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The Electric Petunia Belladone Dress

Hurrah I finished my radioactive purple Belladone!

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When I was in London for the last meet up I went to the Village Haberdashery. I love surfing the online shop but wanted to see everything in real life.

Ecstatic to see independent patterns neatly perched on a rack, I bought the Deer and Doe Belladone pattern using birthday money from my little brother. Well done little fro, well done.

belladone

I was really keen on using chambray for the pattern… fast forward 2 minutes and I’m umming and aahing over the gorgeous chambray in stock. After a quick chat Annie ordered me this purple from the distributors and shipped it to me a few days later. How’s that for customer service!?

For the dress I cut a straight 38. It fit almost perfectly out the packet (love it when this happens). I just made a teeny adjustment to the waist position and to the back skirt pieces.

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(This doesn’t even do the colour justice. It’s soooo rich. Crocus is a great name for it!)

This is Robert Kaufman’s Interweave Chambray and its definitely bright. It has a really good pink undertone that makes it pop.

Crazily I had the perfect size coordinating purple metal zipper in my stash. Throw in hot pink bias tape everywhere and an old bobbin of “Petunia” sylko thread for my top stitching and my colour scheme was set (remind anyone of My Little Pony?).

SilverLining

(Damn, remember how good and plastic-y MLPs used to smell? Have I gone too weird for you? Let’s get back on course…)

And of course I made some alterations (why keep anything simple Amy).

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(THIS ONE shows the kapow colour of this chambray)

I made the neckline a v-neck like Anna’s latest version as I think that is a touch more flattering on me. For crazy reasons I put in a handpicked lapped zipper. The hem is finished with bias tape turned inside. Plus I added a waistband facing in the same chambray.

One alteration I didn’t do was line the skirt. Arrrgh why didn’t I do it?! I’m a fool. I totally hate sticking to my tights. And I know I don’t own a good quality slip. Plus no one wants to flash their work colleagues… err unless you’re in a very unusual workplace?

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Eléonore has made such a simple but elegant dress pattern for us all to play with. I found the instructions excellent. It’s fun to have options with the bias tape – lots on show, some on show or none on show! The English translation is great and the pictorials are very clear. I didn’t really get the need for a hem facing but guess it could come in handy for some fabrics.

Options for Next Time!

(yes, yes of course there will be a next time)

1. Lining. Definitely the skirt, possibly the whole thing. Though I will use something nice and lightweight (getting my zipper sewn in through the double waistband was NOT fun).

2. Play with stripes, polka dots or gingham! Lauren’s version is mega. So is Amanda’s. I seriously love monochrome dressing. I’d like to try a black and white (or a red and white) gingham or plaid with solid coloured (black or red) bias binding in as an accent.

Amanda and Lauren

3. Alter the bodice to make a top; Skip the waistband and just start the bottom of the bodice from there. And move the zip to the side? Crazy or genius?

4. I’ve already tried this but it’s not fully realised. Turn the bottom of the dress into a skirt on its own; You make a waistband facing and insert a smaller zip. Simple! I got the idea from Rochelle who made a Cambie skirt!

5. Finally, can I try a different skirt on the dress? Those pockets are adorable but this skirt is a bit too close fitting for my comfort. I prefer a nice bit of gathering and a bit of swish. Not sure how that would look though. Hmmm…

Okay that’s enough from me. Look out for the Ladybird Likes giveaway winner announcement this weekend!

(32) Comments

  1. “My little pony, my little pony, la la laaa la la laaaa.” When I was in university, I loved a band called Project 9 and when we would go see them, they would have all kinds of props on stage with them, beach balls, world globes, race cars, and yup, you guessed it, My Little Ponies!! We’d all hum the theme song from the commercials…..(umm, ya, it would seem a tad less weird if you were drinking….) 🙂 Anyway, love, love, love your Belladone! The purple IS positively electric, a great colour. The -V neck is also nice touch, you are right, it is very flattering on you! And, you can go with Ginger’s suggestion of making a separate half-slip and just wearing it with the dress. I simply cannot wait to make my Belladone now!! (still trying to finish my cape currently).

    1. almondrock says:

      Haha good old ponies. That song will be locked in our minds forever I think. Your cape turned out amazing by the way!

      1. Thanks!! (and, yup, still the @$*! My Little Pony song in my brain….)

  2. This is just so killer! I love the v-neck– what a nice touch! And I never would’ve guessed that you used chambray! I’ve never seen chambray in such a vibrant color before! It’s stunning!

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you! You should check out the other colours! Some are more sedate 🙂

  3. Oh wow! It’s gorgeous and my little pny was awesome! The colour looks fabulous on you and I like the v neck variation.

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you vk!

  4. That’s really nice. Something about the shape works very well on you. I can’t see this with a fuller skirt but maybe that’s because I like this version so much. Beautiful fabric too.

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you! Maybe you’re right. I won’t try it out on beloved fabric just in case 🙂

  5. Oh my goodness! This is gorgeous! Another Belladone for the inspiration list. I’m hoping to start mine soon, it’s what I bought that chambray for, my colour is Lagoon. Thanks for the tip re lining the skirt, must remember that!

    1. almondrock says:

      Can’t wait to see yours. I’ll probably work on my darling ranges next hehe. I might change my intended spotty fabric after seeing your lovely version.

  6. Its so pretty, my favourite colour…
    & now its on my wishlist too!!

    1. almondrock says:

      Yay! Do it. Such fun to sew

  7. Love the colour! Crocus… lovely. I have the Belladone pattern sitting patiently in my sewing cupboard. I had such a drama getting the Sureau bodice to fit me that it kinda put me off a little. I will get to it though as I have three versions in mind (including just the skirt just like you!).

    1. almondrock says:

      Ooh no don’t be put off. Its a much simpler front bodice to fit and the back is easily adjustable.

  8. I love the neckline, it’s perfect. Picks up on the front neckline shape and I think I prefer it to the original!

    1. almondrock says:

      Oooh compliment alert! Thank you. I just couldn’t “see it” with the round neck

  9. Oh wow- that colour is so fabulous!!! That’s a gorgeous dress, and I’m looking forward to hearing all about the variations that will be coming along.

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you! There may be one waiting in the wings already 😉

  10. Lovely colour! And so pretty on the insides with the contrast colour that it’s almost a reversible dress!! 🙂

    1. almondrock says:

      Aww thank you! I’ve been trying hard to have pretty insides (what a sentence!!)

  11. I want, nay, NEED to see this in real life! It’s amazeballs.

    I had the orange MLP and yes there was that plastic smell about it. Do you remember the Finders Keepers toys? I had the orange snail. Think I had (& still have) a thing for orange…

    1. almondrock says:

      Ooooh my god I loved the finders keepers. And polly pocket. Happy memories heehee. You helped me cave and buy this pattern you know. What a good influence

  12. This is just fabulous! I love the V neck, I may try that with my next one. And the colour is amazing – I am heading over to the Village Haberdashery for some of their chambray as soon as I have sewn enough of my stash to justify buying more fabric.

    1. almondrock says:

      Yes! I need to stash bust a bit before any more shopping!

  13. So. Much. Awesome.
    And then when I saw the pink binding I almost cried happy tears! This is so fierce 😀
    And thank ye for the mention- go the goofy photo!

    1. almondrock says:

      Thanks! You’re very inspiring madam 🙂

  14. So neatly finished inside! Lovely! That fabric is killer too, I’m after something just right for my first Cambie and you may have tempted me to investigate the colours of this chambray further…

    1. almondrock says:

      Oooh yes so many lovely colours. Loved your Anna and hope you had a lovely birthday!

  15. […] electric purple belladone dress was made from a gorgeous Robert Kaufman chambray. And I made my belladone skirt out of a wonderful […]

  16. […] importantly the customer service is top notch. Annie went out of her way to order me the electric purple chambray for my Belladone while I was stood in the store with her. And even though she could have gotten sick of me bugging […]

  17. […] was a bit too heavyweight for that. So I thought how about a Jolie Marie Louise Léa dress or a Deer and Doe Belladone? Belladone won out as you can […]

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