Move over Elsa, there's a new Ice Princess in town. I am beyond excited to share my most recent make on my newly relaunched blog (*squealing with excitement*). As with a lot of my upcoming makes, this was an 'unfinished object' or UFO in sewing world lingo. I originally started cutting out the pieces to this dress during December 2016!
I used a Butterick reissued retro pattern originally from the year 1950. I just fell in love with the bodice shape, the collar, raglan sleeves and the pockets...oh the pockets!!
As many of you know, I sew primarily with true vintage patterns and have hit or miss success with reissued or new pattens. But this pattern is PHENOMENAL. I adore it so much (already dreaming of all the pretty fabrics I could make it in as well as SOLIDS with contrasting bows...gah, the possibilities are endless!)
The fabric is a great polished cotton snowflake print that I picked up in the Philippines in 2016. The fabric is gorgeous --beautiful and sparkly. This poor fabric and pattern were sitting in my projects storage box (oh yes, I have several projects started but not finished). Then something extraordinary happened. It snowed A LOT in Edinburgh. This is pretty rare. I know you think it would snow a lot here since we are so far north but that last time I remember snow that stuck for multiple days was in 2010.
Suddenly this project sprung to the top of my sewing queue and with gusto! I really wanted to finish this great pattern and capture the beautiful fabric with a snowy Edinburgh backdrop. I seriously felt like I was back in my 'Sew Weekly' days with adrenaline pumping to finish this dress before all the snow melted! It was such a nice change to be so focused on one project.
I'm so giddy with how it turned out. I just adore the pattern and fit. And those pockets with the adorable little bows (which thankfully don't have to be turned inside out to be sewn. phew! thank you Butterick!)
I didn't really spend much time on pattern matching since the snowflakes are a bit asymmetrical across the fabric. I also really like how the pockets blend in slightly until you see that sweet little detail.
The dress closes with a side zipper and I'm really pleased with the bodice fit. The collar got a bit tricky but only because I used some fusible interfacing that got a bit wrinkly and required lots of coaxing with the iron to straighten out.
Looking at the fit of the back, I could probably have taken a quarter of an inch off the back to prevent the wrinkling...but not bad overall. And unlike the early 1940s patterns – attaching the bodice to the skirt is super easy (right sides together unlike the overlapped and topstitched early 40s patterns).
And boy, did Edinburgh cooperate with the naturally beautiful backdrop. I literally feel like a snow princess in these photos which were taken by the seriously talented @Dashiee (on instagram) in Holyrood Park. It seriously looks like we are deep in the Highlands!
And the dress (and backdrop) match my vintage accessories. I got the late 1920s ermine cape from Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair in Edinburgh about a year ago and I literally bought the white muff on a whim two weekends ago from my dear friend Rachel's vintage store (Carnivale Vintage) before this dress was a serious contender for finishing. I'm so glad I did--isn't it cute (and very functionally warm)?
Yippeee....LOVE this dress and look forward to making more with this pattern. And a perfect project to celebrate the relaunch of my blog :)
That’s beautiful, and I adore those pockets! Enjoy the snow!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are back! That is a very pretty print and the style is one that would be lovely in a bright floral or other seasonal print. Perhaps flowers that bloom in your location :)?
ReplyDeleteYay! This dress is great and you are back!
ReplyDeleteAs we would have whispered back in the day, “Pardon me- Your slop is showing”
ReplyDeleteSlip! I meant slip!
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