Violet Is A Bad Girl


After my first Violet Dress was mistaken for a nightie, I decided that Violet 2.0 was going to be a bad girl! If you ignore the pathetic attempt to channel my inner biker chick (I just look moody), then I think I've succeeded thanks to my fabric choice. I got both the wine-coloured fleck jersey and the quilted glossy jersey from Minerva Crafts for an absolute steal in their sale, but I think they've sold out of both as I can no longer find them online. Sorry!



I can't stress enough how much I love this pattern from Bluegingerdoll Patterns, especially the cool yoke detail, which dependent on fabric choice, can achieve so many different looks. This time round, to match my fierce aesthetic, I decided to omit the bust-line gathers for a less 'girly' bodice. Once again I made this up in a size 10, but where I went wrong was deciding to tinker with the sleeves for a snugger fit. I sized the armholes and sleeves down to an 8, not taking into account that my jersey was much heavier-weight than last time! As a result, the dress has tighter sleeves than desired and the bodice is pretty snug too. However, I've convinced myself this won't be a problem once I lose the extra pounds I gained over festive period! Serious lesson though: when tackling knit projects, really pay attention to your jersey's stretch factor!



I really, really, really love how the quilted yokes turned out! I ended up topstitching most of my seams down as they were quite bulky because a) my fabric was quite thick to begin with and b) I overlocked my seams as, contrary to most jerseys, these two frayed. I quite like the look of the topstitching though, so I don't mind.


The cherry on top of this Violet Dress is that it even fits in with my plans to have fun with knits this year, so it's a pretty good start to 2015 even if I do say so myself! How has your stitching start to the year been? And more importantly, have you whipped up a Violet yet?!?

32 comments:

  1. Love your biker chic Violet! I've got the pattern printed out, but am still picking out my fabrics!

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  2. Fab! I really love the yoke details. This dress is so flattering on you and I bet it is a dream to wear - def not a nightie for sure!!!

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  3. That looks amazing! I love the fabric choices and the blocking. I'm cutting out my Violet this week! :D

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  4. A very cool dress, the yoke detail and everything else! The coolest Violet I've seen so far :)
    I'm going to sew a Violet too this year. I've just bought a serger and Violet is on my top-5 projects to sew with it.

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  5. Looks great, adore the fabric choices. However, I kept getting distracted by your gorgeous cabinet by your fireplace!

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  6. THAT QUILTED JERSEY, dang! love your fabric choices and topstitching and your biker chick attitude suits you :)

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  7. This is gorgeous! Feeling like I may have to add this to my list of projects...

    Another super job, it really suits you xx

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  8. I love the quilted fabric and I think the top stitching really adds that little bit more to the dress! I'm not sure how anyone could have mistaken your first dress for a nightie though…I loved those fabric choices too :-)

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  9. What an awesome Violet! That's the most interesting one that I've seen! I just love that quilted fabric!

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  10. I like the fabric combo and the color really suits you!

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  11. This is so sassy and fun! Love it on you!

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  12. I thought the first Violet was really cute, but this one is definitely my favorite!

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  13. This version of Violet definitely looks edgier than the first, kinda like Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) in the movie Grease after she has her makeover. :-D

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  14. That quilted fabric is amazing. It really gives the dress a whole new look. I'd never thought to change the neckline/gathers. Might steal this idea next time. Must try and finish mine soon and post it.

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  15. That's totally fun, I love it! I would never have thought to use a quilted fabric that way and it looks really awesome!!

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  16. I love that quilted yoke - great idea! I have that same wine coloured jersey, I used mine to make Lindens but it looks great as a dress

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  17. That quilted fabric is fantastic!! Ps - your other Violet dress does NOT look like a nightie!

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  18. Very nice! I love how you mixed the materials and you look great in it!

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  19. I love this!! A seriously cool dress. Great fabric choice with the texture and colors. There's no way this one could be mistaken for a nightie! I'd say mission accomplished ;)

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  20. What a great dress and fabric combination. I love it!

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  21. Holy mackerel! This is fab. You're such a bad girl. Can we still hang out?

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  22. Omg I love it! The quilted yoke is perfection. I'd say there is no way this one will be mistaken for a nightie.

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  23. I love it! The dress looks perfect!

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  24. It's fab! You last version sold me on this pattern, it is definitely on my to do list for this year!

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  25. I love the twist on this pattern! Team biker boots with frocks!

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  26. Nice work! I've been really impressed with your versions of this pattern. I love the topstitching, I think it adds a really nice bit of detail. I really like your boots too, btw!

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  27. Gorgeous!! My Violet is cut and ready to go - blue snakeskin for me!!!!!

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  28. Love this! I think you have definitely done the contrast yokes the best way, and I love the use of the amazing quilted fabric (I have it too and am going to make a sweatshirt and Mabel mini combo). It looks awesome and not too tight at all

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  29. Looks awesome! Love the contrast!

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