I'm sliding this dress in under the wire for the Sewcialists #polkadotjanuary. I finished this in the second week of January when I was off on leave, but then I got a cold and had to take the next week off sick! I was only fit for lying on the sofa with a box a tissues and a bottle of Irn Bru, and alternately watching Craftsy classes and knitting. On the plus side, I finished a scarf/shawl thingy that I started before christmas, but it still needs blocked.
Anyway, this post was mostly written about two weeks' ago, but I only got to take some photos today. It's bright and sunny here in Belfast today, hence the sun flare in my modelled photos; but don't let that fool you, it is also blowing a hooley - which is Belfast for it's really windy. There was nearly an embarassing incident this afternoon when I was coming into the house. The wind caught the back of the skirt, but luckily my sister was right behind me, and grabbed it. So, onto the dress! This is the second of my three planned dresses using the Tilly And The Buttons Lilou dress skirt, and this time the bodice is the good old By Hand London Anna dress bodice.
Anyway, this post was mostly written about two weeks' ago, but I only got to take some photos today. It's bright and sunny here in Belfast today, hence the sun flare in my modelled photos; but don't let that fool you, it is also blowing a hooley - which is Belfast for it's really windy. There was nearly an embarassing incident this afternoon when I was coming into the house. The wind caught the back of the skirt, but luckily my sister was right behind me, and grabbed it. So, onto the dress! This is the second of my three planned dresses using the Tilly And The Buttons Lilou dress skirt, and this time the bodice is the good old By Hand London Anna dress bodice.
It's a bit breezy! |
It was pretty easy to mash the two patterns together, all I had to do was to move the front and back bodice darts a few millimetres to line up with the pleats.
My fabric is some cotton sateen that I bought in Craftswoman Fabrics in Carrickfergus last November. Some of our local sewists adviced me to make the trip, and I can't believe that I left it so long to go to this shop, because it's fantastic. The thing that put me off was the distance, about 40 minutes drive from my house (although some of that was being stuck in road works). Now, I fully appreciate that that is nothing to most folks, but after about 20 minutes of driving I get really bored, and also I have absolutely no sense of direction. Thank goodness for the sat nav on my phone! Here's what I bought:
![]() |
Rubbish phone photo! |
Top left: Blue denim for a pair of Sewaholic Thurlow trousers. These were mostly made during the Christmas holidays, but I fell out of love for them, and only finished them just over a week ago. But that's for another post.
Top right: Black ponte roma that has already been made into a Tilly And The Buttons Coco Top. I didn't blog it, but you can see it here on Instagram.
Middle left: Flowery cotton poplin which is going to be another pair of Tilly And The Buttons Margot pyjama bottoms.
Middle right: Black and light brown ponte roma which is going to be a Jennifer Lauren Vintage Bronte Top.
Bottom left: Cotton sateen for this post's dress.
Bottom right: Purple flowery cotton poplin for another pair of Tilly And The Buttons Margot pyjama bottoms. These have been made, and you can see them here on Instagram.
This is the first time that I have used cotton sateen, and it's lovely. It's heavier that poplin, and has a slight stretch. I bought two metres at 58" wide, and it cost £8.95 per metre.
This went together with no problems, and I added some pockets from Simplicity 2444. I'm very pleased with my pattern matching on the front at the waist,
sadly the pattern matching part of my brain must have went for it's tea break when I cut out the back...
As mentioned above, this was made when I was off work two weeks' ago. I had to get my car fixed after one of my neighbour's reversed into it, (neighbour was very apologetic, but these things happen, and I'm not going to fall out with someone over a car). I got a courtesy car, but I didn't like driving it, so it sat on my driveway until I got my own car back. This was a good thing, because it meant that I couldn't go faffing about anywhere, and I could tackle my list of sewing jobs.
I made most of this dress in one day, which impressed me mightily, and then left it to hang to see if the hem would drop and hemmed it the next day. I made this dress a bit shorter than my other dresses, and whilst it feels short, I really like this length. I also made this shopping bag, which was trickier that it should have been, and my machine did not appreciate the many layers of thick fabric. Then I finished the above mentioned trousers and shawl, and traced and toiled my Deer and Doe Sureau dress pattern, but the sleeves still need a bit of work.
I have also started another quilt (after I said I wouldn't!). This one isn't as big as the last one I made, and is also for my friend's baby. Oh, and I have cast on the Chuck jumper, and it's going well. But they are all for other posts.
I have also started another quilt (after I said I wouldn't!). This one isn't as big as the last one I made, and is also for my friend's baby. Oh, and I have cast on the Chuck jumper, and it's going well. But they are all for other posts.
Have a great week,
Lynne
The anna dress bodice is great for mash ups with other skirt patterns! This is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThe anna dress bodice is great for mash ups with other skirt patterns! This is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Anna really does lend itself well to a mash-up.
DeleteI feel cold just knowing you were modelling this lovely dress in January!! Hope you are feeling better now. Are you going to be tuning into the Sewing Bee this week? I am excited that it's on again.
ReplyDeleteIt really was cold! We had snow last week, and it's gone now, but there is more forecast for Tuesday. I'll feeling grand now, and I will certainly be watching The Bee. My knitting is ready, and I've booked my spot on the sofa!
DeleteI think your dress is lovely. And the pattern matching is absolutely fine. (Why do we feel this need to point out tiny little discrepancies). We are not the pattern matching police.
ReplyDeleteI see you are using Tilly Buttons patterns. Are they good?
Thank you! I was cross with myself when I saw the back because I was so pleased with the front. But then again, I won't see the back when I'm wearing it! I love Tilly's patterns, the designs are great and the instructions are so clear and easy to follow; and I can definately recommend her book.
DeleteThank you.
DeleteWhat a great pattern combo! The finished dress looks absolutely lovely Lynne. x
ReplyDeleteThank you! I really love it, and because the fabric is a bit heavier, it's a more winter-friendly dress.
DeleteThe length of the dress Is lovely on you and is just as I like to wear!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I really like this length, I think I'll have to try it on some future dresses.
DeleteThis dress is really flattering on you and I agree, there's nothing wrong with the pattern matching. I was thinking about going to craftwoman fabrics myself and I live much further than 40 mins drive: a ferry ride for me. Some day perhaps.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Getting a ferry is dedication to fabric shopping! It really is a lovely shop, and it's a shame that they don't seem to have a website. I hope you manage to get to it some time because they had such a great stock and variety of fabric. They even had beautiful lace and fabric for wedding and formal dresses. I'm going to have to plan a trip myself!
DeleteAnna is my favourite bodice and this one looks fantastic with the lilou skirt! Love it! Length looks perfect too !
ReplyDeleteThank you! What's not to love about Anna?! I think that it's a great bodice for a printed fabric, because the lack of bust darts means the print doesn't get broken up.
DeleteSuch a cute dress, the Lilou skirt and Anna bodice work so well together and the length really suits you! love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love how this combination turned out, and already have another one planned.
DeleteI love this Lynne! the dart matching is perfect!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm pretty pleased with the dart matching!
DeletePretty! I now want a polka dot dress badly! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! You should totally make one!!
DeleteWay to sew up new fabric right away! The dress is lovely, that bodice is so flattering!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I impressed myself with sewing stash so quickly!
DeleteI love it :) it looks gorgeous x
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSuper cute! The length looks really nice on you too.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love the length.
DeleteGorgeous - another winner Lynne! And oh my goodness, your pattern matching on the front is spot on (sorry, had to be done.....!).
ReplyDeleteWell done for making it to Craftswoman, it's by far the best selection of fabric for us, but I agree, pain in the ass to get to! I really need to visit the shop to check out their jerseys - I bought some online but they were all different weights to what I needed, so really want to feel the fabric before buying!
Lol, thank you! I can't get over how great Craftswoman is, and I'm going to have to go back again. They had lots of lovely jersey fabric, and I agree that you definitely need to feel a jersey fabric before buying.
DeleteI love the Anna bodice on you. I should make this dress one day too since I have the pattern since some months ago. I see that despite your cold your month was productive. I had the same, I think it's due to the cold weather and staying home.
ReplyDeleteThank you! The Anna dress would be lovely on you, and it's so easy to make.
DeleteLooks like you've been busy Lynne! The dress looks amazing and surprisingly enough I love the dotty fabric .D The other makes on instagram also look fab, the stripey pockets are a definite win. Can't wait to see your Sureau dress.
ReplyDeleteThank you! What's not to love about polka dots! My Sureau has stalled a bit due to a combination of selfless sewing, and procrastinating about the fit of the sleeves. I need to suck it up and get on with it!
DeleteOh, this is lovely on you! You're so good at getting a nice fit!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm very pleased with the fit.
DeleteThis is beautiful Lynne! I love the Lilou skirt - was just planning to mash it up with a bodice that I drafted. Definitely going to give it a go now :) x
ReplyDeleteThank you! Ooo, I'll look forward to seeing your mashup, and I have a few more planned myself.
DeleteBeautiful dress, Lynne. A great mash up and your pattern matching at the front is to be admired! Looking forward to seeing all the other projects you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I've mostly been working on my Chuck jumper, but I'll have to get my act together to blog the quilt and shawl.
DeleteExcellent pleat matching! A very good skirted dress. Plus your shoes are super cute
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm very pleased with how the pleats matched. Those shoes are only fit for the bin! But I have really small feet, and these fit me.
DeleteLooks lovely! I was just about to add "Ooh me too! I'm making an Anna Lou dress!" but I realised I was going to make that and then opted for the gathered skirt Tilly mentions in the Lilou pattern instructions; the Clémence skirt. So what does that make it, an AnnaClém? Not sure I like that franken name though.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Good luck with your dress, it sounds lovely. What about calling it Anmence or Annamence?
DeleteI only discovered your blog yesterday (thank you google!) and I love your style 😀 This dress is exactly something I'd sew! It looks fab. I bought the Anna pattern a week or so ago and can't wait to get some time to try it out.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Anna is such a brilliant pattern, you won't be disappointed with it.
ReplyDeleteGreat dress. I like your choice of fabric. Very versatile. I really like this length on you. I've admired the Anna bodice for a long time now and this dress just makes me want a dress with that bodice more! Great franken dress :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! The Anna bodice can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned!
Delete