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!

Project 52 Weekly Fashion Challenge - Week 1

 It's the Wiksten Tank (again)

I joined a group on FB a little while ago - its the Project 52 Weekly Fashion Challenge.

The premise is that each week, a new challenge is set to create a piece of clothing. Once your piece is completed, you upload your photos to the FB album for that week, and a winner is chosen. The deadline for each week is Midnight Sunday in whichever time zone you live in.

I joined because I thought it would be a great motivator to make more of my own clothes, which will also hopefully improve my skills and confidence!

This weeks challenge was to make a 'geometric' top.  The only bit of spare time I had this week was Saturday night, so it was a mad panic rush to try to get something made.

Luckily I'd picked up this checked fabric at Spotty a couple of weeks ago. I only bought one metre, so I had to cut the back of the top in two pieces and join them. I did some pretty topstitiching on the back to make it look deliberate!

The fabric frayed and frayed and frayed... so each piece had to be fully overlocked before I could even think of stitching anything together.  I wanted to add square pockets to the front to make more of the geometric theme, and Bec had the brilliant idea of cutting them on the bias (after block interfacing the fabric first of course). I love the bit of extra detail it provides.

Unfortunately I didn't have the right coloured binding in the stash to finish off the neckline, armholes and hem. I went to Spotty today and they didn't have the right coloured binding either.... so it looks like I'll be making my own... maybe tomorrow.