Hello lovely people! I hope you're all well. I've been sewing this week, and it feels great to be making stuff again. One of my 2016 goals is to "perfect the fit on my TNT dress patterns and make lots of versions of them". I decided to start with the Flora, mainly cause I really wanted to make it up in this fabric!
This one is the Flora high tank bodice with a pleated Emery skirt. I adore the massive pleats of the Flora skirt but I didn't have quite enough fabric for that, plus I figured a less volumous skirt will be more everyday-wearable (I'm looking at you, gusts of wind).
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| Magpie Feather Dress (BHL Flora bodice with a pleated Christine Hayne's Emery skirt) |
I actually really love the Flora bodice with the Emery skirt. I used my Marion dress as a guide for my pleats, keeping them to the sides again, and the result is a lovely bell shaped skirt which I think looks lush with the tank bodice.
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| Pleased as punch |
The fabric is by Hillberg fabrics, and I got it at a bargain price on Goldhawk Road. I was actually shopping for fabrics for my niece's Christmas skirts at the time, but on impulse bought extra of this one as it was an end of bolt, and I'm really glad I did. I know it's pretty twee, but hey, so am I. I love that because it's navy, it feels winter appropriate (with a cardigan obviously), but it also has lovely sunny colours in the print that will make it perfect for summer. A dress for all seasons. I LOVE THAT.
So, I toiled the bodice a few times and made a few alterations until I was happy with the fit:
- began with a size down from my last version (UK14)
- a 2 1/4" FBA
- moved the front waist darts over towards centre 1" (to be pointing properly at apex of bust)
- lengthened the bodice by 1/4"
I did also lower the front waist darts slightly, but ended up raising them again! You know when you go one alteration too far, and actually it was better before?!
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| What is it about a self-lined bodice? This brings me joy. |
So it didn't take too much effort to get the fit working for me. It almost makes me a little bit cross at myself that I didn't do a toile the first time round! But I shall console myself with the fact that I've done the fit work now, and I can go forth and make loads of Floras. I'm trying to think of ways to change it up a bit, and obviously there are lots of skirts I could pair with the bodice, but I'm also thinking that maybe a Flora playsuit would be nice?
Anyway, I'm pleased with my new frock, and mainly just glad I've got my sew-jo back!
Til next time x
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| I'm in love with my new dress! |
so pretty! Well done on the fit, I love the bodice with this skirt too ;o)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Colette! I love it when a bodice/skirt combination works JUST how you imagined! If I had suitable fabric I'd make more of these hybrids right now!! x
DeleteRee it looks amazing on you! I've had the Flora pattern for a while, but I've been avoiding making it because I'll need to do an FBA, so it's great to see how fab it looks on you with the adjustments you've made! Inspired to give it a go :) x
ReplyDeleteAh thanks, Shauni! I would really recommend!! It's actually a really quick pattern to sew up but I think it's really elegant! :) xxx
DeleteThis dress is so cute, I love everything about it! The shape/style is absolutely perfect on you. Your smile in the second photo says it all :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jo! I love it too! I am so chuffed with the dress and it makes me happy!!! xxx
DeleteI love that fabric, so so pretty and good work on the adjustments-the fit looks perfect. I'm going to give the cross front flora a go next, hoping not too many adjustments are needed....fingers crossed :) x
ReplyDeleteThanks Zoe, it's a good print, isn't it? Ooh I look forward to reading about your cross front Flora, need to try that view myself. Hope it goes well! xx
DeleteGorgeous! I love the fabric, and that it can be worn all year round. It's so satisfying to get the fit right.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynne. I agree, it is so satisfying to get the fit right! I can't wait to cut out another. xx
DeleteSuch a pretty dress, Ree! Well done on your fitting, I find that the most frustrating part. It's so time consuming making all those toiles, but worth it in the end.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Coo! I really love it. I'm with you, I do get very impatient making lots of toilet but it is so worth it. I need to fight my tendency to forgo the toile stage! I always regret it later if I do that!! xx
DeleteThis is super pretty - I love the little straps! I can't sew to save my life, but if I could I'd make a dress very similar to this; I love the shape. Very talented!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cici! I love it too, I've already got two more of these planned! If you ever decide to give sewing a go, this pattern is very easy and would be a great starting point! x
DeleteIt's beautiful! I love this fabric, I have it in two other colour ways :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely print, isn't it? I will have to look out for the other colour ways!
DeleteIt's adorable and lined bodices are really nice (no flipping of facings either)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love it and I've worn it loads already!!
DeleteIt's adorable and lined bodices are really nice (no flipping of facings either)
ReplyDeleteYou're right! Facings are a bit annoying aren't they? x
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