A diary of all my mad projects.

I am glad that you stopped by - welcome to my world. Its a little mad and hectic as I sew, knit, embroider and generally craft my way through life. My newest resolution is to spend more time sewing - less time dreaming about it. I love to read comments so I am looking forward to hearing from you all.




Tuesday, January 15, 2013

A little break...



Image from http://www.palmprints.co.nz/gallery/Symmetrees/tui-in-pohutukawa-2/203414
Back to blogging after a longer than anticipated break.  I am now trying to catch up with everyone's blog entries as well as update mine.  A very busy season this year, I hope everyone had lots of time with their families and relaxed, recharged ready for 2013!

I have been busy sewing a dress for a wedding and a travel wardrobe for our trip to Australia. 

First up was the dress from a fabric featured at the beginning of the year



This beautiful rayon became Vogue 8486





Pattern Sizing.
I made up a size 20 with no alterations – I need to rewrite this!! I needed no alterations.
Did it look like the pattern photo /drawing envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, yes, yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, followed most of them but changed the facings.
What do you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love the pleats and the way the dress falls about my body – it is a very cool dress on a hot summer day.
Fabric used?
Although this pattern calls for the use of a stretch fabric I used rayon with little stretch and it is a perfect fit.  The fabric like most rayon is very slippery and drapey which works well with the pattern style.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made?
On the sample pattern I added extra to the seams as insurance, which was not required.
Would you sew it again or recommend it to others?
Yes, I would like to try this again as a top and can see me making the long sleeve version for winter in a merino knit for the classroom.
Conclusion.
Laying out the pattern on the fabric was a challenge as the skirt is pegged – I worked hard to match the stripes and they mostly work.  I love the star effect of the bodice and am very proud of the placket at the back as the stripes match across the centre back seam.  I loved the final dress and felt like a million dollars wearing it.









I made a silk chiffon overtop from McCalls 6210 using some fabric from the auction which worked great. I also finally used the overlocker to make a rolled hem on the overtop. Too easy and I am don't know why I took so long to try using this stitch!!!







4 comments:

  1. This outfit looks fantastic! Lovely, bright and colourful. I really must take a leaf out of your book and try using my rolled hem on the overlocker, then the coverstitch, then the...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you Judith! I need to try the chainstitch function now - I would be lost without my Babylock coverstitch machine - I use it for lots of things and can recommend it for more that just knits.

      Delete
  2. Wonderful dress Jacquianne! That Vogue dress is one of my TNT summer dress patterns and it is so flattering on. I used a poly buttermilk for one version and a women asked me if she could buy it when I wore it to get my hair done. Yours looks great in this interesting pattern. I love the way the facing supports all the way around and under the armholes.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you Terri, it means alot coming from you as I admire your style and you are one of my sewing heroines!!! I love this pattern and can see it becoming a standard. Unfortunately the photographer has been busy so no on the body shots.

    ReplyDelete