Whoohoo! I made it through week 1 in the Sew it up challenge! Thanks guys for voting for me!
For the second Sew it up challenge we had to make a shiftdress.. Hmm what was I going to do? I usually love my dresses form-fitting or at least fitted at the waist. Until I remembered the one pattern that made me change my mind. The Chloe dress from Victory Patterns. It’s a semi fitted, mid length A-line dress, so perfect for this challenge!
I found some gorgeous Atelier Brunette cotton at Mondaysmilk and thought of a plan to add the pleated collar from the Roxanne top to my dress. This meant changing the pattern a bit, by
raising the neckline and elongating the bust seam. But I really wanted to give
this dress a little bit of extra edge and for me adding the collar did just
that. I love this pleated collar and would add it to everything if I could..
This challenge was all about the techniques and finishing
touches. That’s why I used my favourite technique ever, french seams. They just
give the whole dress a super clean finish. I even finished the welt pockets
with french seams, which was quite a puzzle, but it worked out in the end! (I used this tutorial.) It
just feels weird putting the pieces wrong sides together and when there’s a
welt flap in between it’s even more of a mindf*ck.
 |
| French seams everywhere |
The sleeves are finished with bias tape, which I made from
the same fabric. I also inserted the sleeves with french seams, using this tutorial from Jen at Grainline Studio. I have to be honest though, I did use my serger to finish the
back seam with the invisible zipper. I just didn’t know how to finish this one
with a french seam (and Google didn’t know it either).
 |
| More french seams! |
I think this might just be my new favourite summer dress and
I hope you’ll like it too! Clean and simple, but with a little bit of edge.
Just how I like it!
I'm already super excited for the next challenge (as I've almost finished it and already love it), so if you've got a minute, please vote for me!
 |
| Bijschrift toevoegen |
This is awesome!
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant mashup. This is great!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love how all of the unique details come together.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, LOVE that you added the collar. It adds a little bit of playfulness, just perfect. The Atelier Brunette fabrics have been on my to-sew list ever since they came out, the bird print is a great choice for this dress. Lovely work! (Again!)
ReplyDeleteThis turned out so cute! I love the Atelier Brunette fabrics so much- it's probably a good thing that it would cost a fortune to ship them to the States or all my money would be spent on them! I don't know of a way to French seam the center back with a zipper, either. If I don't want it serged, I either bind the seam or turn and stitch it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sallie!
ReplyDeleteIt was super fun to think about a way to combine the two patterns, super happy it worked out!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eleonore! Ah yes the fabric is super comfy and great to work with! I also really like the print with the red and white details..
ReplyDeleteAh yes I could have turned and stitched, but doesn't that show on the right side then? I still have some difficulties with binding seams and then they end up too thick or something.. Even over here without shipping the fabric was also a bit expensive for me, but still worth it in the end :)
ReplyDeleteLove love LOVE it! That's the perfect pattern mash-up if ever there was one. I keep seeing that fabric pop up around the place and its gorgeous! I wanty!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sophie! The fabric is indeed gorgeous, but with it being a cotton, it does crease quite easily! But you don't really see it on the black luckily..
ReplyDelete