Monday, March 12, 2012

The Lisette Sew Along - My Finished Continental Dress



One of the best things that has happened since I've started to make my own clothes, is that I have a much better understanding and appreciation of my body shape, and the fabric colours and styles of clothing that suit me.

Once you take your own measurements, and compare them to what is supposed to be standard in shop bought clothing, you realise why it's so hard to find something that properly fits!

At least with a simple dress like this one, you can make it to the pattern, and then slightly tweak it to suit your own needs.

With that knowledge, I sat down yesterday afternoon and finally sewed my Contintental Dress.

I probably should have ironed it....

I must say that I really love how it's turned out. I've even managed to fall in love with the so called 'test' fabric from the stash. It's so much prettier as a dress, than what it was folded up sitting in the cupboard.



For some silly reason, I didn't think to actually measure myself before I started.... I just assumed that I would need the same size as Bec and so I cut out a size 18.

When I did the first try on, I realised that it was a bit too big, so I measured myself and realised that I should have cut out a 16.


  • This is the first try on stage - I've sewn the neck binding but wanted to check the arm holes before sewing the binding.

My photo is a little blurry but if you look at the left arm you can see that it's a bit gapey under the arm.

The really simple solution was just to take in both side seams from under the arms and straight down the side. I started by taking it in to a size 16 along both side seams.


Then to make the armhole smaller, I just sewed a tapered seam about half an inch inwards under the arm.

Note to self: always measure before just assuming size




Once I'd adjusted the size to fit, I added the binding to the arms and hemmed the bottom to finish it off.... nearly

Additions

As I don't have much of a waist, I find that I really need belt loops on my dresses, and then there's also my obsession with always having pockets in my garments.

My super simple non-scientific technique to work out the placement?



I just put the dress on, work out where the belt loop and pockets should sit and mark it with a safety pin.


Then I made myself a little pocket template to make two matching front pockets.



That's it... all finished!

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37 comments:

Lien said...

Wow, speedy! The measurement thing is doing my head in. I've posted in a couple of forums regarding this because for the life of me work out what size to make. I'm making the Lisette Passport dress by the way.

According to the pattern measurements, I'm a 12 on the bust, 18 on the waist and 10 on the hips!!

Sarah said...

love love love the last photo.

Awsome chicky babe!

bTW you know that skirt I loves a few post back - the black with doily... DId you make it or can you tell me where from?

Oh and I loves another of your skirts last post - ha great taste lady!

bec said...

It looks fantastic! The last pics is 'too cool for skool' haha. I don't know if you can ever get your sizing right on a pattern, they're all bloody different! Thank God for adjusting (I see an adjustable dressmaker dummy in your future)

simplestitches said...

wow Cam, that looks great...clever you!
Julz

Anna Bartlett said...

Look out Miranda Kerr!
You're gorgeous!

Cass said...

Cam it looks absolutely fantastic on you, well done

Unknown said...

Now I want a dress like that.

Good thing we have a few "summery" days coming up this week for you to get some wear out of it before it goes into hibernation.

Anonymous said...

It fits really well. I like the addition of the pockets!

Anonymous said...

smokin' Cam! your dress is absolutely gorgeous, as are you girl.

x

Bronwyn said...

That looks absolutely gorgeous on you Cam! Love the sunglasses inside.

Jennie said...

Love it - you made a great choice with the fabric from your stash!x

Fran said...

Looks fantastic Cam! Suits you beautifully :) loving the lisette range

sophie said...

Those colours are so beautiful on you, that last photo is gorgeous! Great dress too!

Deb Robertson Writes said...

That's fantastic I love it. I must cut mine out. I hate the whole pattern cutting bit, that's what I keep putting off!!

Margaret said...

And very nice too.

Rie said...

Awesome dress Cam! Love how you donned the sunnies for the final photo, very model girl!!!

LionessLady said...

Your dress looks amazing! i just popped down to Spotty today and bought fabric and the pattern (30% off today!!!) so I am going to make one now too! It's probably too late to join in the sew along, but thanks for the inspiration!

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Fabulous!! A 16 is like an Australian 12 right?? I adore the loops & belt, such a nice addition. Just gorgeous cam, wear it through Winter too with tights & long sleeve T. Love Posie

Kylie said...

Wow Cam! You {and your dress} look amazing. I love that fabric... have a bit of a soft spot for that tealy, greeny, bluey colour. Great job. Did you find you needed the 2.5m of fabric in the end?

Finki said...

Sooo nice Cam.
I love your test fabric too.
x

Yana said...

your dress turned out great!!!! love the belt with it and the pockets, and the fabric looks lovely too! i'm sure your going to love wearing it, i love mine :)

Megan said...

I love it! You look fantastic. I like how you've added some personal touches to make it more you. And I agree, the fabric works brilliantly as a dress.

Bron said...

Looks great on you. Job well done x

thornberry said...

Marvellous dress Cam and may I please copy your belt loops and pockets idea for mine? Which I am hoping to make tonight to wear in tomorrow's heat.

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

Really love that last photo of you. There's something fabulous about it.

trudi@maudeandme said...

Move over francis!!
Super amazing last photo! Now you'll have to model every future outfit - no excuses.
By the way I love the dress too!

Michelle said...

Oh Cam - it's just beautiful on you! You're beautiful in it! YOU'RE A GREAT PAIR!!

Caroline said...

Wow, that looks fantastic Cam, the pockets are a gorgeous addition and the whole shebang goes great with that belt too. I like!

I pretty much always ignore sizing on patterns, it never makes sense. I just make a 12, 'cause that's my size, and it always seems to work (obviously the sizing fairy is on my side).

Tas said...

Hubba hubba, girlfriend.

Have to go look up this pattern now. It is gorgeous.

Tas

Sandrine said...

Cool! I love your pocket addition you are so clever!
Pressure pressure :)
xx

Stomper Girl said...

It looks gorgeous on you, really really gorgeous!

NessaKnits said...

Love it. Looks fabulous!

Mistea said...

There sure are some lovely dresses popping up around here - your's is beautiful and the fabric works very well.
I couldn't get the pattern in my size yet, but I'm sure I need to.
Enjoy the summer sun in Autumn.

yardage girl said...

Great dress Cam, and super fab pic of you at the end - lovely!

Bron said...

looks amazing Cam!

Kylie said...

It looks great Cam and fab in the paisley print:)

gemma @ loz and dinny said...

Ooooh this is foxy! See you can rock the belt and dress - you have that gene! Love the colours too!! Ps I just finished mine!