Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Home Sewing is Easy Dress

In between spending a full day sewing with Gertie in her "Home Sewing is Easy" dress, and Sew Dolly Clackett to celebrate Roisin's upcoming nuptials, it seemed destined for me to make my own version of this glorious dress. I promptly moved it to the top of my sewing queue and got to stitching. Doesn't it just make you smile?!
I used the Emery Dress pattern, modifying the sleeves to be capped. I knew it would showcase the print marvelously. I've made the Emery several times before (one, two, and three), and although it fits me well, I realized after taking my pattern making class that I could be making things with a much closer fit. I used my sloper to make adjustments to the Emery bodice and sewed up another test muslin. I liked the fit before, but boy, do I like it now! 
The fabric is designed by Alexander Henry, and is wonderfully colorful and cheery. AND it's sewing themed! The quotes are just stupendous, like, "The name of my dressmaker? Why certainly it's me!" You just can't beat a good dress that's also a fun read.
The eagle eye among you will notice that I have matched the pattern at the back bodice where the lapped zipper is. Oi! Matching up that gentleman's face was quite a bother. I ripped and re-stitched several times, managing in the process to turn "home sewing is easy" into a curse phrase. But now, "Honey, I look tops!"
My photographer for these grand photos was Dixie of Dixie DIY, and I am ever so thankful! We stopped off at The Common Thread, a local fabric shop, after lunch and snapped these just outside. I also made a pit stop at Stitch Lab to say hi to my pattern making friends and got the photo by the notions. A superb day of wearing sewing-themed clothes, hanging out with sewing friends in sewing places! 

And many congratulations to a virtual sewing friend, Roisin, on her upcoming marriage! It was magnificent sewing a dress in her style to honor her big day! 
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40 comments:

  1. Panda HeadApril 23, 2014 at 6:40 AM

    What a beautiful Emery - the fit looks perfect!

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 23, 2014 at 9:01 AM

      Thank you! I might try using my sloper more often for fitting. It was extremely useful!

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  2. Sew little timeApril 23, 2014 at 6:43 AM

    lovely dress. and awesome pattern matching! the lady herself couldn't have done better!

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  3. AlmondRockApril 23, 2014 at 7:06 AM

    Good grief, I'm feeling faint from how good your pattern matching is over the zip!
    Lovely dress :-)

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  4. AnonymousApril 23, 2014 at 8:01 AM

    This is a stupendous dress!! I adore this fabric and have my own version from Simplicity 3673. Your pattern matching is a thing to be celebrated. Wow!!

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 23, 2014 at 9:00 AM

      Thanks, Sarah! I saw your version, and it is very va va voom!!

      Delete
  5. KellyApril 23, 2014 at 9:23 AM

    So cute! I am very impressed with your matching in the back, that's really a feat!

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  6. JoannaApril 23, 2014 at 9:37 AM

    You did such a marvelous job of lining up the panels in the back. Love this dress. I can see how you will get a lot of use from it!

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 23, 2014 at 10:21 AM

      Thanks, Joanna! I think I will. I love that there's so many ways I can accessorize it with all those colors!

      Delete
  7. AnonymousApril 23, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    First, the fit is GORGEOUS. It really looks fabulous. Second. PATTERN MATCHING. It looks amazing. Third, I LOVE your shoes. Finally, everything about this is really lovely. :-D

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 23, 2014 at 10:21 AM

      Thank you!! The shoes are from Modcloth if you fancy a pair! :0)

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  8. Ruth - Nightingale and DolittleApril 23, 2014 at 11:16 AM

    Great dress! And well done for persevering through home sewing not being so easy on the pattern matching - it was definitely worth it!

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 23, 2014 at 12:44 PM

      Thanks, Ruth! I agree. I always think those little details are what make home sewing so wonderful, even if I might need a glass of wine in the moment!

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  9. CarolineApril 23, 2014 at 2:13 PM

    Amazing pattern matching lady!!
    Check you out - you look fantastic ; )
    That print really works well on you too x

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 23, 2014 at 9:43 PM

      Thank ya, Caroline! I was a bit worried that the print would be overwhelming, so I was pleasantly surprised with how well it worked out in the end!

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  10. LynneApril 24, 2014 at 12:23 PM

    This is lovely! The pattern matching on the back is amazing! When I saw the second photo down, I wondered if you had made the back as one piece and put a zip in the side!

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 24, 2014 at 6:10 PM

      Oooh, I tricked you! That makes me glow with pride! Thank you, Lynne!

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  11. KatgoesoinkApril 24, 2014 at 4:24 PM

    I love your dress! Everything about this dress is amazing. I saw this fabric at my local fabric store and decided against it because it wasn't me. After seeing your dress, I regret my decision. Your pattern matching on your lapped zipper is amazing. I've been really wanting to try my hand at lapped zipper and yours might give me the motivation to give it a try!

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 24, 2014 at 6:11 PM

      Thanks, Kathy! I had passed it up before, too, but I just couldn't resist once I saw how wonderful Gertie's was at the Beacon retreat. Lapped zippers are wonderful! They're such a fun finish. I'd be happy to help if you decide to give it a go and get stuck.

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  12. WhitneyApril 24, 2014 at 8:07 PM

    Holy cow, what an awesome job-- especially the back! Definitely makes me want to try a lapped zipper!

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 25, 2014 at 10:38 AM

      Thanks, Whitney!! I've got a tutorial on it if you want to give it a go - http://rosiewednesday.blogspot.com/2014/01/shift-dress-sew-along-installing-lapped.html. I baste before I do the lapped zipper, which made pattern matching much easier. That way I wasn't trying to fiddle with it while installing the zipper!

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  13. Poppy BlackApril 25, 2014 at 4:23 AM

    You look stunning! What a fabulous fit- which I noticed before I read how pleased you are with it. The bit about creating a curse made me laugh! The pattern matching is incredible - you are super clever.

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 25, 2014 at 10:36 AM

      Thank you, Poppy! That's what you have to do to get through a tough go of pattern matching. Make yourself chuckle!

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  14. tanyamaileApril 25, 2014 at 7:36 AM

    Super duper fabulous!! And the pattern matching is awesome! You are a rock star! I was just looking at this fabric in person the other day and the wheels were whirling in my head. Not sure I'm ready yet to take the plunge. I will just live vicariously through you for now. :)

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 25, 2014 at 10:37 AM

      Thank ya, lady! It does feel like adventurous fabric, doesn't it? I'm desperately hoping I'll be able to wear it to work without too many sideways glances!

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  15. KimPApril 25, 2014 at 10:17 PM

    That is a gorgeous fit!!!! The time you spent on that sloper was well spent - and what a fun dress. : )

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 27, 2014 at 5:42 PM

      Thanks, Kim! I'm glad I went back with the sloper, too. I'm thinking of using it a lot more for fitting! It worked out so well this time.

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  16. Amy R.April 26, 2014 at 6:47 PM

    Love the dress! I have that fabric, but I have *just not enough* to make a cute shift dress :( So I have decided to hoard it instead...lol.

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 27, 2014 at 5:42 PM

      Oh fiddle! Think you could do a contrasting fabric in a strip across the bottom or in the sleeves to make it work out?

      Delete
  17. AnonymousApril 27, 2014 at 9:06 AM

    Amazing job on the pattern matching on the back of the dress! Gorgeous as usual!

    Xox Jenny

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 27, 2014 at 5:43 PM

      Thanks so much, Jenny! Although I don't think anything can match the sheer quantity of lovely dresses you sewed!

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  18. VonnieApril 28, 2014 at 10:21 PM

    Love love the dress - and the fabric. I JUST found your blog because you popped up on my fb. Glad you did :). Off to have a read now!

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 29, 2014 at 8:05 AM

      Thanks so much, Vonnie! It's such a fun fabric, isn't it?!

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  19. ChristineApril 30, 2014 at 2:05 AM

    love it!!!!! and perfect for the occasion!

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 30, 2014 at 5:41 PM

      Thanks, Christine! I continue to be obsessed with your darling pattern!

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  20. Nicole from PudgeAndNico.comApril 30, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    You've TOTALLY nailed the fit on this one! I love it and kinda sorta really want to copy it!

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    1. Rosie WednesdayApril 30, 2014 at 5:41 PM

      Do it!! Wouldn't it be fun to have a meet up where we all wore our Home Sewing is Easy dresses?!

      Delete

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