Sunday, July 28, 2013

See Emily play

Oh my how the past 2 weeks have flown! So many things keeping one occupied and exhausted but I always make the time to sew!

I have made 2 dresses recently, but I only have one edited and ready for show today

Stockings from Modcloth, Shoes - opp shopped 


This particular dress was made from a lovely pink/peach print I ordered from Spoonflower.


Straight out of an 1883 dream and plunked into 2013 kicking, screaming, and reaching up for the sun, comes this fine scale retro Victorian paisley in shades of salmon and coco. There is no white in this version. The areas that appear white are more creamy.
You get ultra fine scale stripes, twists, and bubbles, buds, and dots, hearts, and twists galore. The feeling is Victorian, but all the elements are actually modern. No actual Victorian artist really used anything in this.
The designer is Edsel2084 and her designs focus mainly on Victorian and Arts and Crafts style designs. All of her intricate and highly detailed designs are hand drawn as a larger drawing, and a small segment is scanned, cropped, tessellated and multiple colour ways are made before being uploaded. Edsel has over 4000 designs which completely blow my mind every time I check her page. The descriptions for each design stand between truth and fantasy. Some evoking Alice in Wonderland type dreams and some taking you to the library of William Morris himself



The pattern I used for this dress was McCalls 8917 from 1967. A teen dress in 3 different versions – all featuring an inverted pleat at the front, with a choice of collar, buttoned yoke or long bishop sleeves.

 

I chose the collared version with short sleeves. Initially I had the long sleeve option set, but they were too short and the pale colour of the design didn't suit the long sleeves and high neck. It’s now more a spring dress than winter.



I also had some trouble with my machine – the top stitch was pulling as it fed through and I ended up with the tension on the front pleat a little too tight – if you look really hard at the seam on the pleat, it kind curls out at the end. This is because once you've sewn something with the wrong tension; it can be really hard to straighten even with an iron - unless you undo the stitches which I obviously wasn't bothered to do.


Poor Dolly – she’s not doing too well lately, so she’s currently at the repairman’s. I’m currently using my boyfriend’s sister’s machine while she’s off gallivanting around the world – thanks Nicole!


Yes, the pattern center doesn't line up with the pleat. Poo poo
Otherwise the dress is lovely and I think will be really nice to wear in the warmer weather instead of right now in Winter, so I will put it away for a few months.
I try to sew for the season I am in, so that I can wear things straight away, but alas – not this time!

A little highlight of this weekend was picking up this 70s modular plastic picnic kit at the local church opp shop for $1.50! It has all its pieces except for one small bowl and 1 knife. I love a good picnic and have built up a little kit over the years for BBQs and such. I can’t wait to set up a picnic spread with this bright orange kit!

How nifty is it that it all packs up neatly into its little basket?
Did you have any luck with opp shops this weekend? Or did you get to achieve something that you’ve been too busy to accomplish in the week?

Take care!
Cat xo

20 comments:

  1. You're a vision and a dream in that dress, dear Cat! I think it's a marvelous idea to span a century, using a Victorian era print and sewing it into a teen dress from the Sensational Sixties. I love the salmon, coco and cream color combo. And that picnic kit is a wonderful find! Spring will soon be coming to your part of the world and I hope you'll take pictures when you go on a picnic wearing this fabulous sleeveless creation.

    Good night to you, dear friend Catherine!

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    1. Oh why thank you! I was a little unsure of the pale colours, but im glad i tried and it worked well, I'm glad you like it and recognize the combination of Victorian and 60's.
      Only 4 weeks to spring - my jasmine vine has already started to bud!

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  2. Oh this is such a lovely dress, I've yet to order any fabric from Spoonflower I'm always moaning that I can never find any fabric that I like yet I always forget to look on there. Your little picnic set was such a great find, I just love the bright orange colour! x

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    1. I turned to spoonflower for the same reason! I recommend using the cotton sateen - it has the widest width and therefore you can buy the least length. and definitely order the swatch booklet so you can feel the fabrics and get an idea of the hand

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  3. This dress is like I dream! This could very possibly be my most favourite of your recent creations. Love the fabric, dress pattern and the silver white hair. I'm definitely borrowing this dress pattern when I return. Also take good care of my baby sewing machine, she was sounding a little ill herself before I left (I have yet to name her *gasp*). Ciao bella!

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    1. Oh don't worry i will! Shes so much more well behaved then mine and quiet! except no needle threader... that's just not acceptable! ;p

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    2. She's perfect on my eyes :)

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  4. How gorgeous! I want a mini version for my daughter :)

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    1. thanks! it is a bit like a little girls dress isnt it? Which is why i chose the name for it

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  5. Wow, I love it! And the fabric print is marvellous. Also that picnic kit is so nifty-seems a much better idea than the huge bag we have

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    1. Thanks Anneka! I I've been trying to figure out what all the pieces could be used for - like a platter, salad bowl and maybe a bread basket?

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  6. This is potentially the cutest dress I have ever seen!

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  7. Cute dress you've made, I adore the collar! Is Dolly the name of your sewing machine? Fantastic! And what an incredible find in regards to the picnic set. You should certainly show it being put to use. xx

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    1. Thank you Lucy! The collar is my favourite part. Dolly was named after my crafty nanna - Lucy Dolores, but everyone called her Dolly for short.
      Once the weather warms ill definitely take a photo of it in use! xo

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  8. That dress looks incredibly cute, the collar is just the nicest touch! And the fabric is such an amazing pattern/colour, I really love your taste! xx

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    1. Thank you! The print designer has an amazing selection. You should check her stuff out!

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  9. Amazing dress! I honestly wouldn't think much if I saw the pattern (probably because of the colours) but seeing yours I just really want one! It looks beautiful and the pattern's amazing!
    Also your picnic set is really sweet, show us once you're using it! Did you get your book already? Let me know how you're finding it once you start reading! xxx

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    1. Oops i missed this!
      Thank you for your comment! This pattern comes in many colour ways - I'm not sure what drew me to this one.

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