Sunday, April 4, 2010

EASTER DRESS

I finished my latest project in time for Easter...just!







It was really easy to put together, although I had to take in the waist about 4cm, which was unusual because I don't normally have to make any alterations to the actual fit of the garment. (I'll probably have to let it out again though, considering the ridiculous amount of chocolate I have consumed in the last 24 hours!)


Loving the design. I was a little perplexed at first when constructing the pockets. I was thinking that I had the incorrect pattern pieces as they didn't seem to sit flat on each other, but soon realised that they were designed to sit out from the actual garment.



It's a cute feature, and was probably a good idea in the 50's so that the fashionable woman could fit in her hanky and cat's eyes sunglasses without causing ugly bulk in her pockets!



At first I wasn't too keen on this design element, and almost re cut the whole pocket again so that it would lay flat on the dress, but decided to keep with the original idea.



I'm SO glad I did! I found an even better reason to have these pockets!













Now I have to admit to avoiding hand stitching like the plague! I hated doing it, and was never satisfied with my hand hemming etc.




That has all changed!






I had lunch with a couple of friends a while back, and one of my girlfriends wore a fabulous dress that she had whipped up. Yes, she had hand hemmed the darn thing! And did a fine job of it.




Bearing this in mind, I decided to give it one more go. I got a bit 'OCD' over it and brought out this trusty little gadget and measured every stitch along the way. Very please with the result too, I might add.




Thanks Tracy, I'm a convert!

Hope everyone had a lovely Easter!

We are off to Kalbarri for a few days, so the jacket will have to wait until then...

6 comments:

  1. Enjoy your holidays at Kalbarri...and Happy Easter to you and your family! Your dress is just gorgeous, but then, I am VERY partial to polkadots :) Love your pocket storage idea, just don't let them stay in there too long...I've been told they melt! (mine never last long enough to test out that theory!) LOL about your handstitching.

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  2. I cant Believe that you measured every stitch! The dress looks lovely, love the fabric. You had better start thinking what you are going to make me if your promise from about 18 years ago still stands.
    Have a great time in Kalbarri
    xx

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  3. Cute dress Jenni, enjoy your holidays :)

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  4. Saw you on Sew Retro. I LOVE this dress. The design is just perfect for a spring-y, Easter-y dress. Very retro!

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  5. Hey Jen, your dress is gorgeous. Yep, I'm an OCD hand-hemmer, but may need your tips on perfecting the narrow hem. Happy holiday in Kalbarri! Trace xx

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