Hello!
I have made a very special dress lately… actually I am super busy at the moment sewing up Christmas goodies but I have deviously made sure I always have something on the go for myself at the same time too, hehehe. And I knew I wanted to devote some of my time to making something from this deliciously cheerful and sunny dandelion fabric sent to me by my dear friend Lisa, of Lisa’s Carolina. Thank you so much Lisa!
Lisa has also made something for herself in it too.. . a Lotta Jansdotter Pilvi jacket. I really loved how she bound her seams inside using a yellow gingham, and I shamelessly took a leaf from her book and used small-scale yellow gingham for the facings and bindings inside my dress too. Thank you for this super pretty inspiration, Lisa!
armhole edge
skirt facing and pocket binding. and hemline binding. gingham galore, in fact…
For my piece, I decided to make the Wings dress, which is the cover dress of Burdastyle 04/2014; pattern 108. I’ve previously made this pattern up once, here; and that is one of my favourite dresses to wear, so I wanted to make another one for this summer.
I very much like this style of simple, fitted little flared dress, the “wings” have lovely roomy pockets in them which is just the most perfect arrangement!! and I juuuuuust managed to squeeze my pattern pieces onto the piece! though doing this took a little bit of placement magic… Like I mentioned in my initial review of the pattern it is quite boxy in the bodice so I slimmed down the bodice by about 3cm from the centre, and also by shaving off some width from the princess seams at the waist…. the design is more slim-fitting up top now but is has plenty of wearing ease enough for me, I think.
Also, I forgot to mention this the first time I made the dress, in which I did this exact same thing, but in order to avoid having visible topstitching on the “wings” that outline where the pockets are inside, I interlined the pockets with a light, white cotton voile. The back part of the pocket, that you see inside when the wings flap open, is the self-fabric.
This little strip of gingham inside the pockets was put there by my mistake understanding the pocket construction … but then I left it in place because I think it’s kind of cute 🙂
Details:
Dress; Burdastyle 04/2014;108 slightly modified, in a slubby woven cotton, slightly spongy and wholly delicious
Shoes; made by me, details here
Clara is such a lovely addition to our family, so fun and full of life and love and doing very well. And growing up fast. I can even take her for walks now without having my arm pulled from its socket
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Gorgeous dress and such a lovely gift of fabric. Bonus points for matching dog!
thanks so much Lesley! 🙂
I noticed straight away that Clara is getting so big! She’s obviously thriving and seems very happy…up for the task of upstaging you in photos when she can , LOL.
Not today though…You look so sunny and cheery…I mean yellow gingham and a dandelion print!! Fresh! A lovely make!
thank you Sue! yes, I’m very accustomed to being upstaged by my dog, she’s super photogenic 🙂
Beautiful fabric combination! NIce to see a bit of sun seeping into my blogroll, makes me dream of spring already. Best wishes from the other side!
thank you Michele! yes we’re so happy summer is here! it’s been a pretty cold spring up until now
Gorgeous! Lovely details and perfect for summer
thanks Sarah! xx
You look great. I never got to your level dress making.
Happy Creating
thank you Donna! Dresses are fun to make, and there are so many patterns, everything from very easy right up to advanced… there’s bound to be a pattern to suit you 🙂
I have to tell you I anxiously await every day for a post and let me tell you it was well worth the wait. Beautiful dress, I am so glad to have found your blog. I have to say the skills that you have for sewing is amazing I learn something new every time I read a post. You are one of my sewing “idols”. It is complete artistry to see one of your creations. I wish you would do a video showing how to make a garment from beginning to end so I can learn some of your techniques, I would pay to watch..Thanks for sharing your beautiful dress,and your puppy too. Cheri from Washington state.
aw, thank you! that’s so very nice of you to say Cheri! and needless to say you’ve made my day! Hmmm, a video showing a dress from “go” to “whoa” that would be interesting… you’ve given me some food for thought… maybe I will, one of these days! Thank you! xx 🙂
It’s raining and gloomy here and your dress is so sunshine-y. Love it I might have to try that pattern.
thank you Beth! I’m glad I could give a bit of sunshine to my Sunny Gal friend!
Pretty dress. I love the cheerful sunny fabric with the addition of the gingham details. Beautiful dog!
thank you very much Tomasa! 🙂
beautiful dress! Reminds me of sunny summer day.
thank you very much! 🙂
What a lovely dress, and a beautiful sentiment of you and Lisa working on the same fabric, passed across the globe between friends.
thank you Diane! It’s been fun, swapping fabrics, and I’ve really loved seeing what Lisa makes with her pieces 🙂
Your Lisa dress is so cheerful, it makes me smile. Lisas jacket is beautiful and you were right copying the finish with the yellow gingham. Right now we have gotten cold and foggy November weather and your bright pictures are sending summer sunbeams! Lisa and your sewing pairings are enjoyable.
thank you very much SaSa! that’s so sweet of you to say, and I’m so glad it made you smile 🙂
Clara’s almost grown up now! No more blurry puppy.
Great sunshiny dress. Well done. And yellow sets off Miss Salt-and-Pepper to perfection.
thank you! Miss Salt and Pepper, that’s perfect! You’re so clever, I’m going to have to borrow your phrase because it’s just right for her, and her temperament too! 😉
Oh I love it – great design and the fabric looks lovely quality and texture ;o)
thank you very much colette! 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous fabric and a beautiful dress. Well done.
thank you Judy! 🙂
I love every single thing about this dress. The gingham bias is as beautiful on your dress as it is on Lisa’s jacket. Clara is looking stunning too!
thank you so much Sue! xx 🙂
That is a super pretty dress. It always cheers me up having you looking all summery on my blog feed when we are in the depths of a UK November. Jo x
thank you Jo! We are pretty happy to have summery weather here at last too, it’s been a pretty dismal spring so far I hope your winter is kind to you! 🙂