#sewdollyclackett Time for Tea Dress


After warming up for #SewDollyClackett with my Springtime Cambie Dress, I've managed to squeeze the 'real deal' in for today's deadline! I'm seriously loving my Time for Tea dress (see how I even named it a la Miss Dolly Clackett herself), so be warned of the 'smiley chipmunk' photos below. There's a reason why I don't usually smile like this for photos, but being dressed like Roisin feels ridiculously great!


The pattern is none other than Christine Hayes' Emery Dress, which Roisin herself is a big fan of. One of my favourite details is the A-line shape of the skirt, which I think looks a lot prettier than a rectangular gathered skirt. Remarkably, I cut out a size 4 and hardly made any adjustments at all! I just stitched the bodice side seams at 1cm rather than 1.5cm and chopped 3cm off the skirt length before hemming. I didn't even have to shorten the bodice or adjust the back and shoulder area! So, believe the hype people...this pattern is a keeper! Although, I suspect that if you're not particularly petite like I am, it may be a slightly different story. 




As you can see, I opted for the 'no frills' version of Emery, as my fabric print is busy enough. I did include contrasting pockets though, for added secret fun! Construction wise, Emery is a breeze to stitch up. However, due to preferences alone, I did / will do a couple of things slightly differently next time. Because I like overlocking my seams where possible, I finished my pocket and skirt seams before sewing up. So I overlocked the curved sides of all four pocket pieces, as well as the centre back skirt seams. I then pinned my pockets to the skirt side seams as instructed and overlocked the straight edge of the pocket together with the side seam. If this is unclear and a 'how-to' would be helpful, just shout as I took a couple of pictures.

The other thing I would change next time is the way the bodice lining is attached. I can't deny that the suggested method is very clever and neat, but I find that my lining keeps catching in the zip. As much as I hate hand sewing, catch-stitching the lining to the zip prevents this from happening. Minor gripes though, which aren't gripes at all!




Other than my choice of sewing pattern, I think you'll agree that what makes this #SewDollyClackett is the fabric print of course! It's a beautiful cotton lawn from my favourite fabric shop in Leicester and I can't stop feeling giddy every time I look at it! Now to actually fill my kitchen with identical crockery!



Hilariously, and I couldn't have planned this if I tried, I've ended up with a 'milk' jug on my...errr...left jug! Luckily it's not too noticeable...is it?!?


Apparently, using props for photos can make you feel like a right idiot! But how could I resist such a fitting opportunity to pose with my stunning 1930s tea-set?!?



A huge thank you to the lovely Sarah of Rhinestones and Telephones for coming up with such a fun challenge (and possibly the best wedding gift Roisin could dream of), and of course to the gorgeous Roisin herself for inspiring countless stitchers around the world with her unique sense of style! 

Have you taken part in #SewDollyClackett? If not, you seriously have to check out the Sew Dolly Clackett Flickr Group!

90 comments:

  1. Adorable! Gorgeous fabric, beautiful pattern on you, great finishing inside. Love it all.

    I couldn't stop grinning in my sewdollyclackett kitty dreams dress either - there's something to be learned from that!

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    1. Thank you Katie and yes, there's definitely a good lesson here!

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  2. I love love love this dress so much! The print is amazing, it's so super neat and I love the striped pockets with the fabric!
    I have taken part but I don't think I have much chance against all of the lovely dresses.

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    1. Thanks so much char, your dress is gorgeous too my dear!!!

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  3. Seriously cute, I love this print and it looks fabulous as a dress. So neat on the inside too. So many lovey dresses in this competiton.

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    1. Thanks Louise! The competition has been such fun!

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  4. That print is so amazing I love teapots. My first job was in a tea shop where they had shelf fulls of old decorative ones and my favourite job was getting them down to clean them.

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    1. That sounds like such a cool job ;o)

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  5. it's lovely! great print. i'm not keen on the lining finish on this either. it seems to give me wrinkles which weren't there before the hand sewing! and the print is so busy you couldn't have avoided jugs on your jugs!

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    1. Thanks Jo, glad to know I'm not the only one not too keen on that lining method!

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  6. Oh my goodness that dress is divine! Love the style, the print and it looks amazing on you - AMAZING job! :)

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  7. This dress is so much fun! I know what you mean about the lining - there have been a few times when I thought I was actually stuck in my Emery because the lining was caught in the zip!

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    1. Thanks Claire and right back at ya for your dress! Silly linings!!!

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  8. In love with your fabric … one of my favourite Dolly Clackett makes so far!

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  9. ARRGH. This is too lovely for my eyeballs!!! I am sure you could tweak the lining design a little for your next one. Now I'm off to lie down as I'm overcome with dress envy.

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    1. Haha, love that you need a lie down now...thanks beautiful!

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  10. This is my favourite DollyClackett entry so far! :) A dress with teapots all over it....can't argue with that!

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  11. Wow that looks fab, I totally love the pockets!

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  12. I love this dress, and your tea set is so pretty too!

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    1. Thanks Nicole...the tea set is my pride and joy ;o)

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  13. Delightful! It made me smile this morning when I saw it! And you look gorgeous in it. :)

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  14. Waaahhhh!! Marie!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress! I am a total tea maniac and am head-over-heels for your lovely creation!

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    1. Haha, thank you Sarah...genius idea my friend!

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  15. Oh I love this so much!! That picture of you cracking up with your tea set is PRICELESS!! You're just too cute for words!

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    1. Thank you Sallie, you're pretty darned cute too!

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  16. Gorgeous! This is so pretty!

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  17. Fantastic! A gorgeous style which really suits you and an incredible print - basically, a great Dolly Clackett dress :) Loving the range of entries!

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  18. How absolutely adorable! And, the photo with the green teapot and cup is such a cute way to play up the theme of the pattern. Also, I think you have a lovely smile!

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    1. Aaaw, thanks so much Michelle! I always think I look like a chipmunk when I smile, but thank you ;o)

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  19. I love it! The fabric is so fun, and Emery is definitely a winner in my book. I know what you mean about Dolly Clackett style dress making you feel happy - mine just makes me smile whenever I put it on!

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    1. Thanks! Yes, Emery's a keeper and #sewdollyclackett is good for our health methinks!

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  20. I am in love with your fabric!! You are so fabulous in these photos, especially with those divine shoes and that green teapot - perfect :) Marvelous job!

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    1. Thanks so much Meg, you're such a honey!

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  21. Just gorgeous! And I love the 'jug' placement!

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    1. Hehe, made me laugh when I realised too! I'm just relieved the milk jug isn't any bigger!

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  22. Ohhh!! So cute!!! love the fabric!!

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  23. This is one of my favourites, it's gorgeous!

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  24. This dress is amazing! Do you know what brand/make of fabric it is please? If I don't have some of this fabric in my life I think I'll sob! Thanks!

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    1. Thank you! So sorry for the late reply...I think my selvedge said something like 40s by 40s on it...not sure if this is helpful. But, a lovely reader linked to it in a different colourway here - http://www.stitchfabrics.co.uk/tea-set-blue.html

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  25. The fabric is stunning and the bodice fit is really great. It's funny how a gathered skirt with a-line sides is so different from a dirndl style - the latter I can't wear AT ALL because they make my hips look two buses wide, but I can do the former

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    1. Yes, I know exactly what you mean about the A-line gathered skirt...it's genius!

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  26. I LOVE this dress! And the pocket detail - swoon. And I love seeing your smile. Dolly Clackett would be proud.

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  27. Oh is that ever an adorable Emery!! Doing Roisin proud once again and also making me kick myself once again for not getting a dress done in time, dangit! But back to your wonderful tea time dress, the print is so perfect and I LOVE that your contrasting pockets are stripey, how fun. It's a super style on you and I love it with those shoes. Your 30s tea set is lovely, too!

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    1. Thanks a million Tasha! I'm sure you could have pulled out one of your existing makes and claimed it for the competition...you have such a great eye for fun prints and colours!

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  28. That fabric is too fun! Great dress.

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  29. This is some of the best fabric I have seen in ages! Soooo lovely! X

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  30. This is a divine dress and I adore those pockets! And that tea set!! I thought about participating, but there's a dearth of suitably printed fabric in my stash - I should have just gone off and bought some :)

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    1. Thank you so much for the kind words...you definitely should go out and buy some outrageous fabric...I maintain it's good for our health ;o)

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  31. SOSOSOSOSO CUTE! Love the teapots, and perfect props!!!

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  32. That dress is amazing. I made Christine's sassy librarian blouse with the same fabric and I love it

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    1. Oooh, love that blouse pattern and I get it looks amazing in this fabric ;o)

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  33. I think this is my favorite entry.That fabric is amazing and you look absolutely adorable in it!

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  34. Nice jugs!!

    Seriously though, love this fabric <3

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  35. My goodness, that dress is so CUTE! I love the pocket detail. I had to keep scrolling up and down to keep looking at it!

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  36. MARIE. This is PERFECT. I love love love love LOVE this dress! You look pretty as a picture- love your beautiful smile! I don't even have the words for how much I love this dress!

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    1. Thank you SO much Sonja, you're way too kind!xx

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  37. Beyond fabulous. That fabric is amazing!

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  38. Love this dress. You did a super job

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  39. Gorgeous, I love that print and it seems I really must get myself that Emery pattern!!

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  40. You look beautiful! I love the fabric you picked. What a perfect roisin inspired dress.

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  41. Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous - as ever! Your stripey pocket lining photo made me smile :) Love all your photos and the fit of this creation!

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  42. Beautiful dress - love it and love the photos -very much Roisin and very cool fabric love the pocket detail too

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  43. I'm so late to this party but just had to agree with everyone else and say - gorgeous dress!! I love it so much, and your photos made me giggle. Totally in love with your stripey pockets - fab!!!

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    1. It's never too late to leave a lovely comment, much appreciated ;o)

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  44. Dang, you are good at setting in sleeves! Teach me your ways! Mine always pucker and I have to unpick the basting stitches 75234503452 times.

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    1. Haha, you think so? Thank you! Wish you could pop over to my house for a crafternoon ;o)

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  45. This is so gorgeous. The shape is lovely on you and that fabric's pattern is AWESOME! Want!

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  46. I LOVE this! Looks amazing with the stripey pockets :-)

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