April 14, 2013

Sew: Vogue 8787 for SewcieTea

 


Today I spent the afternoon sipping champagne, drinking coffee and eating lots of yummy things. It was SewcieTea!! And it was fabulous. Thanks the Melanie, aka Seamstress Poppykettle, for organising.

I had planned to purchase a new pair of nude pumps to complete this outfit but considering I am supposed to be wearing sneakers due to my broken foot, ballet flats was a good compromise. 



I did manage to finish my dress. With 2 whole days spare! I made Vogue 8787 again in a wool blend floral print I picked up at the August Sewing Meet Up at Tessuti. I made the cowl version this time with the capped sleeves again. The first version of this dress was not a success. The black ponti knit was too thick for the style and I made it too big. I went down a size in the bodice but kept the same size in the skirt and waistband.  Love the dress but do NOT like the sleeves. I cannot move my arms in this dress and had to drive to SewcieTea with my dress fully unzipped.

 
 
I will make this pattern again, without the sleeves, in a red wool crepe from the Alannah Hill outlet. I love the cowl neck and classic style of the dress.
 
I took a few photos of the dress on Florence as I really gain a lot from studying photos of dresses on the internet. Amanda's Adventures in Dressmaking in particular is a great resource. 
 
 







 

Project Details
Pattern: Vogue 8787, view D, size 16-18
Fabric: Wool blend floral remnant from Tessuti Melbourne & goldliner lining from Clegs
Alterations: Size 16 bodice graded to a size 18 waistband and skirt in addition to a swayback adjustment (2cm above and below the waistband)

I couldn't find the right shade of green for the lining and had to settle for an olive green instead of a bottle green. A minor detail, but it drives me nuts!




I didn't follow the instructions for finishing the armholes. The instructions have you stay stitch the armholes, then clip and turn in before hand stitching. I find this method tedious and not very durable. I opted to finish the armholes with bias binding instead.




The fabric is lovely and not something I would normally wear so I thought it would be a good occasion to use it. A high tea surrounded by lovely people who talk in pattern numbers was the perfect occasion!

A few happy snaps from SewcieTea.


My friend Siobhan & I
Lara (Thornberry), Anna (Blogless Anna), Rachel (Boo Dogg & Me) & I
 
The gorgeous spread at The Gables
 
Thanks again to Melanie for organising. I had a fabulous time and hope we can do it again soon.

L x

12 comments:

  1. I didn't know you couldn't lift your arms! It's gorgeous anyway :)

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  2. It was (and still is) a gorgeous dress! Love the shots of the insides :) Poo about the sleeves but. Thanks for coming - such fun!

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  3. I didn't know that you couldn't lift your arms either! I loved the look of those sleeves! Suffering for beauty....

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  4. You all had such a great time! What a creations! Your dress is wonderful!

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  5. Gorgeous dress, Leith! Sorry you can't move your arms. :( I've made long sleeved dresses with that problem before. You definitely have the fit ironed out. The sleeveless one will be perfect!

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  6. OMG Leith I just bought V1027 cause I fall in love with your dress. Now I have to go and get this pattern cause I am in love with this one too!!!... The fabric and the pattern are simply gorgeous!

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  7. and to top it all I am green of envy (in a good way) of what a great group you guys are getting together and sharing face to face.... that is simply priceless.

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  8. Leith you've done a great job - your dress looks so well made and fits beautifully too. Thanks for the tip on the sleeves.

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  9. You look stunning - that fabric is divine. And I will always remember having to unzip you so you could drive!!

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  10. Awesome dress, Love the fabric & can't wait to see in the Alannah Hill red, sleeveless ;) Am fabulously jealous of everyone's wonderful day and hop to meet you all soon.

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  11. This dress is lovely and even better in person! Great to meet you in the weekend and I look forward to seeing the red moveable arm version of the dress :)

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  12. The dress looks fabulous on you, and I love the fabric. It's a perfect choice for the pattern. It's a shame about the sleeves. Can you take them out and make it sleeveless?

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