Tuesday 13 November 2012

Subtly British

After spending over 9 years in the UK, I had my citizenship ceremony today. I wanted a dress that is subtly British for the occasion, in that I did not fancy wearing a union jack dress (can you imagine...), but wanted something that is in the right colour schemes to mark the event.

After searching for the right fabric for a few weeks, very luckily the lovely Helen brought a beautiful blue and red floral polycotton (pre-washed and everything - thank you!) to what could only be the biggest ever swap at the blogger meet-up last weekend.

I wanted a reasonably smart looking dress for the occasion - it was indeed a serious ceremony, so I wanted to dress the part without looking too business-like or "disco". So I decided to give Simplicity 1798 a go, which is a Project Runway pattern from the Autumn 2012 collection.

I bought this pattern pretty much as soon as it came out, as I was drawn to its lovely silhouette  the reglan sleeves and the notched neckline (unfortunately not so much the peplum, despite being a huge fan of peplums in general). So I made just that! It's a view A bodice with reglan sleeves.

Originally my ceremony was going to be in December, but as there was a last minute cancellation, my space was moved to today - this gave me little time to pull this all together, especially as I was away in the weekend. But a couple of evenings later, it is done!



I cut a size 4, which is what I normally do with Project Runway patterns, but it turned out a bit small. Either I expanded in the last few weeks (which is highly likely, given my um, increased food intake in colder weather), or this pattern runs small! Obviously I have not got a 22 inch waist, but I usually find that the design and wearing ease included in a pattern is a bit excessive, so I would typically cut a smaller size. 

I didn't need to let out the side seams thankfully (the midriff band complicates matters), but I did use a rather narrow seam at the back when inserting the zipper. I also made a tiny SBA to this princess seamed bodice, which was super easy. The only other alteration I made was that I shortened the skirt by 6cm so that it finishes just above my knees. 

This pattern did not disappoint. The dress turned out to be everything that I wanted (albeit a bit tight... so tiny breaths), and I just love the neckline. It was easier to make than I thought, too, and the facing stays in place and is extremely well-behaved. What more could I ask for? 


Some "in-action" photos: 

The Registrar, me, and the Queen (she was there in spirit!) - doesn't the dress go perfectly with the flag in the background? 






Signing my life away:


30 comments:

  1. This is s beautiful little number, well done you! And it's amazing that you already put your swap fabric to good use!

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    1. Thank you Marie! Yep, I have, although based on my reading of some of the other blogs, I am certainly not the first one! Have you seen Roisin's cute Russian doll dress?

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  2. Yaaaay Alice!! Well done on sewing this up this cute dress so quickly and congrats on the citizenship ceremony! You look way more enthusiastic than those people in the background.

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    1. Thank you Amy! Haha, I was looking at the photo and thought the same thing!

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  3. You look absolutely lovely and so does your dress. I would never guess that it felt a bit tight. Congratulations on your citizenship. I know from some of my US friends that it's not easy getting citizenship. Did you have to have one of those crazy interviews about your UK general knowledge?!

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    1. Thank you Karen. I did manage to have lunch in it and it wasn't too painful :p
      I am very impressed by your knowledge of this - I did have to sit an exam which asked all sorts of questions that you wouldn't really expect (it's called a Life in the UK test, and the syllabus is still based on a book which was written in 2005)... Needless to say I had to revise rather hard for it - in reality I felt that it was more of a history and memory test!

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  4. What a lovely dress! Congratulations on your citizenship!

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  5. Congratulations! What a big event, you look very happy and quite lovely in your perfect new dress!

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    1. Thank you Coco :-) It was a good event, with a pretty relaxed atmosphere. Who wouldn't look happy when you have have a photo with the Queen? :p

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  6. Congratulations on your citizenship ceremony. I'm so pleased the fabric has been put to such good use!

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    1. Thank you so much again for the fabric - it was perfect for the occasion :D

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  7. Congratulations! I can't believe you made the dress since the swap, that's seriously fast sewing! It's lovely.

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    1. Thank you Catherine! You know, I was certainly not the first one to have finished a project since the swap - I know that Roisin and Helen have both made Russin doll - themed items, both super cute :-)

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  8. You chose your fabric and pattern so well symbolic without going overboard and even better you've used one of your swaps. Congratulations.

    By the way is a puzzle why I don't appear in your photo because I was there.

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    1. Thank you Mellie!

      Indeed! I just assumed that you had gone somewhere when the picture was taken... or were you just feeling shy? :p

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    1. Thank you Beth! I'm glad you like it :-)

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  10. Congratulations darling and I am in love with your dress.. its so beautiful!

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  11. Congratulations! Such a sweet little dress, very fitting for the occasion :)

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  12. I've been checking PR periodically to see if anyone else has made this dress, because I loved the look of it but was too chicken to do it first, LOL! I like your version, very smart for such an important event! Congratulations on your new citizenship!

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    1. That's wonderful - I'm so glad that I could help :-) I couldn't quite believe that I was lucky enough to be the first person to review the pattern!

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  13. Congratulations! This looks so cute on you!

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  14. Congratulations!!!! The dress is totally perfect, in every way. The UK is lucky to have you as officially one of its citizens! xxx

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  15. Oooh I love this fabric, and the style is so pretty, yay you! :)

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    1. Thank you Elise :) I was so pleased to have snapped it up from the swap - it was just so perfect for this occasion!

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