The Jackson Pollock splodge dress
I just finished a pretty little number.
The fabric is a Liberty tana lawn called “Melly”. You might recognise it from Elise’s tulip sleeved peplum blouse.
It’s a bit of a sad little tale really. I wanted so desperately to pair this lovely fabric with some black shiny buttons and decided the Deer and Doe Sureau would work excellently. I was also going to add black contract bands of ribbon to the skirt and sleeve hems.
But in my eagerness to press ahead I didn’t realise that the waist measurements I’d used to grade my pattern weren’t quite right. Curse you, biscuits! I ended up with about 5/8 ” of a gap where the side seam wouldn’t meet (*shakes head in horror*) and there was not enough seam allowance to let it out.
I had a good half metre of the Melly cotton left so I thought I might be able to squeeze something out of that but the Sureau pattern pieces were just too big. Instead I turned to my trusty Simplicity 2444.
The pattern pieces fortunately fit on the remaining fabric and I cut cap sleeves out of the Sureau full sleeves, that had been rendered useless. I kept the Sureau skirt which is a bit slimmer cut when you compare to my previous 2444s.
I love how from a distance this fabric looks so delicate, almost floral but up close the paint splatter effect is brilliant. I feel like a walking Jackson Pollock painting.
The sleeves made this version feel quite different to my other Simplicity 2444 dresses (I’m pretty sure this will be my last for a while now though). But as I’m sure you’ve noticed I took them off. They were a teeny bit too tight for all the dancing I was planning!
Only the skirt is lined this time, in a bright blue polyester and I inserted a side zip to give myself a new challenge. This may be my best “centred” zip insertion to date; I think this is due to me marking out in air-erasable pen where to sew rather than following the grain of the zipper alone.
Do you think the dress lacks a bit of punch? It made me feel sad that I ended up having to make a different dress to the one I had in my head but overall I’m happy.
I wore the dress to my friend’s wedding at Chevin Country Park near Otley, paired with red satin ballet flats, a fabulously gaudy silver necklace that forms a big knot, a matching silver handbag and since it is November, a black wool cardigan. Plus curls, because y’know they’re muchos fun! I think I possibly should have also worn a belt to supply some contrast. I made a black bow belt but it came out looking too twee and didn’t have a bought belt that fit the bill.
So there you go! My last Simplicity 2444 for a while. I should probably hide the pattern from myself right?
47 Comments
sewbusylizzy
I think it’s lovely – sometimes its nice to have a plainer dress because you can wear accessories without overwhelming the dress. Nice job! Pretty fabric. Lovely curls 🙂
almondrock
Thanks! I bloody love curls. I just never have time to do them on a morning.
sewbusylizzy
Just just blow dry my hair upside down & I look like Ozzy Osbourne!
sewlittletime
i think it looks lovely. great save for the precious liberty fabric! and your hair is fab!
almondrock
My preciousssss. Hehe from a lovely curly haired lady that is nice to hear
Clipped Curves
Aww you look so glam in it. I think the fabric pattern match are great (even though your second choice). And thanks for introducing me to Elise’s blog… always good to add another one to the follow list!
almondrock
Thank you! I did feel quite glam which was nice. Elise is a sweetie. Check out her free garden party dress pattern
Marie
YOU are a pretty little number in this and it’s not at all a sad tale! How can a sad tale have such a beautiful ending…this dress is so lovely! Enjoy it for what it is and you’ll find another suitable fabric for your original plans before you know it ;o)
almondrock
Thank you very much m’dear. I do love it and should stop thinking about what could have been
gingermakes
This is so cute and not sad at all! We’ve all been there and made silly drafting errors (or worse, the time when I just didn’t bother checking my measurements and didn’t realize I’d added 1.5″ to my waistline over the winter, so the garment was impossible to zip up!). This dress is really cute and I bet you’ll find you wear it to work and out and about all the time!
almondrock
Thank you! Nice to hear others have been there too. I do definitely love it snd have time to try sureau again
Claire (iwanttobeaturtle)
I love the fabric and it is great to see that you saved it. The dress is very pretty with a simple elegance. I’m sure it will be worn a lot.
almondrock
Thank you! I’m itching to wear it out again 🙂
Miss Demeanour
I like it doll and your hair is v nice too xxx
almondrock
Wow thanks and you’re the queen of good hair! X
Kerry
Very pretty and you look lovely
almondrock
Thanks! It really was a joy to wear in the end
Megan R
So glad you were able to save this one and make a super cute dress. Good job!
almondrock
Thank you! Wooohoo! I’m super happy with it 🙂
Boony
This is so pretty! Sorry to hear it didn’t go as you planned – you live and you learn.
almondrock
Thanks! It really turned out to be a joy to wear so I’m glad in a way. Plenty more time for the sureau
Kat
You look so pretty, loving the curls! (and the dress of course)
almondrock
Aww thank you! Making me blush
Jodie (@scaredstitchles)
I really like this. And a great save with Simplicity 2444. It’s just so easy to keep coming back to that pattern isn’t it? I’m not sure I’m done with it either.
almondrock
Thanks! I don’t blame you. It’s an addictive pattern!!
poppykettle
I Luuuurve that fabric… so sorry to hear the original dress plans didn’t quite work out though! This is still one seriously gorgeous casual dress – 2444 seems to be a blogger favourite 🙂
almondrock
Thank you! Alls well that ends well. I do really love this in the end
Sabs
You look hot!!
I may have to take some responsibility re the sureau for being such a newbie and cutting out the pattern so that you had to grade it, sorry!
almondrock
Bah nonsense lady. I laid my belladone over the top and graded out following the side seam but forgot the darts are different sizes and there’s the centre front to contend with. All due to my rubbish maths! 🙂
Lynne
S2444 requires no apology, because it is fab! Just like your dress! I love your necklace too.
almondrock
Thank you from one 2444 fan to another!
busylizzieinbrizzy
Never put away 2444, it is a brilliant pattern and works beautifully with this fabric.. Lovely!
almondrock
Thank you! Heehee oh ok then, it can stay out a bit longer 😉
Seamsoddlouise
What a great print, I LOVE it. Try not to be too disappointed that it wasn’t what you planned the dress you have is fabulous.
almondrock
Aww thank you! I love it too now. Twirling on the dancefloor cemented it
Neeno - Sew Me Love
Loving your hair in the photos!!!!
Dress is very pretty!!
almondrock
Thanks! I wish I had time to curl my hair every day but I’m always oversleeping heehee
Sandra (Sewist-Stitch)
It’s such a pretty wee dress that you will be able to wear with a number of difference accessories. I love the fabric.
almondrock
Thanks! I’ve been playing around with accessories and it doesn’t clash! It’s great
Gjeometry
Oooh, it does look like a Jackson Pollack painting! Great dress!
almondrock
Aww thanks. I think I might wear it again on xmas day
Nissa Ramsay
Just come across this (had meant to look at Christmas stocking) I’ve got some really similar fabric to this and saving it for a simple pattern, maybe this is the one I should buy!
almondrock
Ooh nice. I totally recommend this pattern. Once you have the fit right it suits pretty much any fabric.
Nissa Ramsay
Have browsed all your 2444’s and this is definitely my fave!
almondrock
Thank you! Think I’ll wear it Christmas day!
char
I love Simplicity 2444. I’ve made quite a few lately – my favourite pattern by far: http://dinoprincesschar.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/give-me-song-and-ill-sing-it-like-i.html
almondrock
Your navy floral version is gorgeous! The tortoises made me smile too. Glad to hear you’ve gotten back into sewing. Look forward to seeing more from you!