26.6.10

winging it


Another sewing creation for the blog today. I can't get enough of my sewing machine at the moment, it is without doubt my new 'bf'. In fact it's becoming such a love affair that if the honeymoon isn't over soon, the family will surely starve!


Another reason for my increasingly insatiable appetite for stitching is the Sew Mama Sew dressmaking challenge which is taking place all this month. The only requirement is that the garment must have been made during June and can be for an adult or a child. That's it. So, if you too have been stitching like crazy these past few weeks you may like to post your piece on their flickr group pool here. SMS say their intention was to encourage people to dust down their sewing machines and get creative and I can tell you, it's worked a treat with me!

Japanese fabric that's been hoarded - nuff said! Japanese pattern, same old story. This one is pattern N from Stylish Dress Book 3, from the hugely successful trilogy.


I had such a lovely time sewing this one, which has quite an unusual style in that the front of the dress is made of two parts, the lower section incorporating deep apron-style pockets. I've got a 'Toast' dress from way back with similar pockets, quite roomy but not gaping thankfully, and sometimes it's good to just dig your hands right on in, don't know why. The instructions couldn't have been clearer which helps soooo much too.


Because of the horizontal separation in the dress, I took the time to match up the fabric which thankfully worked pretty well and I had enough material to do that, which I achieved by juggling the order of the pattern pieces. Even so, the dress took nearly all of the 3 metres I had but do you know something? I absolutely love this dress, enough to sacrifice even more had the need arisen!


But by far and away the best bit is the cutesy sleeves which I did issue warnings that you'd be seeing again fairly shortly. So sweet and almost mini wing-like, not to mention girlie too, these sleeves are actually sewn on the outside of the dress right at the very end.


I wore it to a party earlier this week, an outside school 'do' where my mini wings and I remained cardigan-less throughout the entire evening. We could well have been in the South of France.


Which is how it feels today too, don't you think?

And last, but by very definitely no means least, it's my father's Birthday today. Daddy, I love you so much, I wish I was with you to celebrate this day but will raise a glass this evening you can be sure of that! Kate X

13 comments:

  1. Cute! Great job matching the pattern - I can't tell the dress was made of two pieces until I read your blog. Good job! And I know what you mean by in love with your sewing machine - that's all I think about now, unfortunately I don't get to spend as much time with it as I want.

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  2. LOVE IT!!! Both the pattern and the fabric, they are both just fabulous. I think if it was mine, it could easily become my favourite dress.

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  3. That is a gorgeous dress, those sleeves are so lovely!

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  4. That is fabulous! You've got me wanting to make myself a dress now!

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  5. Fresh and pretty and just right for the Summer. I hope you'll have lots more occasions to wear it.
    cheers
    Helen

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  6. Whenever I see such lovely creations like yours, I really wish I'd taken to needlecraft at school. My teacher gave no encouragement whatsoever in this subject at all by constantly marking me down on my report. Your dresses are so delicate, pretty and cool, and so beautifully modelled. x

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  7. Thank you all for such encouraging comments.

    Louise, my school memories are very similar to yours. I think I made the usual apron and that was that but it's only now that I'm starting to sew by teaching myself, which proves it's never too late.

    x

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  8. Another wonderful dress Kate and so perfect for summer. I love your daughter's one in the previous post too. Delightful photos!

    Jeanne
    x

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  9. What wonderful creations you have been sewing up! All your special fabric looks so amazing. All the self binding work is lovely. I really think you have a knack for this sort of thing my dear!

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  10. oh its beautiful! happy birthday for your dad! fliss xx

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  11. Yay those butterfly sleeves, I am wearing a blouse with those very same sleeves today!
    I love the way you have matched the print, those pockets are perfect!
    Happy Birthday to your Dad too!

    Sarah x

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  12. What a delightful dress!!! Your blog is every bit as lovely...just found you and so glad I did...Off to visit your etsy shop..I simply adore the red beads in your banner. xoxo

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  13. fantastic dress - the fabric suits it perfectly.

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There's nothing like a comment to stop me feeling like I'm talking to myself. If you leave one here I'll pop one back here too, so don't forget to come back and continue the conversation ..

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