Saturday 6 October 2012

My modest raspberry dress

I am finally able to share my latest project (or more accurately, one of my latest projects) with you all - my modest raspberry dress! Yep, it's the ever so popular McCall's 5927. 


It is called the modest raspberry dress because the fabric is a lovely raspberry coloured double wool crepe (in fact, I don't really understand what "double wool" means but it was fabulous to work with) from the remnant bin from Macculloch and Wallis, for £18, and the cap sleeves made it modest enough  to be worn to work without needing a cardigan. And after all the troubles I've had with those darn sleeves, I had to honour them in the name somehow. 


I cut a size 4 for a close fit, and had planned on making view D. However, I don't know what came over me... when I followed the instructions, I followed those for views A and B! I couldn't tell you just how annoyed I was with my very silly self! The more annoying thing was, this was my first ever fully lined dress (obviously not counting my wedding dress here, which had a thousand layers!), and following the wrong set of instructions really messed up my otherwise beautifully smooth lining. 

I decided to be brave, and followed view B through in case I liked what I had. But I really disliked the straps :( I had great plans for this to be my new favourite work dress, and without the sleeves, it just didn't work. 

So after a few days of beating myself up, I decided to get over the on-show seams on the inside of the garment, and just add those cap sleeves to my "finished" dress. I'm so glad that I did! I think they have transformed the dress, and gave it so much modesty and sophistication. 


Despite my oversight, I thought this was a really good pattern. This is a pattern with multiple bust sizes, so I didn't even need to do a SBA! All I had to do was a petite adjustment on the bodice and skirt. 

The dress has such simple lines, which are perfect for a work dress, and the pockets are an added bonus. And I love that it is fully lined - the lining (faux silk lining, at £1.03 per metre from Fabricland) just makes the whole thing feel so much more comfortable and expensive. It involved a bit of hand sewing, but by no means excessive. 

Can you see the stitches?
 Some inside out photos (front and back) and right side out photos:


Having added the cap sleeves at the last minute, it actually inspired me to do the same to shop purchased clothes. Wouldn't that be a lovely refashion project? 


19 comments:

  1. It's so pretty ^^
    I love the color and it's fit you perfectly!! :)

    Maude
    mpbymaude.blogspot.ca

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  2. Really gorgeous, great colour and a perfect fit. Love the sleeves.

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    1. Thank you Lizzy. I'm glad you love the sleeves, and am so pleased that they turned out ok in the end!

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  3. Beautiful fit and colour. Excellent work! Agree that the cute capped sleeves makes all the difference

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    1. Thank you Sertyan. I've seen and loved both of your versions of this pattern too!

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  4. This looks so great on you! I love the color!

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    1. Thank you! I love the almost-red colour too! I don't usually "splash out" on fabric, but this tiny piece of remnant at £18 was well worth it :)

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  5. i love the dress espacially how you did the sleeves!

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  6. very pretty dress, and what a great bargain from M&W who are normally quite expensive.

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    1. Thank you! and yes I thought so too! though I am trying not to compare it to Goldhawk Road/Walthamstowe or my local Fabricland!

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  7. Hi Alice! You expressed an interest in attending a blogger meet-up I'm organising in Birmingham on 3 Nov. Can you please pop on back to my post and leave your email address - http://asewingodyssey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/birmingham-rag-market-whos-in.html

    Lovely dress by the way, so glad to have discovered your blog!!!

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  8. Wow this is gorgeous. Reading some posts on my journey back from Brum. Great meeting you today

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    1. Thank you Amy! It was lovely meeting you yesterday too ;-)

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  9. I love your style, you've really got such a way with picking fabrics and patterns that suit you, and they fit so beautifully. This is such a fantastic dress....

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    1. Oh Winnie you are too kind! Thank you - I love your handmade style, too! X

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