True Bias Roscoe Dress and an EDS photography show

Years ago when the True Bias Roscoe was first released, I wanted to make it but the original sizing was a few inches smaller than my own. The finished measurements were probably okay at first but then I grew a bit more with my disability majorly limiting my mobility. Now the Roscoe is in sizes 0-30! I had to make it right away, especially since I have been looking for flowy dressy patterns that still had a high level of comfort to them.

I made a size 24 with no alterations in view C. No alterations. Seems I am on a spree for that lately!

The fabric I used is a purple lightweight satin. I think the fit is pretty good. It’s meant to be a blousey/flowy look so there isn’t much to the fit.

That said, without the belt, the dress looks pretty Victorian nightgown. Will I be visited by the ghosts of sewing past?! Oh god, please do not visit me, sewing disasters of the past. I do not need nightmares!

But that’s why I have belts! I was pretty impressed overall with the pattern. It was my first True Bias pattern and I liked the instructions. My only criticism is that there is so much gathering. But that’s only a criticism because gathering fabric is so tedious and annoying and getting perfect gathers why your hands are failing to grip thread at all lately… welp…

I love the dress so much. I wore it to a gallery opening where I was featured in photographs along with other people who have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

A local actor, Ophira Calof, put the show together with a local photographer, Chorong Kim, to highlight the hidden moments of EDS. The show was called “We’re not Waiting” and is open until the 26th at the Miles Nadal JCC.

The photographs were stunning and showed so many different aspects of life with EDS. We all look very different but share the same diagnosis.

Here are the photographs of me:

The caption reads:

Andie 01: I spend a lot of time in this room on my bad days in pain, a prisoner in my own body, distracting myself with streaming videos and working on embroidery. I am lonely and isolated from the able-bodied world – Andie Wells

The caption reads:

Andie 02: Cutting out the fabric to sew is exhausting for me but necessary to keep being creative. I contort my body so it doesn’t cause pain in my back or wrists or fingers and I take lots of breaks – Andie Wells

I love the pictures that Chorong took and I love that Ophira, who also has EDS, took the time to create the show.

My emotions were running high that day with tears but also so happy. I’ve never been in a room with that many people who got it.

I hope to have more days like that where I feel as seen.

Also, spy the Helen’s Closet Blackwood cardigan that will be coming to the blog as soon as I take more pictures!

I’m so thankful to my partner, Velvet, who took these gorgeous pictures of me and also thankful he didn’t snap a picture when I was crying during the speeches.

Each participant was also given a gift of a kalanchoe, some local honey, an EDS bracelet and a little stone that says smile.

TL:DR Review

• Pattern: True Bias Roscoe
• Pros:  Much better size range now. Lovely dress and great fit.
• Cons: Nightgown vibes in the long view.
• Make again?: Yes! I am going to make the blouse next. I doubt I will make another dress from it though.
• Rating:   5/5 stars

 

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