Here we are at the start of a new year, and the first thing I've sewn is something for myself.
It's not really my intention to sew clothes for myself. I have a wardrobe full of lovely, too small clothes that don't get worn but are too good to throw out. I do not want to come to terms with this body shape, but in the meantime, for the sake of decency, I need to dress it.
But even that's not the real, honest truth. The truth is that I bought this fabric cause I liked it. I knew full well that neither of my kids would ever wear it, but I bought it nonetheless. So, putting aside the idea of a cushion cover (I know, it would be perfect for a cushion cover, I agree!) someone would have to wear the fabric and that would have to be me.
I was also thinking that I had the Diplomat dress fit right and it would be wasteful not to use that carefully twice drafted and adjusted pattern one more time.
This time I made the sleeveless, shorter view and I think I finally nailed the zipper!. I added length to the hem but not as much as I'd have liked as I was working with a remnant and used every last scrap to get this much dress out of it.
The fabric is undoubtedly linen, but since it's a remnant that's still a guess, and it behaved beautifully at the armhole facings and the zipper. It's quite a heavy weight fabric and is probably intended for cushion covers after all. I'm not really a florals kind of person and the printed flowers and the furnishing weight were making me think of a grandmother's sofa.
The colour, on the other hand, is very me. I think it's best described as "unwashed camel".
So now that you've got the mental picture of the inter-breeding of a sweaty ship of the desert and a settee, a picture of me wearing the dress will seem like welcome relief.
We certainly haven't had the hot summer weather that I was imagining when I cut this dress and it was far too chilly to wear it like this for more than a minute or two. That's OK by me, cause there's not enough dress there for me to feel really comfortable in it, and, in leaving the sleeves off it just doesn't quite sit right around my upper chest. I think I'm finished with the pattern now though and I don't imagine I'll be bothered to try changing it again.
Instead I just wore a cardi all day and felt great about everything!
I think the dress looks so lovely on you! The length is great and so is the color. : )
ReplyDeletethanks you Sharon. I do love the colour but I've always thought the good bits of my legs are below the knees!
DeleteThe dress is beautiful and you look fabulous in it.
ReplyDeleteYou're very kind. thank you (blushing and curtseying)
Delete" I have a wardrobe full of lovely, too small clothes that don't get worn but are too good to throw out. I do not want to come to terms with this body shape, but in the meantime, for the sake of decency, I need to dress it." These words taken directly from my brain, if not my mouth.
ReplyDeleteOK, let's get on with it and sew those Yamamoto capes and feel glamorous everyday! It's either that or a whole lot of diet and exercise. Pooh to that, let's sew! :)
DeleteOr have daughters.... they are wearing my tiny but too pricey to toss stuff.
Delete(But I have storage room)
I love it with the cardy.
I think it looks lovely! I like it with the cardigan :) One of these days, I'll get up the gumption to sew for myself.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I tried it with a belt and that kind of works too. It needs something to break up the large hessian sack-ness of the colour, and the pattern does have a tendency to be sack-like too (in a very comfy way, mind you). If you approach it like I have with cheap remnant fabrics and a devil-may-care (if I never wear it) attitude sewing for yourself can be fun. Or at least an interesting and not too costly exercise in failure. :)
DeleteDid you sew the cardigan? It's cute too and really finishes the look! I'll be honest, I've seen this pattern a dozen times and always passed it by, but it sews up pretty cute :) I might have to grab it next time I'm at the fabric stor.
ReplyDeleteI didn't sew the cardigan (it was a maternity hand me down from a friend) but I admit I was looking at how it was constructed thinking maybe I could have made it. The sleeves are simple kimono style. the tricky part would be finishing those knit hems nicely so that both sides look presentable where it ties. There is a similar garment that I've seen Rachel from Once Upon A Sewing Machine make and another one that Sanae made. I might be tempted come autumn.
Deletethe pattern is nice. For me I just needed to see past the patterned quilting cotton on the packet (not for me)
I think you did a wonderful job! So agree with with what Sarvi said as well :) I think I uttered almost those words exactly a couple months ago.
ReplyDeleteThank you. The challenge is in turning a vague wish to be fitter into the burning desire that I need to actually make any real changes. Hmmmm. I should see if I can hook up my sewing machine to the windtrainer. If I pedal powered my sewing machine I'd be as fit as can be!
DeleteI really like the dress, but you did make me laugh with the above quoted text ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am never sure abut the sleeveless look on myself either - but sleeveless works really well under a cardi, huh?
Better than scrunchy sleeves under a cardi! Thanks for the lovely comment Justine
DeleteI think this looks beautiful on you! I love it paired with the wrap cardigan - and who doesn't love a little extra coziness when there's still a chill in the air? Lovely job, and great beginning to the new year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lucinda. I wore it to take the kids to the theatre today and all three of us were handmade and presentable! Score!
DeleteYou rock that unwashed camel, McStitch! It looks great, and definitely doesn't require cardigan coverup.
ReplyDeleteTHanks. It is a bit chilly but that's our city's weather, huh! Back when I had taut upper arms I had a permanent cycle jersey tan line. Now at least my bigger arms are one colour, albeit alarmingly white. C'est la vie!
Delete"Unwashed camel"!! Too funny. I think the dress looks fab on you and I'm betting that the heavier linen gives the dress a nice structure. Love it with the cardi too!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the colour and texture of camel but thankfully the smell is all my own!
DeleteI think the dress looks great on you...both with and with out the cardigan!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, it's fantastic on you! I bought this pattern so long ago...I need to get around to sewing it. Especially since I'm hoping to sew much more from my "stash" this year.
ReplyDeleteYou look so cute! I love the cut of this dress - super flattering.
ReplyDelete