Saturday, September 28, 2013

Simplicity 1803: The King Kong Dress!

Disclaimer: This dress has nothing to do with King Kong, apart from the fact I wore it to see the musical this afternoon!

For my birthday earlier this month, Ruthy (my sister) bought me a ticket to go and see King Kong today the musical at the Regent Theatre on Collins St. It was so much fun! The huge-scale puppetry is amazing. Such a great birthday present!


Here we are before we went in. Look at the interior of the theatre! It is amazing.



I had originally planned to wear my Frocktails outfit - I wanted to get dressed up - but the weather in Melbourne presently is what can only be described as awful. Cold, windy, wet. Yuck. I needed something I could wear with tights, a cardigan and a coat.

Luckily a while back I started on Simplicity 1803:


I made it in a linen-rayon I bought on my recent Brisbane trip. This fabric is so lush. It drapes beautifully and feels very nice. Wish I'd gotten more. I underlined the bodice only as the bodice is faced rather than lined. I used cotton voile to underline. 



I didn't muslin this dress - so daring and uncharacteristic of me! I did have to make two adjustments to the size 12:

  1. Increase the CF seam allowance to 2.5cm instead of 1.5cm. Lots of gaping happening and too much room in the waist.
  2. Shorten the straps and angle them in more so there was no gaping. 
Overall I'm pretty pleased with the fit now. 



Love that scoop neckline. I also love the way the straps look - you can't really see it with this print. I'm planning a solid red version in linen. I had actually planned this to be a summer dress, and I was going to photograph it with some yellow shoes I got for my birthday (from Elk!). But it is just too cold here to go bare-legged. I'm really yearning for summer this year - it is my favourite season, both weather wise and sewing wise - how about you? What is your favourite season?

Pattern: Simplicity 1803
Fabric: 2m linen-rayon blend, 1m cotton voile
Notions: 16" invisible zip
Alterations: increased CF seam to 2.5cm, shortened and angled in front straps.

23 comments:

  1. That dress is gorgeous! Love the fabric too. I can never decide about which season is my favourite but currently my brain says winter.

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    1. I wish I could love winter more - maybe next year!

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  2. This is very pretty and so flattering on you! BRAVO! I have a few of the Simplicity Project Runway patterns in my stash. How would you rate the complexity of this pattern for a beginner?

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    1. Thank you! I think if you are confident with princess seams, jump on in! It isn't a difficult dress, but you need to read the instructions for the two facings well as the back facing ends up lining the straps. But - the instructions are well illustrated & it isn't too hard. Give it a go!!

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  3. Very flattering! I'm sure it will get a lot of wear once the weather warms up. Hoping that's soon!

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  4. Hello. I thought I would make this dress up for my birthday in November. Looks very cute on you. Love the scooped back especially!

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    1. It would be a great b'day party dress! Nice & swishy.

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  5. You always look so good in the things you make. I'm still swooning over your Anna's Winter Dress. I've gotta figure out how to morph a pattern to get that look.

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    1. Thanks Faye. I was pretty lucky that Anna did all the work for me!

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  6. This is fantastic! I really like how the straps sit- it forms such a lovely bodice feature. And yay for King Kong- that sounds like a blast!

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    1. Thanks Amanda! I think this would look great on you - you've got good shoulders for those straps!

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  7. Gorgeous fabric! This will look awesome with those yellow shoes in summer.

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  8. Absolutely lovely! Wow, that fabric really does drape beautifully. It works perfectly for a skirt that shape. You look fabulous.

    Also, I'm the exact opposite, when it comes to seasonal sewing. My mojo really gets going with the cooler months of fall & winter. Naturally, I live in Texas, so it's pretty fleeting mojo. ;)

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  9. This looks so stylish! Beautiful neckline and straps.

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  10. Damn that Melbourne winter! Your dress is gorgeous - loving the curved straps!! And a perfect amount of white in your fabric for lots of spring and summer wear - lovely ;)

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  11. It's a lovely dress!! And funny thing - I got taken to see King Kong for my birthday too :P How amazing was it?

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  12. Congratulations. Your dress looks lovely and the style really suits you. I am a cold weather girl myself - just as well because I live in Ballarat! Well done. Cheers, Karen

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  13. This is a gorgeous dress. The back neckline is wonderful! I'm very curious to see this in a solid red. Bring it up! :)

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  14. Beautiful dress! The fit is spot on. I'm dreaming of linen dresses and pants and warm summer days... L x

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  15. Great dress. The print and neckline is what makes it great.

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  16. This is amazing. how did I miss it?
    Must. get. that. pattern.

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