Sunday 29 June 2014

Stylish Dress Book: Dress T

I have wanted to make this dress from The Stylish Dress Book since the day I bought the book. 


It is dress T from the original book, and it is lovely. What put me off for so long was that the neckline looked rather complicated.


It wasn't easy to get my head around making the neckline but I got there. Because I'd been so worried about doing it, when I actually finished, I felt ridiculously proud. And if I did it again I would be confident. This, despite my 8 year old pronouncing it as "rubbish"!  I think he's in a "trying to be cool, aloof and amusing" phase rather than giving his honest opinion - may be wrong though


The pattern is supposed to have a voluptuously gathered skirt, but I didn't have enough fabric! I'd  forgotten to calculate the extra needed for a one directional print fabric. So, I opted for a subtle a-line shape and actually I rather like it.


I also added very simple patch pockets to my dress. Cute yet practical. The design also features gathered cuffs that are bound with the same fabric as the neckline.  I did try it (see below) but I didn't like it as much as the loose bell shape, so I unpicked and went with my gut instinct.


If I made another, I might go for this cuff edging, but with little puff sleeves.


When my dress was almost finished, my sewing blogger friend Danielle over at Ivy Arch posted her latest make. And we have become sewing twins! Find her fantastic dresses here, spot the difference!


The fabric is lovely a sturdy cotton, breathable and light. The print shows lots of little ticket stubs for trains, buses and theatre shows.  It's quite kitsch.

I love my new dress - it has been a pleasure to make and lovely to wear.

13 comments:

  1. Looks like a fun dress! Even if "rubbish" is an honest opinion (which I'm sure it's not!), I wouldn't worry too much - 8 year olds aren't generally the best judges of fashion!

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    1. Rowan definitely is not a follower of fashion, when he choses his own clothes he often manages to look like an evacuee!

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  2. This looks great Louise! I really like your Aline skirt and the pockets are brilliant! You can be justifiably proud of it, nice work! - and, great colour!!

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  3. It's a lovely dress, what a fab print. You are rightly proud for figuring out the neckline, I get so excited when a pattern instruction I've puzzled over suddenly clicks in my head :)

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  4. Thank you- it is a great feeling isn't it?

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  5. Yours is really lovely! Think you have the 'pink' version of the fabric? Stylish Dress Book/dress T is a favourite make of mine too and it looks great with less fabric in the skirt. Love the patch pockets too and your neckline looks perfect. Wow! x

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    1. Thank you, the skirt was serendipitous really but I am pleased with it.

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  6. Beautiful dress! And the neckline looks flawless - well done you! I think the changes you made are definite improvements. Great job!

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    1. Aw, you are too kind, but I am happy with it. Not like the dress I'm working on at the moment which may well end up in the bin rather than the blog!

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  7. Nice dress. I too have that book. How was the fit ? Did you do any adjustments? Thanks for stopping by my blog .- Diya TheHobbyHarbor

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  8. Thank you. I didn't make any adjustments other than swapping the skirt shape. I'm really happy with it and I've worn it lots.

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  9. Looks great with linen. Amazing how different it looks to my silk version: http://www.sewinlove.com.au/2014/10/18/japanese-sewing-pattern-stylish-dress-book-1-dress-finished/

    I think the A-line skirt suits the linen version really well. Maybe it's a good thing you ran out of fabric :)

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