About this far! One metre of light wool fabric that cost R10 on a sale, an old(ish) Burda magazine pattern, and several hours of sewing by the rules.These are really really bad photos, I know, and I'm sorry, but there's so little light indoors at the moment, and I was too cold to take off the shirt I'm wearing under the dress.
It's the simplest pattern I could find: just 1 front and 2 back pieces, the sleeves not being cut separately. The original pattern had a long straight skirt, but I made a mock-up in calico (gasp!). Once I'd checked that that fitted, I just drew lines outward from the hip shaping to make a more A-line shape.
It's exactly what I wanted. Given how long it can take to sew a dress*, buying clothes is usually cheaper than making. But I never find things I want in shops. Or, if I do, I'm disappointed at the fabric, the lack of lining or proper hem, and I always, always have to take things in at the back of the waist. The only clothes I ever really want to buy cost as much as I earn in a very good month. So sewing ends up cheaper.
*specially if you press all the seams, and tack the zip in rather than just pinning it, and measure seam allowances instead of guessing, and mark pieces with chalk. Yes I did.
Very nice indeed.
ReplyDeleteClassic, simple design, that can work with lots of things :)
oh its absolutely beautiful!!!!
ReplyDeleteand you sound like you usually sew like me..the lets-just-guess-and-it-hopefully-will-work-out-kinda way ;)
enjoy wearing your piece of art
Lovely, well done you.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree about not being able to find stuff I like in shops unless it costs way beyond what I can afford. And making something yourself is so much more satisfying even if it means following the rules sometimes.
ReplyDeleteGreat dress, btw.
Stylish and simple. It's perfect.
ReplyDeleteJealous much!
ReplyDeletei love it! did you line it too??!!
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteVerrrrry impressed indeed!
ReplyDeleteTrès chic!
ReplyDeleteLooks verry nice!
ReplyDeleteAnd i like the shoes with it.
I love this! If I made a dress like that, I think I'd wear it everyday. It reminds me of Andrea Zittel's Personal Uniform.
ReplyDeleteI always try to convince myself that I can make a dress with 1 yard, but so few patterns agree! Yours looks great.
ReplyDeleteGreat dress! I agree with you, you can never find exactly what you want in shops and the prices are ridicilous. I refuse to pay R400 for a knit top I can make for less than R100 and I can make it in the style I want too. Just wish I can find more nice fabric locally, especially knits. I prefer wearing knit fabric tops to cotton anyday.
ReplyDeleteohmygosh! i'm so impressed. your dress is truly gorgeous - and for a tenner. blimmin heck, even better :-)
ReplyDeleteI love it, it's perfect! The cut is really lovely and classic on you too.
ReplyDelete