In a spin with a 'flipped' Tinny dress... and an Echino giveaway!

By Victoria As-it-Seams - 09:33

The morning after a night of midnight sewing, this newest dress was unveiled to Missy.

But it was my son, Torin who had a 'love at first sight' moment.
"Missy, you have to dance!"  he said.
Within moments he  was swinging her around the living room presenting their own ballet of Dukas' Sorcerer's Apprentice (why, oh why, wasn't my camera to hand?)


Indeed, it's put us all in such a good mood that I'm launching my first giveaway! See end of this post for details!
This dress is of course based on Straight Grain's Tinny dress pattern. If I was properly organised I'd have created a "StraightGrain Week" logo, as she's clearly become the theme for this week.
The Birds and Bubbles dress showcases Straight Grain's first pattern, and this is based on her second, the Tinny dress (and watch this space for her third...)
Fool that I am,  I simply could not resist taking part in the Flip this Pattern August challenge to transform a Tinny dress, hosted by Frances and Suzanne .  
No matter that August is the worst time to take on extra sewing, (camping trips, work, children off school and more) I had sleepless nights dreaming of this flipped Tinny. I simply had to make it.
I had a vision of taking the circle skirt to extremes, of really emphasising its geometry and seeing just what happens if you make a circle bigger than a circle (is this mathematically possible?).


What I actually wanted to do was create a spectrum of 'close tone' wedge shapes in the circle skirt which would create a beautiful rainbow  shimmer. But I had the biggest nightmare trying to order exact colours online - sometimes I really struggle with online fabric shopping. I now have a little drawer of mismatched colours in my drawer awaiting some future project. Ho hum...
A quick rethink, and I thought, lets go for a real contrast! And voila. The wedge shaped extra panel is made of  kona cottons, and a sliver of Echino's wonderful cherry fabric. by designer Etsuko Furuya. I liked the idea of half-hiding this ever-so-precious fabric (it took me a couple of nights to contemplate cutting it) so that you simply catch glimpses of it.
I cut the circle skirt, but tweaked it. There's an extra quarter circle panel inserted. This meant the waistline became bigger, so I had to gather it. But I kept all the gathering at the back, to create extra fullness, and a slight bustle effect .
And I also wanted to keep the front of the skirt smooth, so the Echino wouldn't be completely hidden in the fullness. I created a box pleat around the Echino panel, doing my best to bring together the pink and green in a point at the waist. 
Phew... so in the end I made all three versions of the Tinny skirt! Circle, pleated and gathered!
The bodice and skirt are completely lined, but I didn't have enough of the fine pink voile for the skirt lining, so it's made in two different shades of pink, for alternate quarter circles. This is one of those accidents of sewing which  turned out for the best. The two shades create lovely flashes of pink when Missy twirls - which is A LOT. 

I used the Tinny's asymetrical collar but rounded the corners - because I can't pipe round a sharp corner, and placed the pieces so they overlap slightly, a sort of petal collar, I guess.  I cut the bodice shapes a little longer and it's a big on Missy (size 5 on a 3 year old) but that's fine.
Now Missy, Torin and I are all developing a love affair wit h this dress!
If my first Tinny transformed Missy into a princess, this has made her a ballerina...Give us another twirl Missy!
Going...going....



Gone!
 

Now for that giveaway. I have a fat quarter of the Echino turquoise cherry print to giveaway!
To enter the draw simply follow this blog on blogger, bloglovin, or email, or 'like' and share the As it Seams facebook page. Then leave me a comment - either here, or on the facebook page, to let me know that you'd like to enter. If you're already a follower, you can enter too - but leave me a comment below too! (Or on facebook). I'll pick a random winner on Friday August 30. Happy to post anywhere, and I would love to see what the winner does with the fat quarter!

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30 comments

  1. Jenya @ While she was sleeping19 August 2013 at 14:08

    What a gorgeous dress! Love the colours. The detail on the skirt makes it of so fun! No wonder there was dancing going on :)

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    1. Victoria As-it-Seams20 August 2013 at 06:52

      Thanks Jenya, I love the colours too, I wasn't going to be quite so bold, but I couldn't help it, I've got a bit of a thing about blue and pink together!

      Delete
  2. Maria19 August 2013 at 23:57

    I totally love the concept of the dress you made. Also the colours are fantastic, I just can't stop looking the circular skirt and how beautiful looks that pleat and you can see like a waterfall of fabric. Very nice.

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    1. Victoria As-it-Seams20 August 2013 at 06:53

      Thanks so much Maria, lovely to have your support, and I love your description of a waterfall of fabric, that's exctly what I was trying to do. Victoria

      Delete
  3. Deb20 August 2013 at 14:03

    The clever insert in the skirt is beautiful and makes for more 'twirlability'. The last photo of your daughter says it all.
    Nicely done!!

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  4. Marta20 August 2013 at 14:52

    That's a really great dress! I can see why you are all in love with it! I think my daughter Teresa (the girly one) would go crazy with a skirt like that!
    And thank you for the giveaway! That fabric is absolutely gorgeous!(I've "liked" your Facebook page!)

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    Replies
    1. Victoria As-it-Seams24 August 2013 at 02:54

      Thanks Marta, great to have you here, love your blog too, and yes, this has lots of 'girly' appeal!

      Delete
  5. Unknown20 August 2013 at 17:03

    Love your fabric choices and the insert is beautiful!

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    Replies
    1. Victoria As-it-Seams24 August 2013 at 02:51

      Thanks Carin - your 'flipped Tinny' is amazing, so much work, and skill!

      Delete
  6. Unknown20 August 2013 at 19:02

    How fun!! Circle, gathered, and pleated....all in one entry?!?!? Fantastic :).

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    Replies
    1. Victoria As-it-Seams24 August 2013 at 02:51

      Thanks Frances and Suzanne, it is a real 'fun' dress!

      Delete
  7. Anonymous21 August 2013 at 03:23

    Absolutely gorgeous and a brilliant transformation!

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  8. Unknown21 August 2013 at 11:24

    Victoria

    This dress is just beautiful. I love it. I love the panels and the twirl factor. So much fun to see how everyone flips the pattern.

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    Replies
    1. Victoria As-it-Seams24 August 2013 at 02:52

      Yes 'flipping' has been fun!, thanks for your comment Cici!

      Delete
  9. Penya, An apprentice housewife22 August 2013 at 22:24

    The skirt looks very fun. I bet my girl will love it as well! Great flip.

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  10. Ajaire24 August 2013 at 04:52

    This dress is so pretty. The extra panels of fabric in front are great for a little flare when she twirls. I love the simplicity of the bodice mixed with the fancy skirt.

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    1. Victoria As-it-Seams27 August 2013 at 07:32

      Thanks Ajaire, I thought about that carefully, With such an over-the-top skirt, I wanted to keep the lines of the bodice really simple. A couple of friends suggested I should add a bow or sash or something to the top of the pleat, but on balance, I thought keep it simple to really show off the twirl!

      Delete
  11. Pam @Threading My Way24 August 2013 at 07:29

    A beautiful dress, Victoria!!! The insert gives it the all important twirl factor... well done!!!

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  12. Erin24 August 2013 at 14:15

    Following you on bloglovin'. Love the dress!

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  13. Olga Becker @ Coffee+Thread24 August 2013 at 17:41

    Wow! Major twirl factor! Great job!

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  14. Eva25 August 2013 at 02:01

    Love what you are making!! I'm following you on bloglovin'.
    Can't wait to see what you'll be making next :o)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Unknown27 August 2013 at 07:48

    OOOOH love the offset collar and peekaboo birds! Thanks for stopping over at my Hanami Post, I am a NEW follower& really glad you left me a link, i love finding new blogs to follow!!

    Mae
    The Life Of A Compulsive Crafter

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  16. Unknown27 August 2013 at 08:54

    So gorgeous, Victoria! I love the combination of colors and fabrics. What a great flip... I can imagine your daughter is completely in love with the twirly skirt!

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  17. The Literate Stitch27 August 2013 at 20:32

    Lovely dress, definitely made for twirling.
    I've just discovered you through a link from Jenya, waves to Jenya so hopped on over.
    Love your blog and your outfits are gorgeous. I'll be following you on Bloglovin.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Rebecca Holmes28 August 2013 at 13:13

    So cute! I follow you via BL and would love to be entered to win ;)

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete

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Victoria

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