Hello sewing chums,
I normally try to post each weekend with an occasional mid-week post but the combination of end of term madness and Wimbledon has meant that I have fallen behind with my self-imposed schedule … now I get why the more sophisticated bloggers schedule posts. Still, I have been active on Instagram and am very pleased with just how frequently I am wearing my own makes these days. Anyway, the only reason I am bothering to give you this little explanation is just in case you were following my progress at the Sew Over It studio to make my Vintage Shirt Dress; I blogged Week One, then Week Two – were you having restless nights worrying about what happened on Week Three? Well fret no more – it’s finished!
I have to admit the final workshop was not a happy experience for me. Following the problems of the previous week I had done a lot of work at home to get back on track and arrived at the class with only the neckline facing, buttonholes and hemming to go. The first task we all had to do was choose fabric for our next shirtdress. Lisa had kindly arranged for each of us to have a new pattern and fabric so that we could make another shirtdress (if you read about week two you’ll understand this). I picked a floral in deep, rich colours which I thought would make a great layering shirtdress in the cooler months (what is the matter with me thinking about autumn at the start of the summer holidays?) but yesterday when I was wearing my Gabriola and thinking about how much I enjoy wearing a maxi, I suddenly realised what a great maxi it would make.
Anyway, back to class. The neck facing went on swiftly and I began to get excited thinking I might actually be able to wear it to see The Importance of Being Earnest later that week (a theatre trip with colleagues to see farewell to a lovely lady who had been at our school for 29 years). Well, that was SO the wrong thing to do. Once I had had that thought, nothing went right. I spent about two hours faffing about with the buttonholes and didn’t get a single one finished. It turned out my machine was at fault but by the time that was established I was in a complete strop and left the workshop in tears. Apologies to Julie if you read this. I must repeat here what a wonderfully patient sewing teacher Julie is.
Another frustrating feature about this is that my own machine had a fault with the button hole function and as I haven’t got it fixed, I couldn’t finish my frock at home. Hoorah for working in a school – I went to the textiles room after work and finished my button holes.
I struggled to get decent photos – tried to get a few in the garden but it was overcast and the others were taken at school on my first day of wearing the dress. It was Prize Giving day (linked to Y13 leavers) so it was actually worn under my academic gown (no photos of that piece of ridiculousness). Thanks to my colleague Liz for taking photos in the library for me.
I will definitely make the dress again – I actually really like it and it fits well after all the alterations but next time I will make it in the right size.
I really must comment on the gorgeous fabric. It’s Liberty Tana Lawn bought in Cloth Kits, Chichester. They always have a good selection of Liberty including some on sale (which this was). The design is Winter Dreams of Spring and if you study it closely all sorts of lovely things come into focus but from a bit of a distance it looks rather subtle. I bought three metres as the pattern suggested I needed and managed to also get out of it a Sorbetto (of course I did) and made a tie for my colleague to celebrate him passing his NQT year.
I haven’t seen the tie on yet as I only gave it to my colleague on Friday – the last day of term – but he seemed pleased with it.
Well, it’s been a picture heavy post and not too many details about the actual shirtdress. I think that’s because the making process was fraught and not a happy experience for me so I didn’t want to dwell on the detail but I am certainly pleased with the outcome.
And so begins, seven happy weeks of holidays with much reading, sewing, running, tennis, cooking and hopefully blogging planned.
Toodle pip,
Clarinda x
Such a shame it was a less than stellar experience but it still looks great. I love the tie too 🙂
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Thank you!
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Hi. Ooh I must have left the class before the tears. I had problems with my buttonholes in class and my machine did three perfectly before messing up two of them. I decided to call it a day at that point. But I think that the problem was my fabric which was is very dense. My dress is still unfinished. I have taken my elderly Pfaff machine to be serviced before I attempting any more buttonholes – not its strength at the best of times. Can’t wait to finish and wear it. Love your fabric. x
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I was SO frustrated! If I haven’t been banned I’m going to do the Ultimate Shirt class in September – I haven’t done a collar with a stand or cuffs yet. Bought some lovely daisy fabric today in Cath Kitson for only £8 a metre – down from £20. Happy Sewing!
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This looks lovely on you and well done for persevering when the odds were stacked against you! I’m in the middle of making this dress too minus the sleeves. After seeing yours I know I’m going to love it! 🙂
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Looking forward to seeing yours. I really love mine. Have got quite a few things on my To Do list and at the moment a second one is third.
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Enjoy your break! Do you think that the amount that you have learnt along the way makes up for the struggle? In which case it is a huge success!
I always thought that a shirt dress would be one of the most complicated things to make so hats off to you.
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I have learnt a lot – I am looking forward to the next one as being a calmer experience! Hope your new job is going well x
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Isn’t to strange how some makes are a nightmare from start to finish?! Your dress is gorgeous though, and I love the idea of a maxi version.
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That’s why I make so many Sorbettos – success guaranteed!
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It is a gorgeous fabric! I didn’t notice the cats until the close up. They are cats, aren’t they?
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I think they are foxes – stood up on hind legs with “arms” crossed. I love the little skateboarders and the hare wearing a jacket. I’m wearing the dress today to a funeral and it feels surprisingly apt.
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Well it is great fabric, unique!
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Loving the fabric, and cannot believe you can throw a strop! hope it ws a good one.
My two fave machines are ‘off’ their buttonholes at the moment, it is causing me no end of trouble and reducing the choices I want to sew…..
bestest daisy j x
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My machine has never sewn them. It does the bottom bar, one side and then stops. It’s still in guarantee but I haven’t taken it back as I heard they could have it for up to six weeks – what would I do with myself?!
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Looks lovely, despite the tears… Love how you managed to get both a Sorbetto and a tie out of the leftovers too 🙂 And happy holidays!
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I am so used to squeezing something else out, I cut an Anna today with nothing left over and felt positively cheated! Have a lovely summer holidays too x
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Love it, but then you always use such nice fabrics to work with 🙂
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I think your dress looks lovely even though the construction process wasn’t as happy as hoped! If you’re seeing The Importance of Being Earnest in London, it is fabulous!
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Hi, yes I have seen it. I agree – Suchet is a triumph!
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Another sorbetto? It’s becoming your favorite lattern, isn’t it? 😀 I love Sew Over It. Even though I’m American. I would love to take a class from them! I’m glad this dress worked out. It works wonderfully as a tie and top, too! How much fabric did you have after finishing the dress?
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Hi Abigail, of course another Sorbetto! I reckon I got the dress out of just over two metres. I couldn’t cut the tie on the cross grain and the Sorbetto is slightly shorter. Perhaps you’ll just have to come to England!
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It’s on my too do list! 😀
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Ah, so pleased to see your finished dress – it’s turned out beautifully, despite the ups and downs of its construction! It’s nice to see a long sleeved version too, which I think is a perfect match for that classy fabric. Have a good summer break. x
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Many thanks. I have another Mortmain on the go but have to finish my Anna first. Hoping I can remember how to do the exposed zip. Hope all is well with you x
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Lovely print and the finished dress looks really good – not sure how much longer I can hold out before buying it! I always get overstressed when I have a sewing deadline and end up making more mistakes than usual.
Louise
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I think it is a good pattern and there is the sleeveless version as well. I think you’re right re sewing deadlines – more haste less speed and all that!
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The finished dress looks fantastic despite your troubles making it. Just imagine how easy your next version will be! A maxi is a great idea – i cant wait to see it!,
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I AM planning another one – I think it would be a straight forward make without the sizing blip. Thanks for your lovely comments.
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I’m sorry to hear that the construction wasn’t a pleasurable experience but you should be rightly pleased with the finished dress. The fit of the bodice looks perfect. Lovely Liberty too. I haven’t seen that print before. X
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Thanks – I’m surprised Sew Over It haven’t banned me!
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What a great fit! Was definitely worth the blood, sweat and tears! And the style shows off the fabric too – great combination! And a sorbetto too!! Who’d have thought, lol! Hope you have a happy holiday and September doesn’t come round too fast! 🙂
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Thank you – I definitely need a break but I am always ready to go back come September!
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Found your blog through Instagram. Been having a look at your older makes. Wow some amazing makes here. Love that you made your colleague a tie, how kind. The shirt dress is fabulous too.
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Pleased to meet you! Thanks for your lovely comments – my blog is coming up to it’s first anniversary – it’s been a journey!
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The dress is lovely. Enjoy a relaxing summer and some more leisurely makes perhaps? Happy to be your photographer any time!
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I don’t do leisurely! Have just traced off a pattern and now have come unstuck because the flamingos are printed horizontally not vertically so already there’s so story to tell! Have a lovely holiday – see you at the festival x
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Thank you. Just back from Greece and intend to get on with some sewing now. Roman blinds to start then who knows what! Goldhawk Road looks a must-visit. See you at the festival x
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