Thursday, December 29, 2011

I finished the Sew Weekly challenge!!

I can't believe I made it!  I just finished my last Sew Weekly challenge outfit!  It's been a crazy ride and many days I wasn't sure I would make it but.... I officially made it through a whole year of sewing weekly!


This week, in celebration, I thought it was the perfect time to use the pattern I received from the lovely Trish through the Sew Weekly Sewing Circle pattern swap organised by the amazing Kat.

This is the lovely package I got in the swap.  It included an adorable 1950's dress pattern (Butterick 8132), a vintage tea towel (not pictured) and some lovely buttons including two large coconut buttons:


It's such a lovely pattern and was a dream to sew up.  I used some more of the red velvet curtains I used for the ruffled collars and cuffs from last week's outfit.  I took the advice of several commenters on my Scarlett O'Hara dress and ended up pressing the velvet on top of another piece of velvet and it worked like a charm. Thank you!


The dress has three panels in the front and three in the back.  The sleeves are cut in one with the dress so it's really quick to sew up. I absolutely adore this velvet fabric.  It feels like a cotton velvet but it is fairly lightweight and a dream to sew with.  The lining of the curtain is actually fused to the velvet--so it acts as a underlining of sorts.  I changed my needle to a size 11 to work with this fabric and found that was perfect.

This dress has lots of hand sewing... I hand picked the zipper and also hand basted the white bow trim before sewing it on.  The part that took the longest on this dress was the hem!  It required loads of fitting and adjusting of the hem, not to mention that pressing velvet is a slow process.  Since the fabric is a bit thicker and the dress is quite full, I ended up hand basting gathering stitches on the hem.  Then I drew those up and sewed seam binding over the edge before hand hemming the dress.  I think the hem alone took about 3 hours!

Last Giveaway of 2011
As has been the tradition around these parts, I am offering up this pattern for another sewist to give it a shot! It's really a great pattern.  It's a size B32 but since it has princess seam lines and so many panels, it is really easy to grade up by adding just a small amount extra to the seam allowances and it doesn't loose it's shape.  

As with other giveaways, this is open to my readers everywhere.  Just leave a comment on this post answering the question: Which outfit that I've made this year has been your favourite?  I can't wait to hear which ones you liked best!!

The giveaway will close at midnight on January 2nd and I'll pick the winner by random.



Here's to another year of sewing! Thank you all for your lovely comments and support!!

xoxoxo Debi
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45 comments

  1. yay!! i have loved everything you made for the sew weekly - especially loving all these velvet curtain-dresses :) congratulations on completing the whole year!

    as far as my favorite outfit this year - eeeek, i don't know! i love them all like they are my little fabric-children :) i am really proud of my galaxy dress knockoff (http://lladybird.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/completed-the-galaxy-dress-a-loving-ripoff/) but you know what? i haven't even worn it out yet! i know i know, shame on me! haha! i am also really proud of my green wool ceylon (http://lladybird.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/completed-ceylon-v2-0/#comment-638). i do wear that one a lot, though ;) haha

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  2. I have to say I love this one best, it's the only one I've entered to win the pattern despite the fact that I would have to grade up several sizes. Love velvet anyway and in this pattern it's just divine!

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  3. Debi, your journey been a fantastic inspiration . Xx

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  4. Debi...what a lovely dress you have made! The red is very pretty :) I am just starting out on my own sewing journey. I am excited, a bit fearful, but completely ready to begin... :-D

    Maria

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  5. Congrats on finishing the year! This week's dress is stunning. My favorite is still the hooded dress.

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  6. This is just darling! Velvet can be such a crazy fabric to work with, but you've done a magical job here! Truly, its masterful! Lovely!

    As for the giveaway, my favorite project still has to be your Ms. Peacock outfit. I know it was two different projects, but the pencil skirt and Pendrell blouse are so fabulous! Love. it! Happy New year!

    xoxo, Sunni

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  7. Congrats Debi, you can be sooo proud, Happy 2012!

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  8. To be honest I like this one the best! I also loved the 1931 Eva dress Suit from February :)

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  9. What a pretty dress to finish the year with. Congratulations on sewing every week of 2011!

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  10. Debi this is stunning I just love what you did with this pattern and fabric. Congratulations for sticking it out with a pattern a week that is tough and you have a few jobs too which gives you less time. I really think you did fabulous as it's not that easy to accomplish.

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  11. I would have to say that I loved your "Watch Your Back" outfit - possibly more for the great photos rather that just because it looked great. Your Mid-Century Madness is a very close second. I had it bookmarked for a while then realise I'd drive myself nuts trying to find the exact same pattern so I've just got a general shirt-waister on my "maybe get around to sewing someday list"

    Huge congratulations on surviving the year. I only discovered Mena's blog about half way through and I thought you were all incredibly brave (and a bit bonkers) to take part.

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  12. A gorgeous dress Debi! I think my favorite outfit that you made this year was the Raspberry Sorbet dress. It had a great flattering fit, the fabric was bright and cheerful, and the pattern was from the 40's.

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  13. Oh, me me me! And I actually think THIS is my favorite of your year!
    -Sandra

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  14. This dress is amazing - it's even better that you used old curtains! I'd love to be able to reuse fabric like that.

    My favorite dress of yours is definitely the red hooded 40's dress. It's so cute and looks great!

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  15. I loved your Serenity dress. Partially because I loved Firefly and the rest because it turned out so well. I hope you've had a chance to wear it since you made it!

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  16. I have to say that I really love your skirts and woolly creations. They always make me a little green with envy. :) Congrats on a year of amazing work!

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  17. Congratulations on all your wonderful work! I have to say that I loved your "Mid-Century Madness" (I'd wear such a garment everyday if I could) and the red hooded dress (Sorry, guess I couldn't pick just one!). Thanks for all the inspiration! P.S. Love the velvet!

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  18. Congratulations! You are fabulous, here's to another year of your fabulous creations! I just adore this dress, and I love the top you made with sequins, such a labor of love.

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  19. Congratulations Debi! I've enjoyed seeing all your wonderful creations throughout the year - you must have a jam-packed wardrobe now!!

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  20. I don't get a lot done with a one-year-old, but I did get a silver dress together for Christmas that I'm pretty pleased with.

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  21. I'm sorry I don't have time to look it up, but I really liked the outfit with the checked skirt and petrol blouse. Peacock?

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  22. a really lovely dress, great fabric choice! Well done on a whole sewing year at SW you have done an amazing job, I look forward to seeing what you will be doing in 2012, keep enjoying the festive celebrations. Best wishes. x x x

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  23. Well done on your year of Sew Weekly sewing! You have made an amazing selection of outfits. I loved your Scarlett O'Hara curtain dress but my fave is probably the Miss Peacock skirt, which inspired me to buy the same pattern. I have still to make it, but I will! :)

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  24. Nice one Debbie.. Learning how to sew a dress is not an overnight thing. It is a long process. But by regularly practicing this craft, you will be able to master sewing in no time. Start with simple projects such as pillow cases and table runners. These simple projects also require pattern making, sewing with a machine, and sewing straight lines. This will train you how to sew a dress eventually.

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  25. Your "Art Deco Jacket" is my favorite project of your year-of-incredible-sewing. It is a delightful combination of vintage valor, sewing skill, and posting penache! - Lynn

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  26. congratulations, debi! one of my favorite parts of 2011 has been discovering the online sewing world, including the fun that is your blog. i loved meeting you and look forward to following you in 2012 as well. and need i even say it? my favorite outfit was your inara serra dress - best outfit in the 'verse.

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  27. I have really found much inspiration in your blog! So it is hard to choose just one favorite, I am going to say my favorite would be either your 1933 hepburn outfit http://fashionsfromthepast.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-1933-outfit.html or yout trousers http://fashionsfromthepast.blogspot.com/2010/03/yipppeee-1941-trousers-are-finished.html

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  28. Wow Debi, fantastic. Great review and You have been so busy. Thanks for the summary, Happy New Year!

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  29. I liked the Eva dress & jacket you did, but I especially loved the Hawk's eye view dress. I actually pulled a print fabric and a matching blue fabric to make something similar, but the family concerns and then Christmas got in the way. Maybe in 2012!

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  30. I love this dress! My favorite, however, is your raspberry one made from a 1940's pattern.

    Congrats on such a great achievement!

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  31. I just have to say what an inspiration it has been to follow your sewing adventures this year. You've created so many beautiful garments. However, my favourite would have to be that fabulous red 1940s hooded coat/dress with the union jack lining. Everytime I see you post a photo wearing it I wish I had one just the same. I look forward to following you sewing in 2012 :)

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  32. Ah Jesus, I can't pick one... so I'm picking three, one from each season!
    1. Art Deco dress & jacket
    2. Kitten Dress
    3. Around the World in 21 Days Dress

    All of your stuff is lovely and a real inspiration!

    tina_crossgrove(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  33. Yay Debi - another fabulous creation! Love it! :-)

    My fave this year was one of your super early ones - the 1930's Eva Dress dress and jacket. I've found that outfit so inspiring. One of these day's I'm going to be brave enough to attempt to make that pattern up as well (I'm not quite brave enough yet, haha!)

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  34. Hello Debi (this isn't an entry for the pattern, it's far too small for me even if it is gorgeous, if I win please draw again!), but just to say I have waited every week to see your creation on TSW. I loved your 1933 Hepburn dress. It was perfect. I also liked your 40s red hooded dress as I got to see it in person. Thank you so much for being an inspiration all year xxx

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  35. Debi, you are amazing! You've done such a great job finishing all these challenges and making so many beautiful garments in just one year!

    It is really hard to just pick one favourite - I think we have a very similar taste, so basically I love all of them. But, after clicking around for a long while, one of the dresses stuck in my head - The Royal Wedding one!

    I wish you a Happy New year and a lovely end to this one!
    xoxo
    Ewa

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  36. Congratulations, Debi! Does that mean you're having a rest next year?!

    Lovely giveaway, thank you for the opportunity to win such a pretty pattern (in my size to boot!). My favourite outfit you made was the really unusual vintage jacket you made in January (number 2 in your round up collage). It looked really complicated so I remember being mega impressed. A great way to kick off a year of wonderful sewing for you!

    xx

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  37. How can I pick just one favourite? This is impossible.

    I love the "We were made for each other" skirt and blouse; the colour of your Pendrell is gorgeous and the skirt with it... I also love the Razzle Dazzle blouse, the Now or Never halter and love the shape of this Celebration dress. It's so hard, I think the Pendrell and Celebration dress, just because the fit and shapes are so classic.

    You must have a very full wardrobe of clothes now!

    Congratulations on such a productive year. Happy Hogmanay! Here's to 2012!
    xx

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  38. IT's a beautiful dress, I admire your courage in working with velvet. I just finished a dress in a red satin. That was a learning experience, I can tell you.
    My favorite thing you've sewn so far is your 1935 cape. One of my next sewing projects is a cape, and I'm collecting ideas for it, and which details I like the best.

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  39. Oh, wow, so hard to decide... the Scarlett O'Hara dress was so beautiful, as was your 50's wiggle dress, but I think I liked the patio dress best of all! It was so bright and fun!

    Congrats on finishing the Sew Weekly challenge! It's been such a treat to see all your makes! Can't wait to see what 2012 brings!

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  40. It is a lovely dress.

    Happy New Year!

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  41. How crazy that you've been able to sew a dress a week! A truly amazing feat!

    What a lovely holiday dress; and thanks for offering up this pattern for this giveaway.

    Happy New Year to you.

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  42. Oh goodness, I loved several of your dresses and I looked forward to seeing your creations the most! But I have to say The "Kitten" dress was the one I probably liked the most.

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  43. You've achieved such a huge amount of allsorts this year debi. I've loved following your take on all the challenges, your use of vintage patterns and so many thrifts fabrics too. This is a fab dress, perfectly seasonal. You are a blogging superstar! X

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  44. BRAVO! A standing ovation for you, my dear!!!

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I read each and every comment--thank you so much!

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