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.