Butterick B6582: Full Skirted Floral Frock

 A while ago I saw this gorgeous Jerry Gilden dress on Couture Allure:

While this particular dress was beyond my reach, I put it in my inspiration file. A little later I came across this fabric and immediately thought of the dress. 

I wanted to make a similar style dress and was keeping my eye out for suitable patterns. Then I realised I had an excellent candidate already in my stash. Remember Butterick B6582? I made the straight skirted "screen sirens" version last year. The pattern includes a full skirted version as well. 

Since I'm already familiar with the pattern and the bodice fit quite well with minimal alterations, it seems a good choice for my next frock project. After the Crepe dress that needed so many muslin changes and the fabric that was a nightmare to work with, I'm looking forward to something a bit more straightforward.

And I have strong motivation to make this dress. My best friend is getting married in May and I will be her maid of honour. It's a nice simple ceremony so I've been spared the usual horror of bridal party wear. I'd like to have a new dress to wear and having a rough idea of what the bride will be wearing, I think a full skirted vintage style frock would be quite appropriate. And it will give me a chance to finally have something I can wear my very frilly petticoat with.

Sewing projects for 2012

Last year I didn't really make any sewing plans. This year I've decided that it would be useful to make a list of things that I'd like to make. I'm hoping it will give me a bit of focus when I find myself stuck for a project. I've also started trying to line up patterns with fabric I currently have in my stash.

 

The following isn't in any particular order, just how they happened to come out of my head. I keep the list in Evernote, which I've found is vey handy for organising, well everything! It means I can keep adding to the list as ideas come up and also remind me of what projects I want to do when I'm out and about looking at potential materials.

 

Sewing projects - clothing

• Full skirted version of Butterick B6582 in white with black floral print linen, for a wedding in May
• Jacket/cape from Burdastyle 8/2009, possibly from the dark green wool reclaimed from an SCA frock
• Slip from black cherry print satin using Ruby Slip pattern
• French knickers. From this pattern. First try with cheap satin, then if works use black cherry print silk satin
• Pajama shorts - soft cotton or linen, for summer
• Pair of linen pants from Colette Clover pattern
• Colette Parfait dress - possibly in black with white polka dot fabric
• Simplicity 2261 - Pair of casual 3/4 pants

Refashions

• Refashion bamboo pleated tops
• Refashion vintage navy and white dress
• Refashion second hand black and white houndstooth dress to a vintage style pattern 
• Replace buttons on red trench coat with something more interesting

Craft, non-clothing sewing

• Dog coats for the Lost Dogs Home. Pattern from Stitches magazine. Aim to make from recycled materials. Second hand polar fleece from jackets/blankets. Secondhand weatherproof material from umbrellas, rain coats. 
• Lavender sachets. I cut a large bunch of lavender from a neighbours garden end of last year and dried it. I've got it stored in an airtight container with desiccant sachets, so it should still be okay. Would like to make little lavender sachets to give as gifts.
• Banana lounge cover. Light padding. Probably something similar to an ironing board cover that can slip over the whole lounge and then be tightened with drawstrings or elastic. Or like a pillow slip where you have sleeves that slip over both ends and then opening the lounge out pulls the fabric taut. Have seen some terry towelling ones for sale in Spotlight, but would like something nicer.
• Dog treat bag that attaches to belt or harness with drawstring closure. Needs to be easy to open with one hand to fish out treats, but close tight enough to keep out prying noses. Will be "lab" tested as a matter if course :)
• Knitting needle case - like a pencil roll, to keep my growing collection of needles organised.
• Gardening apron based on my red Japanese apron, but with waist belt and more pockets. 
• Refashion domestic goddess apron
• Hand towels with loop at top for the kitchen, made from recycled towels
• Knitting project bags, with pockets for needles, yarn, and pattern. Could have Rigid panel with plastic sleeve to insert the patten (to be viewed from the outside of the bag). That way you could see which project is in the bag and also prop the pattern up to read while knitting. Needle pocket could run along the long side of pattern sleeve. Maybe a small internal pocket for small scissors, tapestry needles etc.. Small drawstring bags to contain working yarn to keep it clean but still allow it to come out easily. Project bag to have zippered closure to prevent things falling out. Should be large enough to fit a book if necessary. 
• Reusable bags using the black and white bag design (rolls up and is fastened with a snap). Use recycled fabrics that are light weight but sturdy. 
• Covers for Aussie farmers direct boxes to make them look a bit nicer for storage.

Knitting

• Andes shrug, in black wool (started)
• Rug from recycled t-shirt fabric
• Owl sweater
• Escargot cloche hat
• Tea cozy, haven't pick a design yet
• Possible yarn bombing

 

Crepe dress completed!

Well it's only taken a year and a bit, but I've finally finished the Colette Crepe dress that I started as part of the Crepe Sew-a-Long, way back in November last year.

Why has it taken so long? Partly having trouble finding enough energy to sew as my fibromyalgia has flared on and off, but also I discovered part way in that the fabric I'd chosen was a right pain to work with. I was obviously so seduced by the colour and print that I failed to notice just it was completely unnatural.

I discovered the synthetic nature of the fabric when I managed to accidentally melt some of it while pressing a facing. Fortunately, it was the facing that melted, not the bodice itself. It did however lead to the death of my iron after attempts to clean the melted mess from the iron plate managed to get water or something inside and fritz the electrics. Aside from it's tendency to melt, the "right" side of the fabric had a slightly raised print which the iron would constantly catch on. In short, the fabric turned an otherwise simple project into a complete palaver.

Fabric palaver aside, the dress is actually quite straightforward and easy to sew. I had no problems following the directions. I did french seams on the skirt, including the pockets. I under stitched my facings. The pattern needed a far amount of adjusting for my figure. As usual, I had to take a good inch off the bodice length. I also found that I needed to make the back narrower and adjust for my small, sloping shoulders.

Here's how the bodice pattern pieces ended up changing with my final pattern overlaying the original pattern.

The end result is fits and looks okay. But just okay. I have to say honestly that I don't love this dress. I may still be scarred from dealing with the nightmare fabric, but I also think this isn't the best style for me. The cross over at the back was difficult to fit and still manages to gape when I move, which then makes it slip off my small shoulders. I think it could use some decoration to emphasise the neckline. I had elected not to do the waist ties in contrasting fabric as I find a contrasting band can often cut me in the wrong place and emphasise my very short-waist. I'm happy with what I've made, but I think this may be joining a number of other dresses in my wardrobe that just don't feel quite right.

At least my dog Princess was still happy to be seen (and photographed) with me. As often happens, the one photo that is in focus, is the one where I'm pulling a face or in this case, have my eyes closed. Look at the dress and the cute puppy, ignore the rest :)

Right, next!

Summer Sewing Inspiration: Joining the Crepe Sew-Along

Thanks to getting into a good physical rehabilitation program, I'm now starting to feel like I can tackle some proper sewing. I've been thinking about what summer sewing projects to kick off with and faced the usual problem of too many pattern choices.

Then I saw that the lovely Gertie will shortly be starting another sew-along, and with a nice simple wrap dress, which is a) perfect for me to get back into sewing with and b) perfect for expanding my summer wardrobe.

The sew-along introduction post is here and the pattern is Colette Crepe:

I've ordered my pattern (and you can get a 20% discount code from Gertie's blog if you're interested) and it is currently en route to my post box.

Having cleared out my fabric stash prior to moving, it was necessary to do some fabric shopping. I recently cruised the local Brunswick fabric stores. I came away with two fabrics, both of which I think would suit this pattern, but are quite different so I'm undecided which to use.


This one is black with tiny polka dot and larger, irregularly placed dots.


This one is a pale, olivey green with a printed black pattern. The print feels a little raised on one side.

Both are cotton/cotton blend I think and are mostly opaque. I'd probably wear a slip under the pale one though. At the moment, I think I'm leaning towards the black and white, because that's my favourite colour palette and I could see it working well as an autumn transition dress worn over a long sleeve black top and with tights and boots. However, I really lack some lighter (in both colour and weight) dresses and I think summer here is going to be pretty toasty.

Decisions, decisions. I have until 6 December to make up my mind and start sewing. Suggestions welcome :)