Monday 19 September 2016

Black and grey on a sunny day

She asked for a black dress, so I made her one. I used the same silky, subtly-checked cotton that I used a couple of years ago for my disastrous sack-like number, and I'm so happy to have found a better use for it. This is one of those fabrics that's much lovelier in real life, because the pattern is really hard to photograph and the drape and feel of it are just stunning.


The pattern is from A Sunny Spot and it's actually meant to be a top, but I lengthened it substantially and changed the back bodice design to make a neater opening - basically I cut the back as two pieces, then joined them only part of the way up, and finished the neck with bias binding and ties at the back instead of facing and a button.
 



The cardi is from the same book, and replaces a much-loved and much-worn earlier version which now has ridiculously short sleeves. Like my first one, I made it in French terry, having fortuitously picked up a half-metre cut from The Fabric Store's remnant bin during a rare visit there last month. I was careful to make the sleeves on this cardigan nice and long, and I added a few centimetres to the hemline as well. The buttons are lovely and sparkly; hard to see in the photos, unfortunately. Gathering the 'skirt' section of the cardigan was a bit of a challenge - I ended up sewing a thin strip of interfacing along the stitching line before my second attempt at it, and this really helped everything gather up beautifully.

Sewing this outfit has reminded me what a fabulous book this is - and it's all about layers, which is so perfect for Melbourne and its 'four seasons in a day' weather!

10 comments:

  1. Oh Marisa, what a beautiful outfit. I am going to have to copy this dress - my oldest is similarly shaped to R and I love her in a voluminous silhouette like this.

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    1. Thanks Masha! I have a few books with variations of this style, but the thing I really love about this one is the sleeves.

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  2. So perfect! You've got the four seasons covered. I'm sure it's going to be a go-to combo.

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    1. Thank you Jing, the dress will have to compete with a few other favourites in the wardrobe, but the cardigan will be worn heaps I'm sure :)

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  3. I love girls in black - it's so understated and French! This outfit is just perfect and the pieces will go with everything! Now I need this book!

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    1. I hadn't thought of it that way, but yes - the French look! The book has so many beautiful patterns; well worth a look. Make them in pink and Maggie will love them :)

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  4. Lovely outfit. Black suits her so well!

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    1. Thanks Shelley. R wore the dress with her winter coat today and lo and behold, I realised her coat is an almost-identical colour and pattern, only in wool :)

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  5. I love this outfit! So pretty and classic. It goes well with the cardigan, too, which I love.

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    1. Thanks Emi. This style of cardigan is really lovely worn with dresses. I'd happily wear it myself!

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