Thursday, March 21, 2013

Simplicity 2444

Two posts in one week! Today I have the day at home by myself! Amazing. This is because next week I am going to a conference on tuesday, a day I don't usually work. So I got today off in lieu of tuesday. Yay! A whole day of uninterrupted sewing and catching up on episodes of my favourite TV series. I'm also going for a long run this arvo before picking up Little M - I've got Run For The Kids on sunday and need to fit a long one in before doing the 15km circuit on sunday.

Anyway, onto to the sewing! I made Simplicity 2444 a couple of weeks ago.



It is made in a cotton sateen from Spotlight that Leith picked up for me when my local Spotlight didn't have it. Thanks Leith!

See that sneaky little baby getting in on the fun!

This dress is not a difficult make, but as per usual, I had to adjust the pattern to get it to fit. I made a size 12, but it was gaping very badly at the neckline. So I followed Leith's suggestion and slashed up the centre of all the darts (4 in the front bodice and 2 in the back bodice) and folded out the excess at the neckline. I folded out approximately 10cm in total! Weird pattern drafting I have to say. I'm pretty broad shouldered so I'm not sure who they're drafting for.

That is the only alteration I made, apart from lining the dress (the pattern doesn't call for lining - again something I find odd). I also changed to a handpicked zip at the CB instead of an invisible zip as I've had two invisible zips break on me lately. I'm just not in the mood for the trouble they cause so I used a regular zip. I think I prefer the way the invisible zips look though - what are your preferences?

This cotton sateen is very stiff, so it makes me think this dress probably needs a fabric with a fair amount of structure to make it sit nicely.

Cheeky little baby. She was dancing all over the place.

I made this as a work dress and have had so many nice compliments. A few of the women at work have bought sewing machines as they like my handmade garments! It is great when people get interested in sewing... then there are more people for me to talk endlessly to!  

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17 comments:

  1. Kay @ Slightly 0bsessedMarch 21, 2013 at 3:26 PM

    Your dress looks lovely! I love the pattern - work appropriate but lots of fun :)

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  2. MarieMarch 21, 2013 at 3:51 PM

    It looks gorgeous and I'm not surprised your makes have inspired some of your colleagues! How cool ;o)

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  3. KestrelMarch 21, 2013 at 4:01 PM

    Gorgeous, very classic looking. I love that you've inspired your work colleagues too, no wonder.

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  4. thornberryMarch 21, 2013 at 4:29 PM

    I'm not surprised that you've inspired your work colleagues - you sew so beautifully! Love this dress (and the one in your last post).

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  5. Sew BrunswickMarch 21, 2013 at 8:14 PM

    Such a lovely dress! Classic pattern and a great print. I do prefer the look of invisible zips and am yet to have one break (without significant help from me!). Must pull out my black & white fabric for this!!

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  6. FunkbunnyMarch 21, 2013 at 8:38 PM

    This works so well as a work dress. I've made it as a 'party dress' and also just as a skirt, but I love your version. The modified Miss Mozelle was lovely too. I have made the peter pan collar version and was never very happy with it so I might have to try your idea.

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  7. AnonymousMarch 21, 2013 at 9:21 PM

    There's a munchin in your photos!! Love the fabric. Your version is so much better than the pattern shots!

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  8. AnonymousMarch 22, 2013 at 2:47 AM

    This looks gorgeous! You look very svelte and sophisticated :)

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  9. CeciliMarch 22, 2013 at 8:39 AM

    Love your dress, the fit is great and the fabric is gorgeous!

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  10. liza janeMarch 22, 2013 at 1:11 PM

    Lovely! The fit looks fantastic and very flattering. I think cotton sateen is one of my favorite fabrics.

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  11. AnonymousMarch 22, 2013 at 10:39 PM

    you did a great job with the pattern adjustments! This fits perfectly! You look great!

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  12. GabrielleMarch 22, 2013 at 10:55 PM

    Your dress has turned out so well - looks great on you; and it's so cool that your colleagues are getting inspired! This is actually the pattern that put me off Simplicity back when I was starting to sew because the pattern sizing was so off... but seeing your great result, I may need to revisit the pattern with a preparedness to do some 'fitting'.

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  13. MissMarch 23, 2013 at 6:21 AM

    This looks FABULOUS - so chic! And what a great job of fitting. Did you make a muslin first?

    I'm very interested in the fitting method - any chance you could show us the pattern pieces to demonstrate the slashing from the darts? I assume you still sewed the darts after the folding?

    Bravo. Really!

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  14. AnonymousMarch 25, 2013 at 3:22 AM

    That is a really lovely dress!! Very work appropriate too.

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  15. poppykettleMarch 25, 2013 at 3:37 AM

    Gorrrr-juss. Love it! Great looking fabric and definitely worth sending Leith out on recon! You make me wish I worked with more women so I could sucker them in too :)

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  16. AnonymousMarch 25, 2013 at 4:20 AM

    Lovely, it looks like it fits beautifully! Stunning fabric too. I am fortunate to have two sewing colleagues, it's fantastic, one used to make wedding dresses, great to get advice from.

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  17. MareeMarch 26, 2013 at 2:50 AM

    This is a great outfit Rachel...the dress really suits you and your shoes are super cute.

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