Fashion Challenge 3 - Little Black Dress

I missed the second Fashion Challenge as I just completely ran out of time, but I certainly didn't want to miss out on number three - the Little Black Dress!

In my mind, a little black dress conjures up images of fancy cocktail dresses for formal events. But in reality, I have absolutely no need for a fancy cocktail dress, so I wanted a much more casual style little black dress. 

I really want to try and stash bust as much as I can with these challenges, but for this one, there just wasn't anything suitable in the cupboard.

I headed down to the local Spotty and walked lap afer lap after lap..... and found nothing inspiring in black. So, there was only one choice - some cheap and cheerful spotted cotton print.

I have a very unusual shape (some of it due to twenty years of steroids), so it's really difficult to find suitable dress patterns.

I bought this Retro Butterick reprint... traced, modified and made the bodice.... and then promptly threw it out as the fit was absolutely horrid!

I decided to skip that and sort through my pattern stash to find something else. I found a Vintage Simplicity 5007 top pattern which I've previously used.  I used the pattern to create a bodice and shortened it so that it ended just below the bustline.

I then wanted to create an A-line style skirt for the bottom, so I took the skirt from my Lisette Passport Dress pattern, and modified it by removing the pleats, and taking a little away from the width to fit the bodice.

Once I'd added the skirt to the bodice (and before inserting the zip), I decided to make the waistline a feature so I added a length of red binding all the way around.

I'd normally use an invisible zip but I really love the black stripe running down the back!

To finish off, I simply bound the armholes (to the inside) and the neckline and bottom hem (to the outside).

I haven't quite finished as I still need to add some pockets (I completely forgot to add in seam pockets before I sewed and overlocked the side seams).

This isn't the greatest quality of fabric so the drape isn't wonderful, but it'll be a really nice cool and comfy dress in summer.

I think it's a great versatile addition to the wardrobe!

More sewing for me

I've been sewing up a storm over the last week, and now have a few more handmade pieces to add to my wardrobe.

There's just that little matter of cleaning the wardrobe out of all of the clothes that I no longer need or wear...

I've  been hoarding saving this fabric for the perfect dress. It was a bit of a surprise purchase as I had a GJ's voucher that was about to expire just before Christmas 2011, and no time to actually go to GJ's, so I gave it to Bec with instructions to choose a large scale floral in red/orange/pink. She couldn't have chosen anything more perfect!

This is a bit of a mash up of patterns again.

The bodice is the top half of the Vintage Simplicity 5007 again, with the neckline lowered, and the skirt is the Lisette Passport Dress again.

This time when I cut the skirt pieces, I added three extra inches in width at either side of the CF and CB, so that I could make the three pleats on either side at the front and back.


I used a small binding on the armholes, a large binding on the neckline and just gave it a minimal hem.

I sewed it up and then realised that I'd forgotten the in-seam pockets. Thank goodness I hadn't overlocked yet!

I even managed to set them in at the correct height this time *win*

I desperately tried to take a selfie to show me actually wearing it, but it was 42 degrees celsius and I ended up with a whole lot of blurry photos / me with my eyes closed / head chopped off etc... so this is the best of a bad lot.

This is seriously the most comfy dress ever. I LOVE IT!

The Lisette Passport Dress

I've been itching to make the Lisette Passport Dress ever since the finish of the Continental Sew-Along.

I just so happened to take a trip to Spotty on Friday and found the Lisette Cotton Sateen on the clearance table for $5 per metre (must have been divine intervention).

The Passport is a bit more tricky, as it has a side zipper, and front and back darts and pleats.

I decided upon the Size 16 (as that's the size I should have cut for the Continental) and cut out all of my fabric Friday night.

I've never made a dress with darts before, so I must admit that I was ever so slightly confused!

Thankfully, I remembered to try the bodice and the skirt on, separately, before I attached them together, or finished any of the side seams with the overlocker.

Turns out that the size 16 was too small...

I had to reduce the side seams to 1/4 inch, and completely remove the rear bodice darts, and the rear skirt pleats to make it fit.

But, thankfully after lots of stops and starts, I actually managed to finish it.

Here's a closer look at the finished front darts and front pleats. I'm not quite sure that I finished the darts properly as per the instructions. I'd show the back darts and pleats but there aren't any!

Oh, and of course I had to add the obligatory pocket on the opposite side to the zipper!

It's freezing today but I teamed it with my Flox tights and a cardi and wore it to work (I did actually have shoes on too).

I'll definitely make this dress again, but next time, I'll re-draft the bodice to combine the 16 (at the top) and the 18 (at the bottom), with a size 18 skirt, and reduce the size of the armholes underneath the arm as they're a bit gapey.

I think I only ended up using 1.5 metres of fabric so it's not a bad investment!

The Lisette Sew Along - Whimsical

The Lisette Dress Sew Along is still running for anyone who hasn't quite had the chance to complete their dress.

Today I'm featuring this lovely Lisette Passport dress by Lien from Whimsical - she has some great info and tips in her blog post.

Check it out!

Would you believe Lien hadn't sewed darts, binding or a zipper before?
It's such a gorgeous dress in the Lisette Sateen fabric!

This dress is most definitely on my 'to make' list.

Thankyou for joining in Lien.


Sew-Along Sign Up
Link to Pattern
Sew-Along Flickr Group
Sew Lisette Flickr Group


PS - for anyone who is thinking about making a skirt for winter, I'm going to have a bloggy skirt sew-along in May. In the meantime, go in search of your favourite skirt pattern, and I'll have more info very soon!