So it's nearing the end of Selfish Sewing Week and today I'm sharing what I've been working on all week, the newly released Odette dress from Bluegingerdoll Patterns...
When Rachael approached me a while back and asked me if I'd like to sew along for Selfish Sewing Week I said sure, why not! It's always nice to have an excuse to set aside time for sewing for yourself, I've had a lot of fun in the past. I promptly put together a long list of things I wanted to make for myself...And then she asked me if I'd be interested in making the Odette dress. I have never used any Bluegingerdoll Patterns before, but love that they are drafted on a 'D' cup, read...YAY no FBA needed! So I said sure!
And then I mulled and mulled over what fabric to use...Is it just me or is picking just the right fabric for grown up clothes ridiculously difficult?! Swayed a bit by all the talk about the new Cotton & Steel fabrics I finally (after about a thousand texts to my mom) decided on hatbox cotton lawn, I fell in love with the sweet little subtle flowers and then after I got it I fell in love with it's beautiful soft hand and drape.
I've never made anything with cotton lawn before and now, just as I was with my double gauze dress, I am sold!
While the dress is called the Odette, I've been calling it my 11 hour dress, because that's about how long it took me to make!
I know this because I listened to an entire book while making it, plus a little more...It was a good one if you are interested.
Anywho, I'm not typically a long process sewer, I've mentioned this before...I like fast! But, dresses, especially those that are fitted are a different story. I regret not having and spending more time on getting just the right fit for my Caroline dress. So this time I really wanted to get it right! Even thought the dress didn't need an FBA it still needed some fitting changes. I fell right on size 12 for the bust and hips but not so much my waist, I don't exactly have an hourglass shape! So I fiddled around with my muslins, eventually making the bodice of a 12 easing out to a 14 for the waist, but back to a 12 up under the arms...lots of fiddling, but it really turned out to be such a perfect fit!
With all the muslin trying on I realized early that I loved the neckline without the inset. So I skipped it. I didn't sew quite as far down on the the V as I was supposed to so that it wasn't too deep. I think that the the V boat neck neckline is so so flattering.
The instructions for the pattern are thorough and easy to follow. There are tons of steps, as you would expect with a dress that is fitted, with a lining, an invisible zipper and pockets.
All that good stuff takes time! Putting together the pattern was also quite time consuming...66 pages mostly because the skirt is pieced together using four different pattern pieces! But, then again, the skirt has just the right amount of fullness to it, so, again...time = goodness.
I will admit at the beginning of this week I was kind of dreading putting together this dress. For no other reason than I wanted to make MORE! But, after the "boring" parts of putting together the pattern and making the muslin and then cutting out the fabric pieces (which I toiled over because I had a heck of a time fitting all of the pattern pieces onto my fabric!) I really enjoyed the process of putting together what I was fairly certain was going to be a well made, beautiful dress.
And, it did turn out beautifully! I really really love it! And am so happy with the end product! The only problem...now I need somewhere to wear it! I need a cocktail party, or a date or a job to wear it to!
I suppose it'll look just as nice with an apron while baking a cake too...HA! Yes, it does have a vintage feel to it, but I surely won't be baking any cakes in it!
Have a great weekend!
(I was given a copy of this dress pattern to sew for Selfish Sewing Week, but all of my opinions are my own.)
Oh and don't forget to check out what all of the other fantastic featured sewers have been sewing and the indie designer patterns they've been using...
featured stitchers:
Call Ajaire The Crafty Kitty Max California the quirky peach Sewbon Swoodson Says sewVery a happy stitch sew a straight line Sew Caroline Our Chez Nous Casa Crafty verypurpleperson Flamingo Toes Sewing Rabbit justmejay groovy baby and mama you & mie oona balloona sew Amy sew Idle Fancy miss matatabi Dandelion Drift Modern Handcraft Buzzmills u&mii B.Yazoo A Quilter's Table lbg studio Diary of a Chainstitcher Compagnie M. Sew Chibi la inglesita Modern Handmade Sing All You Want Cookin' and Craftin' Behind the Hedgerow Milkybeer Handmade The Charming Needle
indie pattern designers:
April Rhodes Blank Slate Patterns Bluegingerdoll By Hand London CaliFaye Collection Chris W Designs Christine Haynes Closet Case Patterns Clover & Violet Deer and Doe Delia Creates Emmaline Bags Go To Patterns grainline studio GreenStyleCreations Hey June Handmade imagine gnats In-House Patterns Kate & Rose Kitschy Coo Megan Nielsen Patterns Mouse House Creations Named Clothing Noodlehead Papercut Patterns Pauline Alice SBCC Patterns schnitten Scientific Seamstress see kate sew Sew Caroline Sew House Seven Sew Sweetness Sewaholic Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H SUCH Designs True Bias Victory Patterns Violette Field Threads