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Sunday 25 June 2017

A Dress is Born

Yup, she's finished and the fit is almost spot on, bad me I didn't make a toile. I used this as a wearable toile and am happy with it.
The next one will have half an inch off the strap length and a little smaller (woo hoo) waist.
I didn't follow Tilly's method of construction at all, but on the next one I will, I just jumped in and used my own method. 
I am happy with the result but it is good to learn new things so the next one will be "by the book".
I suppose that the main difference was that I used the old way of zip insertion. You sew the complete back seam but use a basting stitch in the zip area. Then place the zip face down, centred over the basted seam.  Rather than tack I used wonder tape to hold it in place while I stitched it in, in hindsight I could have left a wider allowance but it is fine.
I do like a lapped zip but only for side zips and I didn't have an invisible zip in the right colour. I still haven't found the foot for that either, I must have a concerted search.



Front view, you will notice that I am considerably larger than my dummy. Mind you this dress is a loose fit so it is not as bad as it seems.



Back view, the waist seems to dip when I wear it, purely down to the extra length in the straps, but I will be measuring very carefully on the next one.


The centred zip insertion, back in the day all zips were put in like this, very straightforward and simple. It doesn't even require a zipper foot and no faffing about opening and closing the zip.
I could put a hook and eye on the very top but will not as I find that they dig in. 

It is a bit damp here this morning, that fine drizzle that soaks you before it registers. No matter I will still be out to tea later.

Ben has ventured out into the garden and shot back in record time, he doesn't want to walk today. 

My breakfast was a slice of wholemeal toast with some me made peanut butter, with 2 cups of Assam tea. Black and strong mmmmm.

Lunch will be ......a big fat nothing. I will be enjoying my afternoon tea with no guilt that way. Dinner may well be a simple salad with fig balsamic vinegar, love that stuff. I do believe that I could drink it.

I have coffee to drink, my one cup of the day, before I insist that Ben does go out for a walk, like me he will not dissolve.

Happy Sunday.


                   TTFN                                                    Pam








17 comments:

  1. Would you share the recipe for the fig balsamic?

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    Replies
    1. If only I could, this is one condiment that I buy.

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  2. Very pretty Pam, just right for the hot weather when it comes back. Meanwhile a little cardigan with it will be perfect.

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    Replies
    1. I wore it yesterday with a little cardigan and it was perfect.

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  3. I love this style dress! I do have a pattern floating around somewhere...but I'm a hopeless sewist. I quilt, but do not mend or do buttons!

    Today's bonus...a new word! Faffing! Thank you and I promise I'll use it today.

    Jan

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    Replies
    1. Sewer -sewist is not a word.If you knit you are not called a knitist but a knitter. It's the same if you sew,then you are a sewer.

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    2. I often faff, and as for what you call yourself, I really don't mind. I include the snippy comment from Anonymous, who can not bring her/himself to give her/his name. Personally I don't wish to be known as a sewer, it has a not so nice meaning and I do not consider myself to be a seamstress so I am happy to be called a sewist as do many many others.

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  4. What a pretty dress. I love the fabric....as always you have such beautiful fabrics.
    Enjoy that afternoon tea-x-

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    Replies
    1. Most of my fabrics come from the Fabric Guild, they have some amazing bargains.

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  5. It's so long since I sewed anything (other than a hem). I used to make dresses and dungarees for my daughter when she was a little girl and now she is over thirty! Time I got the machine out of the loft!
    Eloise

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    Replies
    1. Do get it down and give it a dust off, I find sewing so relaxing and fabric does not have to cost the earth.

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  6. The dress is beautiful, well done.

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  7. Your dress turned out so pretty!! I've put zippers in before but never felt like they were put in right. Your work always looks perfect! Hope I never make anything else that requires a zipper. Aprons are more my speed. :)

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    Replies
    1. I am not a lover of zip insertion, I just grit my teeth and get stuck in.

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  8. I have been reading my blog list from the newer posts so saw you in this dress before I read this post. I must say you are being very hard on yourself. It really suits you. We could all do with losing a bit of weight but you look great and the dress looks perfect!

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  9. I love the sound of fig balsamic, I have never come across it before. Love the dress, a long sleeve top and some thick tights/leggings would take you through the Autumn too. Beautiful fabric.

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