Thursday, April 2, 2015

A dress for March.

It has been ages since my last post and not all that time has been spent making my dress. I finished it a week ago but it takes me forever to get the photos done.

The dress is another old Style pattern. Number 1134 from 1975 again. I seem to have bought a lot of patterns around that time when I was looking at dresses in the shops and saying to myself  "I can make that!". I actually did make this dress a couple of times before and had wanted to make another one. The fabric has been in the stash for some years and was always ear-marked for this particular pattern. Now they have finally been united, but it was a long-winded affair.


First I dithered over whether I would be sorry after I'd cut the thing out. What if I didn't like it or it didn't fit, the pattern is 30 years old and my middle is 30 years older also. I spent hours measuring and re-measuring the pattern and myself. Then I allowed extra at the side seams just in case. This proved to be unnecessary so the finished dress is as the pattern size.

The only alterations I made were a forward shoulder adjustment, took the centre front seam in a little at the neckline to fix some gaposis and made an all in one facing instead of the separate neckline and armhole facings.

 Not too sure how flattering this dress is. I am lucky to be still slim at my age but I am rather shapeless having next to no waist or hips, a true column or rectangle. I love the colour, it's one of my favourite shades of  blue and I am currently building a holiday wardrobe around blue so it fits in with the general theme. Whether I will wear it is another story.




Next project is a pull-on  A-line skirt in stretch crepe with blue scribble. I only have 1 metre so a couple of the patterns I considered won't fit.


  I really fancied Style Arc's Gorgeous Gore skirt, but that needs 1.3m and will require major manipulation of the pattern and fabric. I enjoy that sort of challenge. Failing that there is always Vogue's 1247 leaving out the darts and zip and inserting elastic at the waist. I can do that, or finally an old A-line pattern with the side seam straightened and an elastic casing added which would be simplest. The options are endless as is the decision making.

12 comments:

  1. I hope you do wear that dress - it's lovely and a fabulous colour.

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  2. It is a lovely dress and the most perfect blue for you! I really like it too! Looks cool and refreshing for a hot summer day. Look forward to seeing what you decide for a pull-on skirt. Interesting thought to convert the V1247 to pull-on. All your choices look good. Have to say, I tend to go through similar angst about choosing patterns.... then matching the pattern to fabric.... oh my goodness 'dither' is a great word!

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  3. Kathy it is definitely flattering. The dress looks great on you and the colours are fantastic. I think I had the same fabric (from Spotlight) but ruined mine on a dreadful dress when I first started to sew. I loved the fabric so much I kept the ruined dress instead of throwing it out and now your gorgeous dress has inspired me to try to salvage some of the fabric.

    Looking forward to seeing your skirt. That fabric is lovely too. Please wear the dress and see how many compliments you will get.

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    1. Thank you, BeaJay. I wore the dress today and my children think I'm very clever. (none of them sew) :)

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  4. The dress suits you Kathy. Hides the mid section and the slight flare gives a nice shape- which we rectangles need, whatever age. I agree with BeaJay - you should get compliments in this. And when it is cooler, it will look lovely with a little cardigan, which could also go with your skirt.

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    1. Thank you SarahLiz. The little cardigan is a great idea. I have a nice Kwik Sew pattern so I must look for some suitable fabric.

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  5. What a pretty dress and fabric! Love to see you wearing it and you look great :)

    Love your plan and fabric choice. Can not wait to see the finished skirt.

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  6. That dress and fabric are a love affair together! Perfect for you. You better like it!!! As for your new skirt - great fabric, pattern umm ... Good luck:)

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  7. That dress has a lovely shape on you. Perfect for hot sunny days. Love your fabric for the skirt. If you chose a pattern without a waist band you may just squeeze a skirt from a metre.

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  8. That dress has a lovely shape on you. Perfect for hot sunny days. Love your fabric for the skirt. If you chose a pattern without a waist band you may just squeeze a skirt from a metre.

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