Tuesday, 15 September 2015

A pink dress










So, I made my Dottie Angel frock. I'm quite pleased with it. It's not perfect by any means - its fair to say that this was a learning experience all round. For the fabric, I used an old duvet cover, which I picked up in the charity shop - very pink and flowery, and for the pockets, a pretty lilac piece that was in my stash - it may be Laura Ashley.

It seemed a straightforward enough make. I had read a lot of information online, from others who had made the dress, and noted that they made a few adaptations in the making of the dress. As this was my first time using a proper pattern, though, I decided to follow the pattern exactly. I took my time and read it through several times,before I cut. Even so, I made a few mistakes in the making, but if you  screw up your eyes, it looks almost passable. I saw a lot of online discussion on the use of bias tape on the seams, neck and armholes, but I really liked how that looked. My main trouble with the bias tape was sourcing in in the first place. It seemed impossible to find the right widths and colours here. I ended up ordering from the US, so had to wait for a couple of weeks until it was delivered. I know I could have made my own, but I just wanted to sit down and get on with the job, with the right equipment. Anyway - I'm quite pleased with how it eventually turned out. It reminds me of the big, comfortable pinnies that my grandmothers wore around the house, and I'm happy with that - big deep pockets to keep the crochet in too.

 I'm glad I made this rough draft, instead of cutting into some of my precious vintage, though, and I really enjoyed the process. Will I make it again? Yes, I will, but probably not until next spring. I am determined to improve my dressmaking skills, and am already planning an attempt at another pattern. Don't wait up though... xxx

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43 comments:

  1. Anonymous15/9/15 15:15

    I still haven't made mine! Yours is absolutely lovely, Jacqui - great job! :-)

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    1. Jacqui17/9/15 22:31

      Thanks :) I would say it was a spring/summer dress, so I'll try another next year x

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  2. Tracey ~ Clover15/9/15 15:20

    I love it Jacqui and think it's really pretty. I still have made mine yet, but I did play around with fabric yesterday trying to decide what I want to use.

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    1. Jacqui17/9/15 22:33

      It's great fun coming up with the fabric combos, Tracey- I'm going to try the three fabric dress next time xx

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  3. MrsDuncanMahogany15/9/15 15:34

    Looks perfect to me. I can't sew a button on so I say well done you! :) Its really lovely....

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    1. Jacqui17/9/15 22:34

      Thanks Mrs d - I am quite please with myself xxx

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  4. Julie15/9/15 17:02

    It looks super, well done, a great achievement.

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  5. mel15/9/15 21:06

    it looks lovely! well done!!

    still noodling over mine....no breath-holding here, either ;) i think maybe i ought to start off with something a bit easier...like, say, an A-line skirt. :)

    xo

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    1. Jacqui17/9/15 22:37

      Give it a go, Mel - just take your time and see how you get on xx

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  6. Morgan15/9/15 22:39

    Well done - needles like that are too small and fiddly for me, so I shall stick to my knitting! Looks great, though xx

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    1. Jacqui17/9/15 22:38

      Thank Morgan. I'm a very recent convert to dressmaking, but I think I could get into it xx

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  7. VeroV16/9/15 05:36

    I need to start mine! Yours is pretty I like the fabrics. Congrats.

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  8. mamasmercantile16/9/15 07:17

    Well done, a great achievement, Love the fabric you would never have known it was an old quilt cover.

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    1. Jacqui19/9/15 10:00

      Thanks MM - it's not as obvious as I feared xx

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  9. Xan16/9/15 10:46

    I am so happy your comments are back up :-) I've been longing to let you know that your photos are lovely and it was wonderful to see your summer days.

    This Dottie Angel dress is gorgeous! I am in-love with your fabric choices, especially the duvet cover - what a fabulous print!

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    1. Jacqui19/9/15 10:02

      Hey Xan - thanks for popping in and for your lovely comments. It's good to be connected again now the summer rush is over xx

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  10. Ali16/9/15 23:14

    Where can I buy this pattern Jacqui? Your dress is lovely and that style is right up my street! Now all I can think of is making that dress.!

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    1. Jacqui17/9/15 04:24

      http://www.simplicitynewlook.com/1080/#.VfoxsVJ4XCQ
      It here on the Simplicity New Look site Ali. It's a lovely style. If you search on Instagram #dottieangelfrock -there are loads of ideas xxx

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  11. Natalie17/9/15 10:12

    It's really lovely! I think I might have to treat myself to the pattern (if there are pennies left at the end if the month) and have a go myself :) I adore the fabric you used for the pockets. I'm almost certain it's the same as the archive Laura Ashley print on my boots! xx

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    1. Jacqui19/9/15 10:04

      Hi Natalie- simplicity have a half price sale this weekend. I'm sure it is Laura Ashley - intrigued about the boots! Sound gorgeous xx

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  12. nocton417/9/15 11:58

    Wanna see it on you beautiful lady, it's gorgeous xx

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    1. Jacqui19/9/15 10:05

      I'll get James to take a photo sometime- I did try but I couldn't get a good shot on my own x

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  13. Lois17/9/15 15:32

    I've just ordered my pattern! You cannot get Simplicity patterns in Canada anymore and the pattern was out of stock until mid September. I need to find suitable fabric...

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    1. Jacqui19/9/15 10:06

      Look forward to seeing it, Lois xxx

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  14. Jacqui17/9/15 22:29

    Hi - thanks for your lovely comment:) Duvet covers are great value - i'v got a flannelette one to make a pair of pjs with too - they cost £1-2 in the charity shop, but often they reduce the prices. I've always wondered what a jumper was - here it means sweater or pullover, so thanks for clearing that up xxx

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  15. Jackie18/9/15 02:45

    I think that you did very well. I do love the colour choices.

    God bless.

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    1. Jacqui19/9/15 10:10

      You too Jackie - and thanks. I'm very happy with the colour, though it's a bit out of season right now. xxx

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  16. Jan18/9/15 05:43

    Like happyathome above, I am visiting from Rhonda's weekend reading links.we call duvets doonas down here and I have used op shop doonas for many projects. The most successful were 1920's style lounge pants which are very comfortable as pyjama pants. Add a T shirt and there is cheap nightwear. The covers do take a while to unpick, but the results are worthwhile. Your photos are beautiful and I love seeing a totally different landscape to Aussie scenes.

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    1. Jacqui19/9/15 10:12

      Hello Jan - thanks for taking the time. I love the word doona- fab :) I foresee a lot of pj pants in my future xx

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  17. Zena18/9/15 13:31

    This Dottie dress is on my to do list but I just had to stop by via Rhonda's blog to let you know how much I love your fabric and colour choices.

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    1. Jacqui19/9/15 10:13

      Hello Zena - thank you for visiting- so nice to see new friends xx

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    2. Jacqui19/9/15 10:18

      Meant to say too, that you are heading into the perfect season for Dottieangel dresses xx

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  18. Wendy McDonagh-Valentine18/9/15 15:49

    You did a wonderful job!! I can't even imagine knowing how to make something like this!!! Lol!! I love the color and the fabric design. Wear it in good health Jacqui!! xoxo

    ~ Wendy

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    1. Jacqui19/9/15 10:15

      Thank you Wendy - I am amazed at myself ;) xx

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  19. Ali18/9/15 22:03

    I once bought a four flannelette sheets from a charity shop for a few pounds in Skye whilst on holiday and sewed them together to make my daughters duvet covers for Welsh winters .... very cosy.

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  20. Jacqui19/9/15 10:09

    Great idea for flannel sheets, Ali. HaH - it's hard to keep up with the different terms - you have to work out who is from where and try to include all options :) xx

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  21. Sara19/9/15 20:01

    Great fabric! I like the pattern, it looks really comfortable and easy to wear. I fancy buying her book but maybe I'll hold out until after Christmas- the crafting season is starting already for me!

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    1. Jacqui19/9/15 21:14

      Hello Sara - yes its getting to that stage already xx

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  22. cara25/9/15 10:25

    I love the pattern! I've been harbouring ideas of dressmaking for years, it seems like a good way to pass long Hebridean evenings.

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  23. Anonymous27/9/15 21:23

    Perfect dress! I'm sure the next time will be an even smoother process. This first one is a wonderful finished garment!

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  24. Robert21/1/16 10:17

    Thank you very much for this useful article. I like it. short halter dresses

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