A Peach Sundress + My 100th Blog Post!

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Well, whatta ya know? It’s my 100th blog post! So here I am celebrating that milestone in a new dress in Brooklyn! And when I’m posing in a new dress on cobblestone streets with old trolley line rails, a 19th century brick warehouse, and the grand ol’ gal herself, the Brooklyn Bridge, you know I am one happy camper.

PATTERNS. I combined the bodice from B5486 and the skirt from the Sewaholic Lonsdale to create a sundress just right for a humid New York summer (although it’s been pretty cool around these parts lately, what gives?). When it does get humid around here I definitely prefer sleeveless tops/dresses, so this dress will come in handy. I also love that the design can be paired with a cardigan, so depending on fabric choice this could easily transition into spring and/or fall. Heck, perhaps even winter!

I’ve had B5486 in my stash for a few years now, and I’d like to make the full version one of these days. It comes with a gathered skirt with an option for knee or maxi length. You can also add a waist tie. I used the bodice of view A and modified the neckline from v-neck to scoop, which is much more wearable for me as an office dress. I made a muslin of the v-neck and I think I’d have to do an FBA to give myself more coverage.

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The Music of the Night Dress

Hello! A busy and rainy week delayed me in finishing this dress, but it finally happened and I’m very happy with it! This is my Music of the Night Dress, which was made using the fantastic Lonsdale Dress from Sewaholic Patterns. I’ve loved all of Tasia’s versions, and knew I wanted to make it when she first sent out the announcement in her e-newsletter. She loves fitted bodices and full skirts (like me!); I can’t wait to see her future designs.

…The Basics…

  • Pattern: Lonsdale Dress from Sewaholic Patterns (2011)
  • Fabric: 3.5 yards of thrifted black and beige poly/silk (?); cotton underlining for the skirt
  • Notions: stay tape at the front bodice neckline; fusible woven interfacing at the waistband, black 16″ zipper trimmed down to about 13″; black hem tape at inner hem.
  • **Time in Stash: only a few months for both pattern and fabric!

**I’m trying to use as much of my fabric/pattern stash as possible these next few months; I’ve even set a personal goal to make at least 5 items before I’m allowed to purchase more (unless it’s fabric for a project for another person, though I have to admit I’d like to keep those to an absolute minimum!).

Work in Progress: Lonsdale Dress!

Hi everyone! Just wanted to say I am sewing these days – the Lonsdale Dress from Sewaholic Patterns, to be exact. I’ve cut out all the pieces and have sewn the bodice together. It feels so good to be sewing again! 2011 has been a really tough year personally, but I am all focused on happier things now (such as patterns and fabric in my stash just waiting to be tackled!).

Here’s my dress preview. Please excuse the not-so-great photo taken with the flash late at night. Also visible is a cute mini dress form pincushion my aunt recently gave me! I love, love, love it!

And, yes, I’m very, very sad not to be able to attend the Sew Weekly extravaganza in NYC at the end of the month. Mena, Meg the Grand, Debi and Oonaballoona all in one day, how cool is that going to be!?!?!

Quel dommage, indeed!