So here we are, at the very end of One Pattern Seven Bloggers, and I'm delighted to report that I have successfully completed the project! Thank you Sam - All things quilty...and sewy - for being the mastermind behind this idea and for seeing enough potential in me to ask me to join in.



Brief recap:

For those of you who don't know, the idea behind One Pattern Seven Bloggers was for us to take to take this BurdaStyle pattern and put our own spin on it, in four weeks. For anyone wanting to look back at how we all got on, the schedule was as follows:





Lessons learned:

I found out a lot about myself during this project. Probably stemming from the fact that I'm an only child, I usually like to work alone and at my own pace. However, working to weekly deadlines and not wanting to let others down, really helped to keep me motivated and on track. There were times when I wanted to quit and probably would have if I was working alone – the bodice took about three muslins to get right and the collar was definitely a challenge to draft – but there was no way I could let the other girls down. My dress is by no means perfect, but it's definitely wearable with a belt. I'm particularly proud of it, as it was practically self-drafted because the BurdaStyle pattern came without skirt pieces, I had to re-work the bodice A LOT and I drafted the collar. I also managed to use fabric solely from my stash, so that was a bonus!

Anyway, without further ado here are some pictures, which were only possible due to the sun's decision to grace us for an hour or so yesterday:

 

 


Close up of my collar, which was drafted using Casey's excellent 30s scalloped collar tutorial. I think it really makes what would otherwise be a very plain dress.




I also wanted to do things properly, so I top stitched my scallops and under stiched my neckline...are you impressed?


Not that I'm obsessed with Casey or anything, but I also used her method of inserting a 1940s-style side seam zip.


I also lined my bodice, which has made this my neatest self-made dress on the inside.


Check out how the other gorgeous girls' dresses came out:

Rachel - My Messings





Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Last week, my luxurious order from Ohhh Lulu arrived and I really could not be any more delighted.

Abigail Ruffled Floral Bloomer Panties – these are so soft, yet feel  really sturdy:



Gauzy Cabbage Rose Romper – check out the cute vintage buttons:



I've been a long-time fan of Sarah Elaine's creations – who also blogs over at Ohhh Lulu - for being, in my humble opinion, some of the most romantic and imaginative designs out there. If you've never checked out her Etsy store, you really are missing a treat! She's currently working on expanding her vintage-inspired swimwear collection too...how exciting!

Here's a flavour of what's in my future wishlist – all images are courtesy of Ohhh Lulu's Etsy store:




Romantic - Victoria Sheer Pinstripe & Lace Chemise Camisole


Dreamy - Creamy White Daydream Romper Bodysuit (sold out at the moment, but I'm sure they'll be more to come considering how popular this little number has been)


Saturday, May 28, 2011

Ever since I saw Casey's 30s scalloped collar tutorial (Part 1 & Part 2) I was totally smitten and itching to try it out. Casey incorporates it into the Sewaholic Pendrell Blouse pattern, but I figured I would try my hand at adapting it for my One Pattern Seven Bloggers dress. As this is the penultimate week of One Pattern Seven Bloggers week and we are required to share techniques, I thought I'd let you know how I got on.

**Disclaimers**
  1. If you plan on trying this out, please follow Casey's excellent tutorial to the word and ignore pretty much everything I've done.
  2. The fabric you see below is not my 'fashion fabric', it's merely what I used for my second muslin.
  3. I had little time this week and no compass to help me test this collar out, so it really is a very rough mock-up to gauge if it would work. 

Phew, now that I've made my excuses, I shall proceed!

As I said before, Casey uses the Sewaholic Pendrell Blouse as her basis, so to begin with, I laid my bodice flat and traced the front half and back half of the neckline.



Sadly, I tried to cut corners and so I added a seam allowance before drawing my wonky scallops, meaning I ended up with a scallop strip that was too long. I'd rather make mistakes on my muslin any day though!



I then sewed the collar together, taking care to follow Casey's instructions closely!



Because I plan on lining my bodice, I sandwiched my collar between the right sides of my bodice and lining, sewed all around and then turned the lining to the inside. The result was like magic... no raw edges! No a bad result considering my calculations were off and the collar falls short at the front. I think with precision and the right instruments, I can make this work for the real thing...do you?




For more techniques and handy tips, check out what the other six ladies have been up to:

Reana Louise shows us how to make lace trimmed bias tape - Curves, Patterns and Pins 

Kat talks french seams, bow belts and peter pan collars - Petticoats & Peplums 

Rachel shares a brilliant in-seam pocket tutorial - My Messings 

Jen takes us through perfect dart making - Pretty Little Pictures 

Amy shows us how to line a bodice - Sewing Through the Motions 

Sam has a self-fabric belt tutorial in store for Saturday - All things quilty...and sewy

Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I'm very excited to announce that I've been interviewed for the very first time about my sewing and to top it all off, it's by the super-talented Karen of Did You Make That?. Granted, the interview's not actually about anything decent I've made! Instead, I've joined the 'Ugly Amnesty' hall of fame, but I'm excited nonetheless...hehe!

If you fancy checking out an even scarier picture of me than the one below, then head over to Karen's blog and give Ugly Amnesty 3 – The Nanny McScareDress a read.




Monday, May 23, 2011
Dearest readers, I want to thank all of you who gave me brilliant advice regarding my first crescent skirt muslin. Thanks to your comments, I now have a muslin that I'm really happy with, making me believe that I can actually carry this style off.

BEFORE...


AFTER...


I took on board your comments to trim some height off the waistband, which has worked wonders in elongating my torso. I also took the hem up by an inch, which I think is more flattering as it's still 'long' without swamping me. When I come to sew up my actual skirt, I will also take in the side seams just a touch. 

Lastly, I agreed with your comments that a dark fabric will work best for my shape. I'm so happy with what I've found, it's dark yet perfect for summer with it's little anchor and polka dot print:


What do you think lovely people? Is it safe for me to start cutting my fashion fabric? Do you approve of the  changes I've made?   
Saturday, May 21, 2011
It's that One Pattern Seven Bloggers time of the week again readers and I'm letting out a big sigh of relief that this week I'm taking you through my fabric choice. A hideously busy work schedule has left me with no time for sewing lately, so I've not been able to perfect my muslin and I'm desperately hoping that I'll be able to catch up and meet the deadline...which is now only two weeks away...eeek!


Anyway, onto less scary things...FABRIC!!! Controversially, I think I've decided to go with my plum-coloured-heavy-eyelet-type fabric. I know it wasn't your favourite and it wasn't mine to begin with, but I think a heavier fabric will give the dress more stability and will work better for my pleats. I also think a block colour will be more flattering and will make my 1930s-style collar pop if I make it from the second fabric pictured. In case you're wondering, I'm hoping to use Casey's wonderful tutorial to help me on my way with the collar.



Make sure you take a peek at what the other girls have been up to for their One Pattern Seven Bloggers project:

Reana Louise has been poorly, but is confident she'll make up the time and meet the deadline - Curves, Patterns and Pins

Kat learns a valuable lesson or two - Petticoats & Peplums 

Rachel has mistaken a stroke of genius for cheating - My Messings

Jen is making good progress with her muslin and promises a pleats tutorial for next week - Pretty Little Pictures 

Amy takes us through her bargain fabric finds - Sewing Through the Motions

Sam updates us from Honolulu - All things quilty...and sewy 

Do stay tuned as next week we'll be posting about techniques we used and the week after is the big reveal... *squeal*!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
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