washi dress #1

My first Washi dress ! I have a thing for dresses with pockets, and this one is just so easy to make. The hem and sleeve facings were hand sewn so it took me a bit longer, but I just like it better this way. And next time I'll have to make the top part an inch or so longer, but other than that I'm really happy with the pattern.

I actually made a Washi top at the end of last summer which I never posted about, but it's one of my current favourites - I'll try to take some photos soon.

new dress

Last week I finally finished sewing a dress I had cut up 4 years ago (pattern is from Machiko Kayaki's Sewing Talk book). As a friend remarked, the good news is that at least it seems I still wear the same dress size.
I think the reason why it took me so long is that it's a lined dress. Which really shouldn't be an excuse, because when I finally sewed everything together it was quite easy. The only change I made was to add darts to the front and back, because generally speaking Japanese patterns tend to not be very fitted.

the birthday dress (2)

Made at the last minute, and turned out a bit large due to a very uncooperative toddler not wanting to try it on. The pattern is from the same book as last year's.

the birthday dress

Finished it right in the nick of time, this morning while she was still asleep. It's a pattern from this book (one of the cover dresses). It turned out a bit short (barely had enough fabric) and if you haven't noticed, the cherries are upside down, but I think my client is not going to mind ;) More photos of the modeled dress coming later ...

inspiration ...

blue + brown winter dress, and a new skirt ...

These were obviously not taken now, but actually in early January, when I was barely showing yet. This is the dress I was talking about, it's #16 from the book mentioned below.

The fabric was from stash, and one of my favorites. I remember buying several meters of this at the fabric store, which I used in multiple bags and accessories over the past couple of years, and saved the remainder for a piece of clothing for myself.

The pattern is quite simple and straightforward, and I actually didn't have to make any adjustments this time. I'll probably make this dress again, maybe a lighter version like the one shown on the book.





As for the skirt, it's another version of this one, although I decided to add some pockets this time and a velvet trim on the hem. I really like this pattern, and I'm definitely not done with it yet (I was thinking maybe some skirts for next winter ?)

wardrobe considerations ....

Remember this blue dress ? At the time I confess I wasn't that in love with it as I am now. I don't know, maybe actually wearing it with Fall accessories makes it look so much nicer. I think I'll end up cutting the Lecien fabric for this pattern after all, but that's a project for next Spring, at the earliest.

In the meantime, I've been thinking about new dresses for this Fall/Winter season. A while ago I ordered a bunch of vintage patterns from this site, and lately I've been playing with possible fabric matches on my mind. Also, I have enough tweed and wool fabrics on stash to make quite a few pieces. A couple of trousers are my main goal, and I think I'll also start with a few simpler Japanese sewing patterns (dresses, of course !) before tackling these which seem more difficult (but so pretty, really)...

the (striped) grey dress

Can you tell this is my favorite one ? I love, love, love it. It's a mix of two patterns from this Japanese pattern book. I mainly cut one pattern (which has the pockets on it) and just applied the neckline from another.

No buttons for me (supposedly it has a line of buttons at the back) but just sewed in a zipper instead. Didn't have enough fabric to cut a bias skirt, but I'm so happy with it anyway.

I baldy want to make another one, but not sure if a fall or even winter version of this would work out (maybe with some sort of top underneath and a cardigan on top ?)

And that's it for dresses for now. It's probably my favorite thing to sew, so when we come back from vacation I'm really looking forward to a bunch of new projects to make !

the red dress

The pattern for this white and red dress has been on my sewing to do list for years now. It's from an old edition of Patrones (can't remember which issue but if anyone's interested I'll dig it out later). The pattern was quite straight forward and just needed some minor adjustments (bust and waist, mainly). I quite like the style of this one so I might do it in another fabric soon (must*really*reduce*my*stash).

the blue dress

I know, this dress is kind of very granny-ish looking... but I like it nonetheless. The fabric was given to me by an aunt years ago and it was sort of a test run for using the same pattern with this Lecien fabric which I don't seem to have the courage to cut.

The pattern is nr. 22 from this book and I had a few issues with it. As always with Japanese patterns for me, it was large in some places and tight in others, and I need to add darts to make the pieces more fitted.

I don't think I'll be using the Lecien fabric to make another of these, so I'll have to search for another suitable project. That said, I do like the dress and I'll probably wear it a lot this coming Fall...

the polka dot dress

Remember I once said I wasn't the biggest fan of polka dots ? Well, I guess I've changed my mind. I actually made a polka dot dress, a chocolate brown polka dot dress, as you can see ...

The pattern is yet another dress from this japanese book. I chose it because I loved the raglan puffed sleeves, but after I tried it on I just had to make a few changes. I inserted darts in the front and back, so it wouldn't look so baggy, and decided to dismiss the pockets in the end (although I do love pockets so I saved them in case I change my mind later on). And the tie-on ribbon around the waist was a last minute inspiration, which I happened to have in hand. Perfect for going out for tea ? Yeah, I think this will probably do ...

summer sewing - part II - batik dress

The first of many dresses to come, I think. I've been saving this batik fabric ever since Amy sent it to me a couple of years ago. I keep doing this, saving pieces of fabric I don't have the courage to use, until the right idea or pattern comes along.



In this case, the fabric and the pattern I've had for a while, but it didn't occur to me to join them together until recently.

This strap dress is an H&M pattern from an old summer edition of Patrones (from two or three years ago, maybe ?) which has a nice selection of dresses, all of which I've been meaning to make one time or another.



Because it's a batik fabric, the print is not equal, which worked great in this dress. I chose a darker piece for the front and a brighter one for the back. The only change I made was in the straps, which I crossed at the back so they wouldn't slip so easily. A perfect dress for summer, I think :) Now, if only the weather would cooperate a little bit ...