I love so many things about this pattern from my sponsor ZipZapKap: the pinafore styling, the ruffles, the sweetheart neckline, the pockets, the fact that it's a generous bust 36". I'm giving you ample time to go buy it before I do. Ready? Your time starts . . . now!I've been dreaming of house dresses ever since our lovely discussion on the subject last week. I even bought some perfect fabric! Want to see? Pics after the jump!
Isn't this cute? I first thought they were little blue apples, but I suppose they're really flowers. In any case - very retro, no?
I'm especially excited to play with the grain on this fabric. I'm going to use the rows of apples as stripes, creating a chevron look, like in the lefthand view below.
But before I dive in, I'm going to stitch up my next muslin for the background dress, which has me feeling very demoralized. Sigh . . . I'm definitely going to need some advice from you fitting geniuses! More to come.
Love your blue fabric! It looks like apples to me, too, so I think you should go ahead and call it your "blue apples" dress. Hope you have a breakthrough on the background dress soon, and can recapture the excitement of seeing something new come together.
ReplyDeleteI just discovered your blog! I write one too but have only started recently... am planning on putting up more like this though as I like making stuff too, but am not so good at documenting it. Take a look if you like though! http://stylewilderness.blogspot.com/2010/04/girlz-in-hood.html
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to more loveliness from you!
Gertie, have you sewn ruffles before?
ReplyDeleteI mean, ruffles are usually on more little-girl stuff rather than your more tailored creations. I'm sure you probably know this trick, but... When you're gathering for ruffles (or anything else for that matter) don't just use the basting stitch length on your machine. Loosen the top tension, too. (You do have to be sure to secure one end, or all the stitching will easily pull out.) It makes the gathering a lot easier than if you don't....
I agree, they definitely look like apples. It's a beautiful fabric either way.
ReplyDeleteThat blue fabric is great.
ReplyDeleteLove the fabric and it should be a knockout with that pattern!
ReplyDeleteLaura's comment about ruffles and little girls reminds me of various discussions I've read about 'when does one become too old to wear a certain look?'. To an extent, I think it's less about age than being able to work the look. It's not one I could ever pull off, even when I was 10-15 years younger - which is so disappointing as there are so many cute 40s patterns with ruffles...
Too, too fun! That fabric is so pretty; I do love those simple, retro style cotton prints! Funnily enough: I just made a 40s pinafore dress from a pattern that is very similar to the one you featured ('cept my dress is sleeveless and it was a mail order pattern).
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your housedress! :)
♥ Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com
That fabric is lovely, can't wait to see the final product. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteApples? Aren't those blueberrys?
ReplyDeletehurrah for housedresses! I actually just scored a pattern in a super-cheap mystery box on eBay that is almost identical to the one shown at the top of your post, along with a whole bunch of other house dress patterns. The funny thing about the pattern I got is that it is labeled "maternity OR housedress" because it's adjustable with a belt.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your fabric choice!!! The dress will be stunning!
ReplyDeleteThat fabric is great! can't wait to see the finished article!
ReplyDeletePretty blue-apple fabric - so sweet and demure! Can't wait to see your housedress, complete with ruffles.
ReplyDelete