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.
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.
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!*
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!
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!
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.
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
gingermakes
This is so cute on you! I love it!
almondrock
Well thank you!
thisblogisnotforyou
This dress is so adorable! Although I’m usually not into floral patterns, this fabric is gorgeous and looks great on you!
almondrock
Thank you! I’m very picky about what I consider a “good” floral. I think I lucked out with this one
Claire (iwanttobeaturtle)
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.
almondrock
Aaah me too. Thanks for the lovely comments
BusyLizzie
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!!
almondrock
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.
Dreaming of Avonlea
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!
almondrock
Ahh thanks! Glad to have your backing on the buttons!
Fancydress-girl
Just lovin your work!
Di
almondrock
Thanks so much!
Kelly
Gorgeous Amy! And you can never have enough floral print dresses!
almondrock
Oooh that’s the perfect thing to say to me. No my floral-mania can run wild! 😉
mancunianvintage
Ooh it looks lovely – looking forward to seeing even more florals! :p
http://www.mancunianvintage.com
almondrock
Thank you! I must go vote for you in the vintage awards. Glad you commented as it reminded me.
mancunianvintage
Yay! Thanks m’dear 🙂 x
Vicki Kate
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!
almondrock
Ahhh a lovely flora. I can just picture it. I can also picture delicious sunshine. Hopefully both aren’t too far off
Sabs
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…
almondrock
Aaah thank you. I really regret not buying more aeroplane fabric. I hope your well lovely lady!
Helen
Gorgeous frock, I really like shirt dresses, not sure my sewing skills are capable of making one though
http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/
almondrock
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?
Lynne
Gorgeous! Yey to big flowers and ignoring instructions!
almondrock
High five!! Glad you’re a rebel too
bernieandi
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!
almondrock
Thanks! Mmmm tea is delicious. Maybe in a nice English garden somewhere
The Amazing Taracat
That is bloody gorgeous, love it! And yay to ignoring instructions.Off to check out that shop now.
almondrock
Wahoo!! Thanks. There’s some crossover with abakhans but tex exp do free samples and very fast shipping
ShanniLoves
Ack I have this pattern, why haven’t I not made it yet!!! It’s clearly awesome!!
almondrock
Thank you! I totally recommend it 🙂
bellaindustries
Wow, love that pattern & the vintage-y fabric really works well. So pretty & it’s very flattering on you…
almondrock
Awww thank you!!
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ooobop!
Lovely, lovely Amy in my favourite kinda dress in bloomin’ gorgeous fabric. What’s not to love! x
almondrock
Awww thank you! I really love this one 🙂
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