Sunday, April 27, 2014

Impromptu swing dresses

It's Sunday, and I have to go back to work tomorrow after 10 relaxing days off! But happily I think this has been the most productive work break in a while! 

On Friday, just for funsies I whipped up a new dress so I could have something to wear to my first day back at work tomorrow. Something to help ease back into the work week that was fun and easy that I knew would fit without any problems, and here she is Simplicity 7436!



I have sewn from this pattern before so I knew I'd love the fit. My Bliss of Mrs Blossom dress was made from this pattern and its still one of my absolute favourites!


The fabric was bought off Etsy while I was in one of my paisley buying obsessions. I think I still need more - paisley is a gorgeous fabric! 

I don't know if it's genuine sixties fabric, but that's OK. From a distance the pattern sadly drains out and you cant really see the fine colours and details that this fabric includes. 

Hopefully pairing with green, maroon, light blue or even purple tights might bring out the colours a bit more




I am actually in the middle of a more time consuming project - McCalls 8939. A matching dress and coat, of which I have finished the dress part - as you can see below!


I may be avoiding making the coat by doing little quick projects... but you know coats are hard! And I'm worried I'll screw it up somehow! 

So I figure I should build up my confidence with little project first right? I dunno if that's a good excuse, but I'll get to that coat I promise! 


Regardless, I now have a fun new dress for work tomorrow - and eventually a new coat and dress

What did you get up to this weekend? Any projects your trying to avoid by sewing other more pretty things? I know I am! 

Take care lovely ones!
Cat xo

29 comments:

  1. Another lovely dress! So glad you had a nice break!
    I'm OK at starting things but I always put off finishing projects. I finished this shift dress the other day... well all except the facings, but I became so uninspired by it, I just can't finish it. I have done the same with books in the past too...read up til the last 2 chapters and then just decide I have had enough.
    But I am so inspired by the dresses you make. For my next project I am making a muslin and using fabric that I am a lot more excited about. Hopefully that will make a difference! Your next dress is beautiful and you have made so many great challenging things in the past but I know how you feel that spoonflower fabric is expensive, so perhaps it feels more intimadating to sew with it, but in your case it is SO worth it! The print you designed is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks lovely! I do the same thing with books, but usually because there is a funner book to read!
      Im so glad i inspire you! maybe even enough to finish your projects?
      And yes! spoonflower is so expensive! but so worth it when you design your own fabric!

      Delete
  2. Love the dress to death! You are just as cute as can be. As for me, I made Simplicity 8414 from 1969 on Friday. That's the dress I cut too short...lol. I bought a cool zig-zag black and white fabric for another 60s shift, but I just can't decide which one to make! It's awful having this plight! Haha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. aww thank you! That Simplicity 8414 looks pretty awesome! you did an excellent job of it with the plaid!
      I'm always really careful to cut things the right length, but if its one of those dresses that comes with a belt, it usually becomes even shorter because of the because i forget to allow length for that!

      Delete
  3. O, she's a super sweet quickie frock! Love the fabric, and the shape is divoon!
    I'm about to start on a gifted pattern, I think it's a Butterick something....every time I come here I get all inspired and enthusiastic to go hard! XXX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank your Helga! Quickies are always good aren't they! ;)
      will you post this magnificent dress when you finish it? Im determined to get you behind that machine!

      Delete
  4. It's great - the angled yoke is so stylish. I think it's always nice to make something easy and fabulous if you have 'sewists block' - there's no such thing as procrastination when you are doing something you love :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you! its a bit hard to notice with the busy fabric and its really tricky to sew it right into the corner!
      I agree - perfect for sewers block

      Delete
  5. Great dress Cat! I often pick easy projects when I'm trying to avoid something that could potentially be a bit tricky. I'm sure you'll get round to making the coat eventually, the matching dress looks fab! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks lovely! i still haven't touched the coat, but this past week was somewhat mental at work so i decided to reorder my house instead =)

      Delete
  6. What a gorgeous dress! I love the shape! I'm going to keep an eye on eBay for this pattern.. it's so cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks! yes, its a pretty fun and very comfy dress. i recommend it!

      Delete
  7. Wow. So glad you made this for funsies. It's a wonderful print and style Ms 60s.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yay! me too. fun makes are good for sewing confidence!

      Delete
  8. I love this fabric! The colour is amazing and I've always been partial to paisley. Can't wait to see your coat dress combo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I love me some paisley, im always on the look out for it

      Delete
  9. What a fantastic shape - I love it and need to get cracking with my sewing, you put me to shame! Paisley print is the best! Hope work wasn't too stressful! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeah girly! Get that sewing machine a-cracking! work is always stressful sadly, but thats why i sew!

      Delete
  10. I love it! so cute and the fabric is amazing as always too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi there, found you via Vix, and as I am starting to sew myself, I'm keen to see what other, more talented sewists are making! I love your dress, paisley print is fabulous.
    Love Curtise xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi there and welcome! i hope you come to love sewing, it really is an exciting a satisfying hobby xo

      Delete
  12. Pretty pretty pretty! And I am really impressed that you can make something like this in such a short amount of time :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you thank you thank you! i was amazed too! ill have to remember that for when i am desperate for a new dress!

      Delete
  13. Isn't it awesome being able to make a dress to wear the next day? I love that about sewing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great dress and suits you so well!!!! I really love your 60's creations.
    The only problem: I have a paisley in my stash which I bought without a particular pattern in mind. Now, I cannot stop thinking about it as a small 60' dress..... :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you! Ooh paisley is so great, but you can of course make it to suit any style. I think it looks great as a 50's style shirt dress for example!

      Delete

Thanks for your comment! Please do not comment anonymously - feel free to use the Name/URL option instead as I’d still love to hear from you xo

*Spam comments will be swiftly deleted, so please do not bother

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.