Broderie anglaise dress #7 - completed

So, I have finalIy completed the broderie anglaise dress, but it was touch and go after I sabotaged myself by idiotically leaving the iron on too high a setting when pressing down the back lapels (I thought I was being so clever doing those!) and melted a hole right through the lining! Disaster.

The idea for this design on the back was inspired simply by the fact I only had a shorter zip in stock than 

the one required by the dress pattern (Simplicity 2444). Therefore it made sense to make a feature out of it and fold down the excess fabric. As I was fully lining it anyway, it made a nice bit of contrast detail on the back and I was pretty chuffed with it! Then I ruined it!!

Oh well. Here's how I got round it: instead of trying to replace that bit of lining,  as it's only for myself, I simply reverted to the original neckline and used a button and inserted a loop on one side, thus creating a nice cutaway effect at the top. I quite often see a little loop and button arrangement at the back of tops, and this is a similar principle. Here's how it came out:

And the front view:

As you can see, I've added a lace collar/trim around the neck to add interest. I'm not sure it's really my style, but I've got heaps of lace sitting around and was looking for an excuse to use some! This was hand-sewn on at the neck. By the way isn't it mad how different the fabric looks under a flash! In daylight it's somewhere in between but more petrol blue than sky blue.

Overall I'm not sure I'll be wearing this very often - it doesn't fit too great (I don't remember having that problem last time with the 2444 but from now on I will be measuring pattern pieces against my own measurements). I don't feel too pleased with the skirt and gathered waist either, I took a gamble and did my own thing rather than sticking to the pattern and it looks fine, just a little boxy when worn. Also the zip - the fabric is a little gathered on one side so I haven't done a great job there. But, I hate zips and they hate me back so I'm just glad it went in! Really must practise those more.

I'd say this was a good practise garment but not one of my favourites. I can see me taking the lace off, adding something at the waist and re-fitting the zip, at some point - but for now, I'm happy :)

Broderie anglaise dress (#7)

I had this lovely petrol blue broderie anglaise sitting around that my mum had sent to me (she also sent some matching in a khaki green) and decided it had to become a dress, but not a pencil dress this time. I picked up ol' trusty Simplicity 2444 which apparently everyone in the world has used at some point - it's a nice easy pattern and quick to construct.

It's still unfinished as I'm trying to do an interesting lapel-style detail on the back which I'll show you once the zip is in and it's all finished, however here's the progress so far (I've added the belt to give it a bit more interest):

I also don't intend to keep all the length, I'll probably remove about 6 inch once hemmed (you can just make out the line where I've had it pinned up to give me an idea). For the skirt I moved away from the pattern as I didn't like the pleating from the last time I used it, and just took a simple rectangle the widtg of the fabric (this was a 45" one) of the relevant length and gathered it at the waist. It's much more of a daytime look I think. I had a bit of bother with the top as it was too long and I forgot to shorten the bodice part of the pattern prior to cutting, so I had to remove about 1.5cm at the shoulders whicg has raised the neckline but I still think it's ok.

It's fully lined using a grey lining I happened to have already in stock, so again cost me nothing except the zil which I've yet to buy. I have some lace which might make a nice collar trim and I might add a couple of buttons at the centre top too.

Dress #3 - Alice in Wonderland?

So, where have I been?! As warned, I've been busy working a lot but am now finally starting to wind down and have been back at my sewing machine working on a few things (I do love having several projects on the go at the same time!)

So first up I'm going to tell you about a project that started almost 4 weeks ago when a new pattern arrived, and which is now almost finished - just the hem to do. I enjoyed using this pattern, as it fit pretty well without much adjustment and it seems to be kind of a 'wardrobe staple' dress pattern according to other blogs, so hopefully I'll use it a few times. The pattern is Simplicity 2444:



I decided for my first attempt (and only my third ever dress, after all!) that I should make the most simple of the designs - view A / the top left in the dress view here:

Also I decided to line this dress, partly because I'd had a bad experience with dress #2 fraying along the seams even though I'd overlocked (but not with an overlocker/serger) the seams, and the insides looked a mess and I didn't want to risk the wear on the seams for this dress.

The blue fabric was already in my stash, having been donated by my grandmother around Christmas time, but I still had to buy the lining fabric and a zip - but not even any thread, as my wonderful grandma had also donated some thread, one particular reel of which was a great match! So this dress probably cost me about £6ish to make.

Here's the result, sorry about the awful pic but you'll be used to that from me by now already!



I like the fit, although there seems to be some small amount of bagginess at the waist to chest area, but not enough to bother me. I really should have done my hair for this pic. Ah well.

As you can probably see, the hem is still only pinned and needs to be finished off, but it's just about there! Really pleased with it, my only concern is that it might be a little bit too Alice in Wonderland...

Just the facts:
Fabric: from (Grandma's!) stash, free
Pattern: Simplicity 2444
Year: contemporary
Notions: invisible zip, lining
Time to complete: not sure, let's just say a month!
First worn: not yet worn out, needs hemming first
Wear again? Yes, maybe even for work; definitely with a white apron and blonde wig for fancy dress parties!
Total cost: about £6ish

Finally I want to thank all the lovely contributors at The Sewing Forum for their help when I've needed it. I would thoroughly recommend signing up whether you're a beginner or an old hand, it's a great community of advice and thoughts on a range of sewing subjects, based in the UK but open to all. Go check it out!