Clara Pinafore Dress

This is the first of my christmas holidays makes, and was inspired by a dress worn by Clara in Doctor Who in an episode called "The Name Of The Doctor".  Here's my version which I'm wearing with a Tilly And The Buttons Agnes top:

and here is Clara's original.

It's a bit difficult to see in that photo because she has her arms folded, but I really like how the front sides stop just above the bust, then go at a right angle into the armhole.  I considered doing this, but didn't fancy the idea of having to negotiate that corner, and it would have been really obvious if I made a mess of it.  Clara's dress also seems to have welt pockets, but welt pockets and I will never be friends, so I ditched them too.  Also, I made my dress a bit longer!

My fabric is some polyviscose tartan from Oh Sew Crafty, and I used my same self-drafted pattern that I used for my cord pinafore dress.  This time, I didn't add a separate top to the pocket, and instead made the lower front side in one piece.  As this piece is cut on the bias, I stablised the inside with a strip of interfacing.

I'm very pleased with how I matched the tartan above the top of the pocket.

All the seams are top-stitched down on either side.  On the cord dress, I've found it tricky to get the seams to lay flat on the skirt.  This has helped a bit, and I might go back and do it on the cord dress.

This dress isn't lined, because I didn't think it was necessary, and the neckline and armholes are faced with bias tape.  Also, because the front and back side pieces are cut on the bias, I stay stitched around all the edges to stop them stretching.

My favourite bit is the exposed zip, which came from ebay.  I'm delighted with how it turned out, and used this great tutorial from Papercut Patterns.  This was a million times easier that the zip I did on the needle cord dress; the difference is that the stitches are visible on this one.  The centre back edges are interfaced where the zip goes, and I basted the zip in before sewing.  It worked first time, and no unpicking - result!

I found this New Look pattern, 6299, which I think is very similar.  The neckline is a bit higher, but it would be easy to lower it a bit, and I love the collar in Views A and B.

New Look 6299

I love how this dress turned out, and my unashamed current obsession with Doctor Who continues.  Didn't really love the Christmas special though, except for the end when the new Doctor showed up!  

Have a great week,

Lynne