Sunday 3 August 2014

The Birthday dress, a pattern mash-up





Hello everybody!

This Sunday marks the end of my summer holidays of 2014. A grey and gloomy day, after weeks of sun and heat. Actually, it feels quite nice, and the air is fresh after the showers.

Since August is the Big Birthday month here at Pinhouse, what is more appropriate than dresses?
My own birthday is the 5th, a tuesday and I'll be at work all evening, so no dress wearing that day.
So let's celebrate it today with this new creation of mine :)

This is a pattern mash up of Simplicity #5780, which I used for my Floral frock, and the bottom half of Simplicity #3422.


I am sooo gonna make that #3422 (view 2) one day!
Gorgeous!



I made this dress mostly to try out some techniques new to me. This is my first lined dress bodice, my first time pleating a skirt, and first time making a dirndl skirt. I was unsure if I would like the silhouette, but I think I can honestly say "Me luuurvs it!!" The fabric is some sort of cotton blend satin thingy, a remnant bin find, so I figured I could afford to mess it up. Only I didn't!


A narrow red belt would be rockin'!



The #5780 bodice was cut with no alterations this time. I was so surprised last time that it came out big, despite being a size smaller than I am, so I took a gamble. I faced it this time around, and lined it too. The armscyes could be a bit deeper, I see some bunching/pulling in the back. But it is not uncomfortable at all, just not the perfect fit.


Little bit of pulling, but I can live with that :)
The pattern matching went out the window aswell.
Also ok :)




The skirt didn't really need a pattern as it's just a big rectangle (actually three...) that is gathered at the waist. I had to piece together some fabric to make this skirt happen, as the remnant fabric came in two pieces of nearly 1.5 yards each. I think it came out great, you can hardly see the seams. I opted for pleats around the waist, instead of gathers, as I think it looks tidier. It took some doing and redoing to get it right, but it was well worth the practise:)



Pouf-less pouch!



I made a flat section in front, to not add any poof to my stomach, and next time I do this I will have more pleats at the sides/on the hips, because I can see this is a perfect way to give me some shape (having a narrow hip and a flat bum). This is what is so great with making ones own clothes, instead of letting "bodily shortcomings" get you down, you can add design elements that helps you create the shape you want, and make you feel good in your own skin.












So, who else has a birthday at Pinhouse, you ask? Well, the blog it self!! Yes, my humble corner of the web is soon to be one year old! I can hardly believe it! I must say I had my doubts as to whether I would keep it up, but it has been so rewarding and fun, not to mention you lovely people who bother with coming over to see what I've been up to. I appreciate every single one of your pageviews and comments, they make my day! And I also love to visit your small corners too, and be inspired! Keep it up!






In the event of the Blogaversary, I will host a little give-away to say thank you! So stay tuned for that :)






31 comments:

  1. Such a cute summer dress! Love the fabric! I really like the pleats of the skirt. And once again, I love your curls!

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    1. Thank you so much! After your last comment I have made more of an effort having better hair ;) It's rather nice!

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  2. That's such a lovely dress! Very cool and summery and elegant. And as you say, it's great to be able to adapt your patterns to be the most flattering! Did you see Laura Mae's Lilac & Lace post on undergarments and false silhouettes?

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    1. Thanks, Beá! Yes, I saw Laura's post, it was very good. I am currently planning to sew some dresses that will require a corset and petticoats. Love those exaggerated looks! Underpinnings is a topic most have long forgotten, sadly. But we do enjoy more comfort these days, more or less at the expense of style.

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  3. Lovely dress! August is a big month in my home as well, containing my and my husband birthdays AND our anniversary.

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  4. Ohhh, sooo ... tomorrow is your birthday! Happy birthday, sweet lady!
      And now, let me say that you sewed a wonderful dress, I'm totally in love with that dress, I hope you wear it next weekend and be a queen. Perhaps you would like to link this post to "Share in Style" on my blog today ... the theme is "Flowers". Have a wonderful week, dear friend!

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    1. Thank you so much, Rosy!
      I added my link, a first time for that :) And amongst all those other wonderful makes!

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    2. Thank you, dear lady!! Of course, I hope you for future editions of Share in Style. Perhaps you would like to be my partner in any of those editions ... that would be an honor for me

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  5. I love your dress Siri, very similar style to the infamous Emery! I really like your pleats and pouf-less pouch, I think I'll try this should I make another 'E'.
    My blog is a year old too! I've really enjoyed doing mine as well:-)
    Have a lovely birthday Siri! :-D

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    1. Thank you so much for the birthday wishes!
      Well, I guess it is a bit like the Emery, sans sleeves and collar :) I love the skirt on this dress, I can't believe I haven't tried it before, dirndl skirts are a breeze to hem!! Next time, I'll make it even fuller :)

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  6. Happy Birthday! Trevlig födelsegag! (Sorry, bad Swedish because my iPad doesn't have Norwegian letters...). That's a really lovely dress.

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    1. Thank you so much Tiina:) Don't worry about the Swedish, it is practically the same as Norwegian ;)

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  7. Congrats on the blogiversary! And happy birthday tomorrow :) Your dress looks beautiful and what a great way to learn new techniques. Sometimes I think when we set out to try something we stress less and don't expect perfection - and the garment turns out great in the end!!

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    1. Thanks Kristin!
      You are absolutely right, I went into this with no great expectations, it was stress free (and also my fastest make! What??) and I enjoyed the process. The end result; better than I would have thought:)

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  8. Lovely dress and Happy Birthday
    Thank you so much for joining the Share-in-Style family
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  9. Happy Birthday and Happy Blog Birthday! your dress is amazing, I do admire you - I'm a novice with a hand crank machine (which is perfect as we are as slow as each other!) love your hair too!

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    1. Thank you so much, Peaches :)
      You'll be churning out garments like nobodies business in no time! I used to be really slow too, but taking ones time is really a good thing:)
      Happy sewing!

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  10. You seam like such a cool person. Sew glad I stumbled upon your blog.

    Cheers,

    Lyric
    http://www.sewcroandquilt.wordpress.com

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    1. Thank you, what a nice comment :)
      I am really glad to have you over too!

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  11. Gosh this is a gorgeous dress, and I love that it is floral but monochrome, so different!

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  12. Happy birthday! And what a gorgeous dress that is to celebrate in! I think it's a really lovely marriage of fabric and design :)

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    1. Thanks Danielle :) Now I feel like making a little petticoat for this dress. I didn't think I would like it as much as I do. It will get lots of wear:)

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  13. Hi ! I am new to your site. I remember my mom using Simplicity patterns. I did not get the skill of sewing. The dress you made is lovely! Love the style and pattern. Your hair is lovely as well
    jess
    please stop by
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com/

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    1. Thank you Jessica, and welcome to my place :) I don't think skill is something you have to have naturally, it is something you can acquire anytime. Give sewing a go (if you want it), it is so rewarding! I am sure you can do it. Afterall, it's in your genes, right? ;)

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  14. This is lovely, and your choice of fabric is excellent for this design. Perfect. Happy birthday too.

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