The Second Dress: Mission Complete
I’ve been making a dress which was started by someone else circa 1970-1973. It was given to me in a collection of fabric, nine years ago.
The dress consisted of a basted-together skirt and some scraps to cut a bodice. I started on it last week.…
….and have now put together the pieces. Funnily, when viewed as a whole dress, the fabric seems to be SO different than when it was just small bits.
I quite liked it sleeveless, however would probably wear it more often if it had sleeves.
The waistline got cut a little too high for my preference, and now has a little 6mm seam allowance to make to bodice as long as possible.
I did use the brown vintage bias binding in the end, but as a flat piping instead of binding. It got trimmed slightly to get a good width.
To get the flat piping on, it had to be stitched continuously in one fell swoop, from hemline, up the front, around the collar, and back down the other side.
I left the John Kaldor Fabricmaker writing on a selvedge hidden inside a sleeve.
Here it is, as far finished as I’ve gotten. It really only needs hems and buttonholes (I don’t have buttons yet).
Sharp eyes will notice two different sleeve lengths – I think the shorter one looks cuter. There’s still some bias binding left, so I might trim the sleeve with it.
I had a bit of fun experimenting with belts.
Middle and Right: Cris Wood’s Cinch Belt (a free pattern), tied two different ways.
I actually don’t mind this dress with no belt.
And there we are, mission “pretty much complete”. I’ll finish the remaining things, and look forward to wearing it at the end of the year when the weather is warm.
Thanks for following along! If you’d like to go back and read the whole story:
Nine years ago, a collection of fabric from the 1950s-1970s was given to me.
Along with the fabric, it contained two unfinished dresses.
I chose to work on the black and white dress first, since there was less to do.
Then last week I cut out the pieces for this dress.
Cheers!
That dress is sooo you!! Looks lovely.
Thanks Michelle 🙂 It would be even more “me” if I added pockets – I tried patch pockets but they mess with the fabric print, but I’ve left my options open for in-seam pockets.
It’s a really cute dress
Thanks Laurinda, so happy with how it turned out.
That’s a good job jobbed! The dress looks really good, and although the fabric print looked quite busy when it was in pieces, it all comes together harmoniously. I agree the shorter sleeve length is a bit cuter.
Yes, the satisfaction of ticking a UFO off the list is high! I was thinking about the fabric print last night, and it’s a bit like a painting which looks different close up than it does at a distance. The aqua/green jumps out more at a distance, and the pinks and greys recede.
I agree with you, the short sleeve is nicer. I also liked the wider belt. You are a genius.
Thanks Darlene – I always feel that the little tweaks at the end are the really fun part, just getting the proportions right and trying accessories 🙂
I love the idea of finishing these dresses!
Yeah, wish I’d started earlier on them – far better that they’re finished, worn and enjoyed than sitting in a stash.
Beautiful job!Especially the piping. It really looks nice on you….and I agree.. I think the shorter sleeve is cuter.
Thank Jeannie, really happy with how the piping turned out.
It’s a really cool dress. I like it a lot.
Thanks Jana 🙂 Planning to finish it off this weekend.
I love this whole project! What a beautiful collar.
Thanks Cindy, it’s been a very pleasant project to work on.
I like how you managed to get the bias AND the collar. And the short sleeves are definitely better! I was also quite amazed to see the difference between the fabric on the table and on you, it definitely looks better on you. I’m curious to see which buttons you will find to match such a print I must say!
Thanks Liseli 🙂 The corners of the collar + piping situation took a bit of thought. Think of using small brown buttons to match the piping – I have some but not enough.
I think the dress looks marvellous, how lovely. We are the poorer, in some ways, now that clothes are just a little bit boring.
Thank you Elaine, I’m very happy with it. I doubt I will bump into someone wearing the same thing!