Tuesday 26 April 2016

Dresses for Free!


This past week I've had a change from cushions and cross stitch and made a few dresses and tunic tops from what I had in my sewing room.

First up was using a lovely dark floral dress weight cotton that I bought from the flea market a couple of years ago, and I decided to make a simple tunic from an old Prima pattern. 


I can't say it was a particularly happy experience, as after I'd traced off the pattern and cut out the pieces I found to my horror that right down the centre front (where else!) there were a few tiny moth holes! 

Ahh!!!! Horrors!!!!!

After rushing back into my sewing room and frantically checking lots of my fabric stash (all on open shelves! ) I realised I had probably bought the fabric like that - it was only a few pence and I wouldn't have checked it properly at the time. Thankfully I didn't find any other pieces of fabric with holes, and I do keep plenty of lavender bags stuffed amongst my stash, but it struck fear into me and made me seriously think again about re-housing my stash behind doors and not open shelves where I can see it.

I decided to go ahead and make up the tunic anyway after all the faff of tracing off and cutting out the pattern pieces, and once I'd made it up I added a few extra tucks, darts and pleats in strategic places to cover the holes. 

I'm not sure its totally successful as the tunic has lost its loose fit look with all the moth-hole-covering shaping, and I still have to hem it as by this stage I had seriously lost interest in the darn thing, but I may revisit it as I don't like to be defeated and I do like the fabric!

It didn't seem a very good start to getting back into dressmaking after a break of 15 years or so!


Next up I made a tunic type dress with patch pockets from a dress pattern bought a couple of years ago which I adapted for length then raided another pattern for the pockets. Again I used an old fabric picked up second hand for a song, and checked it closely for any sign of moth before cutting into it!


This cotton/linen look grey/blue fabric made up really well and I know it'll be a favourite top as its really comfy to wear.


Next up I found an old favourite dress pattern from the eighties when I used to make lots of my own clothes. I had this dress in a few different fabrics and it was a great casual summer dress. 


I decided to have a bit of fun with the fabrics, and unpicked an old skirt for the lower front and back, then used a combination of old and new fabrics from my stash for the bodice, including a gorgeous Rose and Hubble floral for the two front sides of the top.


I made it shorter than the pattern so it can be worn as a knee length dress - just the type of dress I like to wear pottering around the garden in the summer, although I do need to add pockets I think.



Last but by no means least is my favourite make so far.


A few years ago when I was still fairly new to blogging I came across this brilliant book on someone elses blog. 

I ordered it and blogged about it here way back in 2011! 
At the time I was dead keen to make the skirt but never got round to it.


It's a great book, with patterns included for three simple basic patterns for a skirt, a dress/tunic and a jacket/coat, but then the creativeness of the author shows you many variations using those few basic patterns.

It is the tunic / dress that I made up using the above knee length so I can wear it as either a dress or a as a tunic top over skinny jeans.


I used a large remnant I bought at least 10 years ago from Laura Ashley, a pretty blue floral fine cotton with beautiful drape.


The pattern made up beautifully, it is definitely one I shall make again, and it fits beautifully.


One of the things I have found with these dress patterns is that the sizes on the back of the patterns appear to be very different from those for shop bought clothes - I am usually a 10 or 12 but the measurements given for those sizes on the pattern are much smaller than I am, and so with the first couple of patterns I made I tried to use the pattern which was associated with my measurements (a 14!) rather than the size I usually buy ( a 10 or 12). But they came up rather generous, so having said all that for the last two dresses, which were the best fit, I ignored the measurements and just made my usual size 12. I'm not sure whether this will always be the case though so please don't take my word for it and see what works best for you!


It's hard to see from the photos, but the bodice is gently gathered at the neck and under the bust, empire style, where it joins the flattering smooth fit of the skirt. The sleeves are elasticated on the shoulder so you can adjust for fit, and gathered onto a band and all is top stitched so it looks good.

In a week I've made four dress / tunics from stash fabrics /old clothes, using patterns I already had, so it feels like dresses for free!!!


It's been too bitterly cold here to be outside gardening, hence my current obsession with dressmaking! It's my Birthday next week and I am determined this year to ask hubby for an adjustable dress form so I can really get back into making my own clothes. It's a pain having to strip off all the time to try items on for fit, and getting pricked by pins, as I don't have the patience for measuring and adjusting pattern pieces first, nor for making up a muslin.


Has any one else been dressmaking recently? Any hints, tips, advice??? Any recommended patterns? 

I always use to love the ease of making and the excellent fit of Vogue patterns, and I regularly bought the quarterly magazine as well as lots of their patterns back in the late 80s and early 90s, but even the most basic of patterns seem to cost a fortune now hence my ad-libbing with what I already have for the moment!

Have a good week everyone, and enjoy the May Day bank holiday!


23 comments:

  1. You certainly have been busy, such great makes. I love the style and mix of the dress with the combination of fabrics. Such fun.

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    1. I have been on a roll with the dressmaking! Glad you like the eclectic one!
      Gill xx

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  2. Wow I think you're amaxing being able to make all that from stash stuff! I keep meaning to have a go at making some clothes but bit too scared!

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    1. Just go for it Jill! Best way of learning is by making mistakes, trial and error etc!!
      Thanks for your comment!
      Gill xx

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  3. Wowhow clever you are. I am really impressed. Years ago i mademy own clothes, the pattern gave me always problems because i am a short woman. Changing those patterns wasawful and not always successful........so i decided not to start anymore. What a pity that the shippingcost are so high otherwise i could send you some sheets. But they are sooooooo heavy. I think it will be cheaper to take the ferry and come to France to buy some.......m
    XO

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    1. I know what you mean about changing the patterns, it is much better if you don't have to!
      Next time I visit France I will definitely be looking out for some vintage linen sheets!
      Gill xx

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  4. You HAVE been busy. You are probably like me and get so excited with a cheap flea market or thrift find you forget to inspect closely.
    I really like your imaginative multi-floral dress.

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    1. That's exactly what happens, and I usually have the wrong glasses on so I can't see the flaws!
      Glad you like the hotchpotch dress!
      Gill xx

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  5. Gilly! Good for you and I have missed you...my fault, not yours! I too have the sewing bug and for the same reasons. Unfortunately, at my age I want my legs covered, my arms and a higher neckline! LOL! I did purchase Dottie Angel's pattern which also pieces fabric together and I have been taking apart old clothes too. I love what you made and hope to get some sewing done. I need the clothes too! Toodles! P.S. I was thinking of opening an Etsy shop too with some crochet, vintage and patterns. Do you like Etsy? Any tips? TTYL!

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    1. Great to hear from you Sam, I've replied in an email!
      Gill xx

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  6. Hello Gilly,

    You are certainly productive and I love your new wardrobe.
    It have not machine sewed since leaving school. I do love to hand sew and linen and silks are my favourite materials.

    Hope your weather warms up
    Helen xx

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    1. Hand sewing is very soothing, especially if working with lovely fabrics like silk and linen. I love to work with linen too.
      Its still freezing here, we had snow showers yesterday! I'm sure you're enjoying lots of sunshine where you are Helen!
      Gill xx

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  7. You are clever, I made my own clothes years ago but now live in jeans, track pants and shorts.
    Merle.............

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    1. I know what you mean Merle, I tend to live in jeans and t-shirts but I like dresses and tunics especially in the summer.
      Thanks for visiting!
      Gill xx

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  8. Wow! You are a talented one! Love them all, especially the top & blue dress! Very cute!

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    1. Thanks Mary! Looking forwrad to trying out the pineapple stuffing recipe!
      Gill xx

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  9. Hi Gill
    Well oh well, look at what hidden skills you have. How I wish I could whip up a few dresses just like that. Love the patchwork dress, it would be a favorite for me wearing on sunny days in my garden. I think pockets are a great idea, for holding a scissor or so when not just snipping the flower buds off with your fingers will do.
    Xxx
    Annette

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    1. Hi Annette, lovely to hear from you! Now I know you'd have no problem doing the same given enough hours in the day!
      Glad you like the patchwork dress, I will definitely be adding the patch pockets as then it becomes the ideal pottering around home and garden dress! I remember when wearing the same style years ago it was such a relaxed and comfy dress.
      Gill xx

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  10. Gill these are fabulous and the fact that you tucked, pleated and darted round the moth holes is very impressive - I can barely sew in a straight line! Brilliant that you've used stash and reused other garments - an inspirational post. Love the blue tunic and look forward to seeing your new makes on Friday. Love Jane xx

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  11. Your dressmaking is fantastic!!! I hope that you enjoy wearing all of your lovely makes!

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  12. I especially like the first top you show, where you very successfully worked around moth holes. I like that material. You made several pretty outfits, well done.

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  13. What a productive week you had Gill.....such lovely dresses which I am sure you will love wearing! It is warming up here at last and much nicer in the garden again now. Happy weekend!
    Helen xox

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  14. You made some lovely things Gill! They make me wish I had more time. I used to do a lot of sewing when my daughters were younger. I made dresses, skirts and jackets, for myself too. It must be more than 15 years since I last made something....

    Enjoy your sewing.

    Madelief x

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Thanks for visiting and for taking the time to leave a comment - I love to read them!
Gill x