Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Simplicity 6117

Hello again, friends! I'm back with a groovy shift dress, made from a few yards or gorgeous Nani Iro double gauze. This is Simplicity 6117, a one-piece shift dress from 1965 with a tie waist that gives some nice shape and pizzazz.
This double gauze is a dream. First off, I'm not sure I've ever worked with any fabric that was more accurately named. It literally is two layers of gauze. It's so soft, almost like a lightweight well-washed flannel, which makes it great for lots of seasons, especially here in Texas where tights with a short-sleeve shirt is about all we need even at this time of year. 
One of the many reasons I love sewing vintage patterns is I come across unusual construction details I don't often see. This one actually has a zip front, believe it or not! It's tucked away under that placket. This was an unexpected surprise, and one I've enjoyed wearing - not a worry about any gaping when you've got a dress-length zipper all down your front! 
The CF edges are finished with bias binding. The collar connects to the dress with a facing, which I then catch-stitched down. The pattern called for the hems to also be hand-stitched, but I chose to machine stitch them to match the top-stitching down CF. 
The patches of saturated plaid on the print, along with the collar and button detail from the pattern really make this shift for me.  It's also insanely comfortable. This is basically a fancy muumuu that is cinched with a belt!
It's been awhile since I've seen you guys, and my sporadic posting will likely continue, so I figured I better have an animated gif to keep the excitement up! A lot of my creative energy has been going towards a newfound passion for cooking, which has taken up a good deal of the time I used to use for sewing. 

17 comments:

  1. Oooohhh, I want to try that pattern for the front zip. Looks like a good learning experience!

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    1. It really was! I thought it would be super tricky, but it turned out to be straightforward!

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  2. This dress is really lovely - the fabric, the collar! And I am so impressed that you have been altering things you've made - I have a slowly growing pile of things that need some attention...

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    1. It's a bear to be sure. I just try to do it slowly, so I feel like I'm not spending my life altering!

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  3. Before I got down to the latter part of your post I was thinking how healthy you're looking so the cooking and eating changes are obviously working for you. Lovely to see you posting again and this is a great dress :)

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  4. So good to see you again - and in such a lovely dress. Glad to hear you have found an eating plan that works for your food allergies, and that you enjoy cooking! Hope to see more of your sewing projects as your schedule permits!

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  5. Merry Christmas! You are looking gorgeous as usual, and isn't it amazing what a difference the waist tie makes. I am determined to do more natural, healthy cooking next year. xxx

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    1. It is! Good luck with the cooking! It's such a pleasure once you get past the usual trickiness of being a beginner!

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  6. I have really enjoyed reading your blog this year - such lovely makes.
    Wishing you a brilliant 2016!

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  7. My daughter and I love your blog! Hope you can keep up with the vintage sewing projects in addition to your cooking! We so enjoy seeing your creations!

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  8. Love the gif at the end! Glad you have found out what foods work for you. I am in the middle of that process right now lots of digestive problems and cutting things out. Louise x happy new year.

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  9. This is very much a work in progress whenever I find out about one who is more beautiful topaussiewriters.com than any of these I will add her and kick out number ten Thanks for sharing the informative post.assignment writers australia

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