Friday, July 10, 2015

I actually made an actual dress!

Holy bobbins, Batman, I made a dress and I am blogging about it like a real sewing blogger!
How did this miracle come about? Well on Monday night I used the big tables at my sewing group space to cut out this dress:
When yesterday the weather was so nasty we had to cancel our trip 540km north to do a show, I used the bonus day to sew it up, happy in my sewjo. It's been forever since I made something not covered in sequins!

I like all the versions of this dress but of course I wanted to make a mash up - the long version but with the draped detail.

I did all kinds of daft things that come from not reading the instructions - like not allowing for the extra length caught up in the pleats, cutting the centre front skirt on the fold instead of cutting half of it. Both were easily fixed - the skirt was plenty long enough to trim and I just cut up the centre of the front and sewed it to the draped panel.
The pattern calls for a self lined bodice, but my fabric is so soft and drapey, I decided to put a band around the neckline like a t-shirt instead. With mitres for the three corners of the sweetheart.
So, do you want to see it?? Do ya?
 Note to Oona, low shots look great on gorgeous slim women, but not so much on us husky lasses ;-)
 Loving the draped pocket detail! The fabric is a mostly viscose knit with an almost brushed feel, making it punch above its weight in warmth. Do not be deceived by that sun - it is all show and no delivery! We'd be clocking about 8 degrees today.
 I made the sleeves a lot longer then added a 6cm band as well. It is darned cold here right now! Also, I am wearing a round-necked merino under it which is masking the sweetheart neckline.
 Looking for a Superhero from above maybe?
Back view.
I LOVE this pattern! Apart from the changes I made for my own amusement, I cut the size 28 and it was perfect.
All in all I am thrilled to have an elegant, warm winter dress that will be easy to look after. It's a little different with the drape detail, and it is a very useful pattern - I've already used the bodice bits to hack a bolero for Constance.
So, now my sewjo is back, what next? Well what you'll see next are a couple of unblogged projects. Chronology is not my forte ;-)

20 comments:

  1. Maryanne, this is gorgeous. Love it ...Proud you got to sew..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, me too! I really love it and it is crazy how little time I spend actually doing it (as opposed to talking about it ,advising others, buying and selling things used in it etc)

      Delete
  2. Impressed with your tenacity after realising you needed to modify! I think I'd have consigned it to the WIP pile for a while!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The fixes took me all of ten minutes though - thankfully :)

      Delete
  3. That looks amazing, well done.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's a draped POCKET? I may want this pattern. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes indeed - inside that draped arc is a deep pocket. I haven't stored anything in it yet but I may have to. Goood for hand warming too!

      Delete
  5. Very nice! That pocket is awesome and the fabric just perfect. Looks great on you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bunny. I am gobsmacked that the fabric and pattern thing came together so easily - usually I angst about it a lot more :)

      Delete
  6. Ohh la la. Very nice. Love the drapey look.

    ReplyDelete
  7. You're a schtar! Wonderful sewery going on there. Gorgeousness - just right to cheer you through cold weather.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow! That's some dress to get going on. The drape detail is amazing and I love the front bodice shape. Hoorah for the return of sewjo!! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know it's always been that way but every year, I get so confuddled that I am sewing cosy warm things and you guys are making sun frocks!

      Delete
  9. *gasp* Garment sewing! :D

    That is a seriously awesome dress. And by seriously, I mean fun. I love the fabric and the drapey-ness. I sort of want a winter long dress like this! It looks so comfortable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, right? I am ruining my reputation!! I can see you in the tunic version of this in this exact fabric, which is I admit not helpful hehe. I love the off the shoulder drapy sleeve version too but have no use for it - I cannot wear knits in summer they are too hot, and no other time of year is compatible with flashing bits of shoulder!

      Delete
    2. I don't understand those off-the-shoulder holey sleeves - my shoulders get cold, and if it's actually warm out, my pasty-white shoulders need protection, dammit! :D Plus here, if it's warm out, there's gonna be a change of weather or at least some sort of cold drafty breeze that'll come along in a few minutes anyways, so then I'll want to cover up. AHA Yukon, why is your weather so fickle?

      Delete
    3. I think Yukon and Wellington are siblings, at least!

      Delete