Friday, April 15, 2016

copying a dress

When Lent began, I thought it would be good to have a project to work on a little at a time. I poked around my pinterest boards and decided to try and copy a dress.

(image originally from Blue Fish clothing site)

A rather funky style, but appealing to me.

This Anna Maria Horner pattern, which I had but hadn't used yet, seemed like a good place to start - it's similar enough. I redrew it, then cut it up into three sections. Using some Alabama Chanin organic jersey in a dark gray left over from a skirt, I was able to cut out the first two sections from it, and the rest is also AC fabric in persimmon. It was almost Easter when I hand-stitched the neck binding and tried it on. It was way too big, and after working on it for so long, I decided to put it aside.

I've been mulling it over and tonight I removed the neck binding. I'll also have to pick out the top stitching on the shoulder seams before I can take it up at the shoulders, but that's what I have to do.


I've also been wondering what to wear underneath it; in the above photo it looks like she's got a slip on! Don't worry - I don't expect you to like it because I do!  ;)  Anyway, I think I'm just going to make another persimmon layer at the bottom, instead of having to wear something underneath.  After all this, I hope it ends up wearable. It's an interesting exercise to try and copy something, and not for the faint-hearted. Wish me well!

12 comments:

  1. I do wish you well, and I really love "lagnelook" dresses like the one you are copying. It looks both comfortable and stylish in a playful way. Unfortunately, I don't think it is a style that would flatter me--but I am very attracted to it.

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    1. You've got it, Susan. I see it a lot on Pinterest.

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  2. You're brave. I've got to "follow the pattern". Don't trust myself to rearrange!
    Enjoy your weekend!♥

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    1. Anne, I like the challenge of trying. But I almost have to force myself to keep on.

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  3. I'm with Anne - I need a pattern to follow. I wish you lots of luck with it After all that work I would find it so dispiriting to have to re-do some of it. As you say - not for the faint-hearted! That said, I love these relaxed fashions; they are so comfortable to wear and I wear dresses like this over thick tights or straight-leg trousers.

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    1. I was dispirited, Clare! But now, after a few weeks, I'm ready to pick it up again.

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  4. You could make this pattern up in several ways - winter or summer material, layers of colour or just shades. Love it.

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    1. You're very optimistic, Phil! But yes - make something once, and it's so much easier to do it again! Especially if it's a big success. So, let's hope. :)

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  5. Ohh, this'll be lovely when it's done. I can picture it. Do you know Ivey Abitz clothing, Lisa? I'd wear just about everything they sell, although I'm too short and round to pull off many of these long-dressed looks. But it is charming and looks like you. :) http://iveyabitz.com/

    And see you in a few days! ♥

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    1. No, I hadn't heard of it, Val; thanks for the link. Yes, I love it! It's the layers, I guess. I would like to finish this dress for Wednesday, but am not sure I can.

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  6. I love hearing about sewing projects, especially ones we do on our own. Things like this are so trying, yet so much fun.

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  7. So many dresses I've made have needed a little tweak here, an adjustment there and then, finally, oh its right and SO satisfying. This just happened to me recently with a too-short dress that needed a ruffle. I quite like the dress you're making, the asymmetry and comfy look of it. Best of luck as you make your way towards being happy with your labors!

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