And the winner of "Best Dress 2014" is.....
By Victoria As-it-Seams - 10:29
So I was going to do a 'round-up' of 2014, but this week I'm off work at home with the children and the time is too precious to spend sitting fiddling with photos in front of the computer. Except I couldn't resist these two, because they remind me of summer days, and nights.
Instead I thought I'd pick my favourite from the year. And it turns out to be not one, but two dresses. Both have been absolute Sewing Hits. When either Missy or I wear our versions, random strangers stop me in the street to ask where they're from. I have never, ever felt so smug saying "I made it!" And Missy's has been a cross-season, wearable dress over T-shirts, and to party's or the park. Mine, on the other hand, is a bit of a 'statement'.
I sewed these two for a lovely series, You and Me hosted by Jenya at While She Was Sleeping, and coincidentally, I don't think I've blogged about them over here yet. So I'm reproducing the un-edited post from the summer.
Hi, I'm Victoria, and I think perhaps I'm slightly insane...
Yep, For
Jenya's series,I've gone matchy matchy...and I'm really hoping that this
is on the right side of the fine line that is 'wearable'.
When Jenya
contacted me to take part in her You and Me series, I knew immediately
what I would sew. I already had this project in the pipeline.
Missy is such a funny companion. She’s full of
personality, (almost) always happy, and is not very ‘girly’.
She never asks for pink and would rather be a pirate than a princess.
Me on the other hand....
I live in dresses. Sometimes when I can’t sleep, I
try and count the dresses hanging in my wardrobe, (or tucked away
under my bed...or in the attic cupboard...or...then I fall asleep.)
I wear dresses to work, to the park, gardening,
walking in the woods near our house.
Also Missy and I (and my son and Mr As it Seams)
spend our summers outdoors, camping and being sociable.
Mr As it Seams is a musician and we’re often at summer music
festivals - where I love to dress up a bit.
And I’ve been thinking about my sewing
addiction. It isn’t really about making clothes for Missy. What I really love is
transforming wonderful fabric.
So how about if I used some of the fabric I love for me, as well as Missy?
Could I , almost four decades older than my little girl, wear some Michael Miller print too?
When my brother flew back from New York he brought me
an extra couple of yards of this Park Landscape print.. (Oh how jealous I
am of my American friends where fabrics are half the price).
It looks so like the English gardens and countryside where I live.
I make no claims of originality with Missy’s
dress. This is purely and simply copied from Straight Grain’s birthday
Hanami dress. I’ve done this pattern soooo many times, it was an easy
sew. The only modification was some purple piping
at the waist.
In contrast to Missy’s dress, mine was a massive headache...with Challenge # 1 - The Fit.
I haven’t sewn for myself since I was a teenager. Doing this I remembered why.
I started modifying this ancient McCalls pattern. Big mistake.
I wanted to keep seaming on the bodice to a
minimum to avoid messing with the print. But I also wanted a flared
skirt. So I added a half circle skirt to this straight up and down shift
pattern. I wish my Maths teachers could see their geometry in action! I ignored the pattern instructions and sewed an invisible zip, Hanami style.
I also created a v-back neckline - in hindsight I wish I’d cut this lower.
But I’m pleased with the invisible zip - especially Missy’s. Look the pattern matches across her back!
The fit on my dress was a nightmare - way too big. I
started fiddling with darts and lifted the shoulder seams. I forgot that
this would make the arm holes smaller, and the result it puffed
sleeves, which I didn’t intend!
After this post is published, I’m going to set to work with my seamripper on those sleeves.
Then there was Challenge # 2 - The Photo Shoot.
For this I had to rely on Mr As it Seams...And find a
gap in our summer/camping/working schedule. And face his lack of camera
skills and enthusiasm.
Originally, I wanted to take pictures in a suitable setting, a
park or meadow. Not Possible, for all the reasons
above. And I suspect these dresses would 'disappear' in the English
landscapes.
So it’s back to the old garage door. And when I
edited the photos, there were none of Missy looking her best AND me
looking half decent. I decided to go with the ones I like of me - there
are more than enough in the blogosphere of Missy
already.
What do you think? Do I look like I’m wearing a curtain? Or is this the right side of funky!? I don't think we'll wear them together often, but Missy of course LOVED it.
Her verdict...
“Mummy I can be Little Princess and you can be Big Princess!”
And for that alone, the seamripping was worth it.
Posts
5 comments
This dress is a true winner, it looks gorgeous on both of you!
ReplyDeleteYou two are princesses indeed :)
ReplyDeleteHow adorable are you! Love it!
ReplyDeleteYour matching dresses are so adorable - that fabric is to die for!! You did a fantastic job.
ReplyDeletePauline
perry94022 at hotmail dot com
I appreciated your work very thanks
ReplyDeleteCocktail Party Dresses
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I love hearing from you, and try to reply as often as I can, either here or by email. All views, tips, gratefully received...
Victoria