Dresses

Spring florals (Part 1)

Hullo everyone! I’ve just gotten back from a few days away and am really happy to have a new dress to share with you, which I finished just before I left.

I’m going a bit nutty for super big floral dresses right now. Be warned for my next few posts.
I’ve just finished my second and will soon be starting a third.
Here is my first though.

almond rock simplicity 1880

These beautiful blooms are from Textile Express… I posted a pic on instagram of my fabric sample and it inspired Vicki Kate to purchase some too.

almond rock simplicity 1880

It’s one of their lovely cotton lawns from Japan. You remember my aeroplane fabric from this shop right? Very high quality prints with lovely drape. Check out the rest of their cotton lawn, I dare you.

So back to me larking about in the park.

*DANGER: Lots of pointy elbows coming up!*

almond rock simplicity 1880

This is Simplicity 1880 which the lovely folk at Simplicity sent to me for review quite some time ago. I made a shirt version but now have finally made the shirtdress!

almond rock simplicity 1880

The pattern calls for buttons only on the bodice but after making this up I kept getting distracted by the lack of button continuation. Am I the only one?

So I hacked my skirt up the front, added a placket and more lovely pearly buttons. Heehee I love breaking the rules and ignoring instructions!

almond rock simplicity 1880

I do love the notch collar; it’s so classic. And I worked hard to make the print look pretty on the collar, see the hydrangea peeping through? That’s my favourite bit.

almond rock simplicity 1880

Other pattern alterations included adding a skirt lining and omitting the waist pleats for gathers (both without any major issues). I’m very tempted to make a matching belt to cinch the dress it in a little further. I also made bias-binding for the armholes and used the back facing from the wrap dress variation as Sunni suggests here in her 1880 sewalong.

I hope you like it! Who else has made this one? Add a link in the comments in case I’ve not stalked yours before now.

Well I think that’s quite enough of my razor sharp elbows for now. Toodle pip!

(37) Comments

  1. This is so cute on you! I love it!

    1. almondrock says:

      Well thank you!

  2. This dress is so adorable! Although I’m usually not into floral patterns, this fabric is gorgeous and looks great on you!

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you! I’m very picky about what I consider a “good” floral. I think I lucked out with this one

  3. I’m so pleased you found a floral print that you like. You look great and taking the buttons down through the skirt was a nice touch.

    1. almondrock says:

      Aaah me too. Thanks for the lovely comments

  4. Totally adorable on you!!
    I have just finished this pattern over the weekend, but it looks completely different from yours. Mine is much more blousey (is that a word). My waist darts look quite different than yours, puffier, but mine are only pleated. Did you sew yours down?
    Anyway, your dress looks fabulous!!

    1. almondrock says:

      Oooh can’t wait to see yours. I think because on mine I used small gathers all over the front rather than just at the point where the pleats were supposed to go it made a difference to the look.

  5. Gorgeous – I love that fabric, and I know exactly what you mean about buttons extending all the way down! I’m always torn in that department, but it usually looks so much nicer with a full button closure!

    1. almondrock says:

      Ahh thanks! Glad to have your backing on the buttons!

  6. Fancydress-girl says:

    Just lovin your work!
    Di

    1. almondrock says:

      Thanks so much!

  7. Gorgeous Amy! And you can never have enough floral print dresses!

    1. almondrock says:

      Oooh that’s the perfect thing to say to me. No my floral-mania can run wild! 😉

  8. Ooh it looks lovely – looking forward to seeing even more florals! :p

    http://www.mancunianvintage.com

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you! I must go vote for you in the vintage awards. Glad you commented as it reminded me.

      1. Yay! Thanks m’dear 🙂 x

  9. Beyootiful! This is gorgeous! My length is being hoarded for the time being as hail and thunder doesn’t inspire summer dresses! It will become a floral Flora at some point though!

    1. almondrock says:

      Ahhh a lovely flora. I can just picture it. I can also picture delicious sunshine. Hopefully both aren’t too far off

  10. It looks great! Florals are fab! I love the aeroplane fabric – I still haven’t got round to making anything with my orange version but sometimes I just take it out to stroke…

    1. almondrock says:

      Aaah thank you. I really regret not buying more aeroplane fabric. I hope your well lovely lady!

  11. Gorgeous frock, I really like shirt dresses, not sure my sewing skills are capable of making one though
    http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/

    1. almondrock says:

      Oooh I wouldn’t rule it out! There’s a really descriptive sewalong for this pattern on sunni’s blog that I linked to above. Do you have anyone local to act as sewing support?

  12. Gorgeous! Yey to big flowers and ignoring instructions!

    1. almondrock says:

      High five!! Glad you’re a rebel too

  13. So cute! It strikes me as quite British, like it would be perfect to wear whilst having high tea :). I really must try this pattern!

    1. almondrock says:

      Thanks! Mmmm tea is delicious. Maybe in a nice English garden somewhere

  14. That is bloody gorgeous, love it! And yay to ignoring instructions.Off to check out that shop now.

    1. almondrock says:

      Wahoo!! Thanks. There’s some crossover with abakhans but tex exp do free samples and very fast shipping

  15. Ack I have this pattern, why haven’t I not made it yet!!! It’s clearly awesome!!

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you! I totally recommend it 🙂

  16. Wow, love that pattern & the vintage-y fabric really works well. So pretty & it’s very flattering on you…

    1. almondrock says:

      Awww thank you!!

  17. […] too tight then it puts too much strain on the button and I get gaping. In complete contrast with Amy I decided with this version to omit the skirt buttons, and inserted an invisible side zipper. I […]

  18. Lovely, lovely Amy in my favourite kinda dress in bloomin’ gorgeous fabric. What’s not to love! x

    1. almondrock says:

      Awww thank you! I really love this one 🙂

  19. […] what shirtdress is this? It’s Simplicity 1880, previously made by me here and the popular pattern from this […]

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