Hi everyone! This is my first self drafted dress using my own self drafted sloper! How cool is that! It also happens to be my entry for Sew Dolly Clackett because a) the fabric! and b) the silhouette.
I drafted the bodice using my measurements and a pattern drafting book. After having a few hiccups and finding my bust size in the age 12 part of the childrens section, getting over the humiliation of that and guessing a few measurements it went okay. Ish. In my first muslin I took out about 2.5cm out of the centre front and a good 2cm out of each side and a wedge out of each shoulder. Hmm, I'm guessing that guessing measurements wasn't the best idea, but I got there in the end!
Now I think I've got the bodice pretty much where I want it to be which is fab. The bust darts are a tad too high though so I'll alter that for the next version (because of course there's going to be a next version). The skirt is a half circle skirt which was calculated as usual via By Hand Londons app. Would you believe that I don't have a petticoat on underneath there? It is a tad short for my liking but I only had 1m and a bit to squeeze the whole thing out of.
The fabric was one of the fantastic birthday presents from my friends (as well as other fabric, my own sewing labels, and for Christmas a vintage Singer, they are just THE BEST). I am a huge huge fan of penguins, a tad less enthusiastic about sport, but hey, this fabric is AWESOME! It's quite a stiff cotton which holds the shape of the skirt fantastically.
The neckline, armholes and hem were all finished with varying colours and widths of bias binding and there's a white invisible zip inserted down the side.
Despite many family members going, "Are you going to wear that, outside?" I obviously am. With pride.
Thanks very much to Sarah for hosting this amazing event, and congratulations to Roisin and Nic!
Thanks so much for reading and to Ed for taking beautiful pics!
Lauren xx
