All posts filed under: Dresses

Sewing Dahlias

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Been a newish blogger I’m always extemely late to the party. The only Victoria I knew was a cake filled with buttercream, but you guys were all wearing yours as blazers! But hell no! Not this time. I’m gonna be banging on the door and the wine won’t even have chilled!  I happened to sign up for an alert from Colette for their new pattern release.  So when I received the email yesterday, with 20% off, how could a girl resist the stunning Dahlia Frock!? Raglan sleeves. Bias trim. No facings. Unlined (I can live with that) Their description on their website obviously has a lot more adjectives, (HERE) but I need to move on. Last night was spent printing and taping, I only printed out version 1 (above) but sooooo many pages! I woke up at 6am. The wind was howling outside. “Yipppeeee!” I should have been playing golf (it’s Tuesday so that’s what I do if I’m not working), but not in this weather.  After a couple of texts my days was set. …

Mono Frock has a day at the races

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A couple of Saturdays ago we had a day at Ripon races.  We had been invited by VW Van Centre who were sponsoring a race, so best frocks were called for as we were being spoilt rotten in the hospitality suite and would also be helping choose the best turned out horse in the VW Race. Perfect for a mono sewn garment for July’s challenge over at The Monthly Stitch! And also ticks all the boxes for Goodbye Valentino’s RTW Fast! I used Newlook 6146  (I believe is an OOP pattern) which I have loaned from one of my old golfing buddies, now new sewing buddy.  She’s a HUGE bag of old patterns which I rummaged in to find this:   I think its so fab that I’ve discovered the joy of tracing and sharing patterns!! My dress for the races needed to be a simple make as I only had about 4 hours to complete it. I decided to sew the back and front completely except for the facings, then baste the sides, adjusted the …

2 down, 3 to go – Vogue 1353

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As some of you will know we have 5 wddings to attend this year, and Vogue 1353 was made for one or two of the weddings.  It could even be for all 5 as there will be totally different guests at each one! If been putting off blogging about Vogue 1353 which I managed to finish in time for wedding number 1. Reasons being: Lack of photos of it being worn.. Well, lack of flattering photos. Photo top left is of me doing the “…..Y…M…C….A…..” I’ve gone off the fabric a little bit, and am regretting making it in such bold material. I had a few hiccups whilst making it which ended up reducing it’s likeability factor. But, hey oh, it’s finished and I’ve worn it 3 times so I’ll share it with you. Before I carry on, I NEED to show you Cheryl’s, from Redknits Birthday dress a.k.a. Vogue 1353.  It’s gorgous, and it gives you an idea how mine would have hanged if I’d have used the right fabric! Can you see how …

Christmas Party Dress

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I’ve been thinking long and hard about what to make for my works Christmas do, and also something for The Monthly Stitch Challenge – “Party!!”.   I didn’t want to buy a pattern or any material as my stash should be is vast enough to find something. Eventually I decided on Newlook 6648 which is a top that I previously made as a frock:    here’s where I blogged about it. The pattern calls for jersey fabric, but I wanted to make it in a shiny polyester so decided to cut it on the bias so it would have some stretch widthways. Easier said than done!! It took me ages to fold the material eventually I went with the pattern and kept everything crossed. It was really easier, and the bias gave enough ease to get it over my head. When I’d sewn up the side seams it was way to big, hung like a sack with no shape. I took the seams in about an inch from just above the waist all the way down …

McCalls 6612 – My First Frock in Years!

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I made this dress from start to finish in a day, including shopping for the pattern and fabric…… I made view B, but made it floor length. The pattern was quite bold and I spent ages laying it out on the floor trying to get the sides matched up. I’ve since learnt that I need to cut out on my kitchen hardwood floor, rather than the lounge carpet – I found the bottom layer gripped the carpet and the top layer slid all over. It was simple to make.  I love simple! I made a knee length slit either side so I could walk. I didn’t bother hemming the bottom – it doesn’t fray and no one has noticed so far! Hemming it is at the very bottom of my to do list!! I plan to make all of the versions of this dress but need to get the pattern back of a friend. She now has 3 new dresses and also said it was easy peasy! I’ve only got one pic of me in …

WOW – FROCK FINISHED

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Finished!! Can’t believe I got it done. Had such a busy day at work. Did most of it on my break, and just spent 30 minutes finishing it. Need to trim seams etc but wearable tonight. Yippeeee!! Read here how I managed to sew it in and around a 10 hour Ambulance shift!