Sunday 25 March 2012

Sunny Cerise

I've had this stunning fabric in my stash since last summer and I just love the colour! With the beautiful weather we've been having in the UK at the moment I really felt the need to use it.

I'd had my eye on a pattern from Burda Magazine (12/2011 design 107). It was a beautiful dress in soft pink jersey fabric, but was also suitable for woven fabrics. I'd wondered about this pattern, as although I love the style, it's not the sort of style I usually choose as I do not have much bust and find this type of dress often gapes at the bust.

I decided to give it a go. I made a toile (blogged about here) and adjusted the bust gathers and central panel to fit under the bust and waist well. The original sleeves were awful and just looked all wrong. I made adjustments to under the arm and the fullness of the sleeve, I also removed the gathers from the skirt front, but kept the inverted pleat.

The upper back had too much excess fabric and the pleat detail just looked awful, so I adapted the back bodice to a simple piece using my self drafted block. I also added a modesty panel at the front as the original was too low.

I've been reading Couture Sewing Techniques by Claire Schaffer
I've tried to use a few of the techniques in this dress. I used a bias facing at the back neck edge.

and eased the fullness of the skirt hem by using a pulled gathering stitch. I also hemmed by hand - which I don't normally do. I did however neaten all the edges with the overlocker.

Generally I'm quite pleased with the results although I'm not entirely happy with the neckline.I'll just end up wearing  a scarf with it, as I do with most things that I wear.

14 comments:

  1. it looks gorgeous - and it's a lovely colour.

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  2. That is a beautiful dress. You've almost made up your own pattern with all those alterations!

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  3. Wow, fab dress. Definitely worthy of a special K ad!

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  4. Love the colour. It's just right for all this bright sunny weather we've had recently.

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  5. That looks fabulous, and I love the way you tweaked it so that it's perfect for you.

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  6. Wow, it is lovely! Beautifully finished, and a stunning colour!

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  7. What a great colour choice for a great dress. Well done. x

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  8. Very pretty! It's interesting to see which Couture Sewing Techniques you put into use. I borrowed Claire Schaffer's book from the library but just knew I wouldn't have the patience to put it into practice. Maybe I have to take baby steps. Thanks for sharing at Etcetorize.

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  9. Wow I am in awe of your talents this looks brilliant!

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  10. You're so clever, the finished dress looks brilliant and what a fantastic colour. Great for out and about in the sunshine or brightening up a dull day.

    Jan x

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  11. I am going to be featuring you tomorrow morning on Blissful and Domestic. Stop by and grab a button.

    Danielle
    www.blissfulanddomestic.com

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  12. Looks wonderful! I'm struggling with the bust on this one at the moment, as well. I don't think it matters whether you have a big or small bust, it gapes either way! I would love to maintain the look of the V neck, but it's rather...ahem...indecent at the moment. Might have to look further into a modesty panel, like you did!

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