When going through my wardrobe in the #konMari process, I realised I wanted more dresses. Today, I present three new additions to my closet!
The first two were ones which were living in my mother-in-law's warehouse and I was gifted them when we were cleaning up.
The first is a basic loose shape (so it is helped by a belt) but I find the pattern charming and the fabric is comfortable. Incredibly easy to wear. I've dressed it up here with a lovely frangipani head piece made by my talented sister of
Tanith Rowan Designs.
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| Free is the best price. |
The second is this striking metallic dress. It is sadly a little bit scratchy around the neck and sleeve hems but I'm willing to put up with that for the awesome retro vibe. I have not worn this out yet and am still pondering how best to style it.
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| I try not to laugh as the toddler creates behind the scenes havoc |
The third dress joining my wardrobe is one I've made myself. It is my first try making a garment from stretch fabric, using specialty stitches on the sewing machine. For many years I avoided knits "until I got an overlocker" but lately I've been willing to experiment. I'm very happy that I pushed myself, because the machine did better than I expected and it opens up lots of new options for me.
It is an incredibly basic caftan dress sewn from two rectangles of fabric, as explained in
this online tutorial. I used stash burgundy jersey, sewing the seams by machine, but doing the neck, sleeve and bottom hems by hand. Dame Esmerelda helped with that process.
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| Using my dress form to sew the neckline. |
You end up with a straight, shapeless dress (with quite nice drapey short "sleeves"), and I personally wouldn't wear it without a belt.
I also made a long belt of the same fabric from the leftovers. As a change, I added a cloche and a pansy brooch for a 1920s vibe.
I don't usually take outfit photos for the blog and the little boy was very interested in the process. We have quite a few photographs featuring a short photobomber.
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| Just like this. |
Three great dresses! I like the twenties styling of the one you made, it really suits you. All great colours and fabrics. And I'd forgotten about that head piece!
ReplyDeleteI get a lot of good comments whenever I wear that headband.
DeleteAww, what a cute little photobomber. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat dresses! Three new ones is a serious boon to just about anyone's wardrobe and these style me as styles that will get a lot of wear. Perhaps with #2, that's a bit scratchy, you could but a thin long sleeve top (or even a thermal/long john style shirt) under it to help cut down on that element a bit. I used to do that for some lovely, but rather "pokey" (due to metallic threads) work blouses that I had eons ago.
Wishing you a fantastic June!
♥ Jessica
Thanks Jessica! Yes, three new dresses is a lovely boost. That's a good tip about wearing something under the scratchy dress - not always a comfortable option in Australian heat, but I doubt I'd wear this dress in the height of summer anyway.
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