this.
Posted on: 5/7/18 10:22 AM ET
In reply to Andrea Goldman
I'd say either take out the upper zipper, make a dart as Sewwest suggested, or if the fabric cooperates ease it in. Or a combination of taking in at CB and easing excess fabric in. Or if possible you re-cut/re-shape th center back piece.
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For 2019 committed to:
- Continue using what I have (fabric, notions, patterns, books, mags, tips & tricks etc.).
- Strive to re-use 52 items from my upcycle cupboard.
- Continue purchasing fabric and patterns mindfully.
- Continue tracking my fabric stash.
- Resume tracking my pattern stash.
- Continue with RTW fast. Exceptions: bras, socks, panty hoses, shoes. Plus anything that coincidentally crosses my way and is a truly mindful purchase.
- Prioritize replacing some plain wardrobe basics (pillars or backbones) that are close or past their lifespan over adding fun, more exciting garments that I, strictly speaking, do not need (nice-to-haves).
2018 Summary:
- Used successfully what I had and bought mindfully, i.e. fabrics.
- Got a very good grip on my stash (measured and catalogued almost all of it) but failed to sew 10% down (got 9.28% done).
- Did not meet goal to make 50 projects (new, finish or re-use UFOs, upcycle, mend, repair).
- Key take away for 2019: Set fewer number-specific goals. My sewing should be driven by needs and love, not by achieving numbers.
- Continue using what I have (fabric, notions, patterns, books, mags, tips & tricks etc.).
- Strive to re-use 52 items from my upcycle cupboard.
- Continue purchasing fabric and patterns mindfully.
- Continue tracking my fabric stash.
- Resume tracking my pattern stash.
- Continue with RTW fast. Exceptions: bras, socks, panty hoses, shoes. Plus anything that coincidentally crosses my way and is a truly mindful purchase.
- Prioritize replacing some plain wardrobe basics (pillars or backbones) that are close or past their lifespan over adding fun, more exciting garments that I, strictly speaking, do not need (nice-to-haves).
2018 Summary:
- Used successfully what I had and bought mindfully, i.e. fabrics.
- Got a very good grip on my stash (measured and catalogued almost all of it) but failed to sew 10% down (got 9.28% done).
- Did not meet goal to make 50 projects (new, finish or re-use UFOs, upcycle, mend, repair).
- Key take away for 2019: Set fewer number-specific goals. My sewing should be driven by needs and love, not by achieving numbers.
Posted on: 5/7/18 10:23 AM ET
I have exact issue and now automatically narrow upper part of CB seam. Sometimes up to 3" !!
I most definitely don't have a narrow back, slender neck yes but that's much higher up. I have broad shoulders too. Very straight from neck down...no "dowagers's hump" LOl. Maybe more of an erect back issue. So I'm puzzled why this issue.
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I most definitely don't have a narrow back, slender neck yes but that's much higher up. I have broad shoulders too. Very straight from neck down...no "dowagers's hump" LOl. Maybe more of an erect back issue. So I'm puzzled why this issue.
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Amazement was my bliss.......
Amazement was my bliss.......
Posted on: 5/7/18 4:46 PM ET
In reply to Andrea Goldman
Hopefully all that you will need to do is to modify the CB seam. When I work on my own, I measure something that already fits me well and compare it to the pattern in question. Is there too much fabric in the CB neck or the full length of the CB seam? Or is it too big in the shoulders and lower back too?
Posted on: 5/7/18 9:35 PM ET
In reply to HawkeMorningStar7
Me too! Square shoulders and erect back. I have the same issue with gaping which is most obvious with wovens and CB zipper. For knits I may do a “dead” dart ie horizontal dart that tapers to 0 at armscye.
Posted on: 5/7/18 11:23 PM ET
In reply to Sewwest
I don't know why I didn't think of comparing it to a dress that fits me. That's a really good idea. I like this pattern, so I would like to modify it and make another one. I have never seen the word armscye! I thought it was a typo at first!
I really like the idea of darts rather than pulling out the zipper.
I really like the idea of darts rather than pulling out the zipper.
Posted on: 5/8/18 1:48 PM ET
I am altering a RTW dress for my daughter with the exact issue (princess seams too far over and the cb zipper not wanting to remove). I have solve the problem with darts at the neckline evenly spaced. I have to deal with a lining also.
Posted on: 5/8/18 2:26 PM ET
Here is another one with the same fitting issues... I have learned over time and over many seam rippers, that I have to look over the entire construction process of a garment to give me ways out of fitting troubles. E.g. I love invisible zippers, but I would rather opt for a centered or lapped zipper these days, because I can sew them in LAST and still have ways to add a tuck here, or tighten a seam there.... In the case of a back zipper gap, I usually have to lower the back neckline also, to eliminate a poking zipper pain in my neck....just adding a shoulder dart is not enough.
Happy stitching!
Happy stitching!
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