Monday, July 5, 2010

Dreaming of spring dress and Chanel progress


I am almost as passionate about
Simplicity 2614 as I am about this fabric bought at the Tessutis sale. It is such a versatile pattern. This dress is a modified version of the pattern including a self drafted flounce collar. To create the line for the dress I simply added the pattern piece for the skirt at the waistline mark on the blouse pattern. It works like a treat.
My dress is not copy but does pay homage to the Queen of the jersey frock, Australian designer Leona Edmiston. I made it to wear to a party in Melbourne - good thinking 99 - Melbourne is even colder than Sydney at the moment. It does look nice under my red wool overcoat!
I quite proud of what I achieved in terms of pattern matching. It took over an hour to lay out and cut. The picture below shows a centre front seam that is barely visible. I'm particularly grateful to the lovely assistant at Tessutis who persuaded me to buy more fabric than I originally intended. I needed every bit. Tessutis have a huge sale on so I came away with 6 metres of jersey and silk 30% off the original price.
I am still making slow progress on my Chanel style jacket. I've included a sneak preview shot of my first ever welt pocket which I'm trimming with a spidery black trim bought at the Dongdaemun fabric market in Korea. The black boucle self covered buttons have been rescued from a hideous pink and purple jacket found in the thrift shop. I've also completed quilting the back of the jacket. I'm seeing the jacket more as a hobby project to fit in around other projects that provide more instant gratification.
















12 comments:

  1. I was just thinking of my unfinished Chanel! I love both garments! The dress fabric is gorgeous.

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  2. The dress is beautiful, especially the fabric print, which is just stunning. Your Chanel looks like it is coming along! I am also looking forward to seeing your striped jacket --- great minds think alike!

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  3. Your dress is stunning! It sure has the look of the Australian designer. Welt pocket is looking good!

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  4. Your dress fabric is amazing! And your Chanel jacket too - I want to start mine soon!

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  5. Very pretty dress. The print is unusual, and makes a totally awesome dress!

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  6. I love the dress. That fabric is great! The collar is really nice! You are so talented!

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  7. Amazing dress. That fabric would terrify me. Your pattern matching is most impressive.

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  8. Fab dress and great fabric! You did a great job on it.

    I have started a Chanel jacket as well as a background project. I will be interested to see how yours goes.

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  9. Beautiful dress and great pattern matching.

    Your welt pocket looks very impressive and I agree the Chanel jackets are a background project.

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  10. Wow - that's some dedicated pattern matching! Nice work!

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  11. Prints are a real god send. They can make a garment special. Love the dress details.

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  12. heh you are ok at sewing... maybe you should get a better fabric though.... and a better pattern......... jk luvz it

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