Friday 24 August 2012

garden party

A dress for a Summer Fête (or maybe to harvest zucchinis...as I'm doing here...)
Originally I had planned orange horizontal stripes on the skirt, but I dropped them in favour of the navy grosgrain belt. 
I couldn't let go of the orange stripe completely, so I incorporated a flirty orange hem on the inside of the skirt - just enough to peak out as I walk, but not an obvious stripe.  It also saved me an extra centimetre in length, since I cut the skirt shorter than intended.  (Also a handy trick for when the main fabric is in short supply.)
The grosgrain ribbon belt is a tie from an old pair of shorts.  I cut off the leather ends and added a hook and eye closure.
These three pleats on each hip are in place of gathers.  I like the effect, the skirt is very light and the pleats unfold ever so slightly with the wind as you walk.

Now to find the party...!

23 comments:

  1. What a pretty print, the dress came out so beautiful! Absolutely love it.

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  2. I LOVE this fabric! I have been looking forever for some red flowered print. Jealous! It looks great!

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    1. Hello & thanks very much! I found it at the Fabricland summer sale if you're close to one!

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  3. Oh yes I'm very glad I found your blog. You're immediately going on my reading list. LOVELY CLOTHES!!

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    1. Hi there! Thank you - I've added you too & looking forward to following!

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  4. This is so pretty! I love it!

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  5. ack, so very pretty! in this dress, i do believe the party will come to YOU. heralded by tiny birds and such.

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    1. ha ha! It was actually a party of raccoons that showed up in the end, but who's counting :)

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  6. This is such a nice and summery dress. I love the colour combination, the fabric is very nice. It makes me feel like doing some gardening, if only I had a garden...

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    1. Gosh, thanks very much! I don't have a garden either, I borrowed my mom's for this one :)

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  7. Ooh this is so lovely! It's beautifully summery and looks so cute on you :-)

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  8. what a lovely dress. I really like the pleats. The grosgrain is a genius idea.

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    1. Hello and thanks very much! I was happy to upcycle the belt :)

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  9. I saw this dress on the Burda website. It is so beautiful - I love the fabric and I like the pleats rather than gathers. I wish there was a pattern!

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    1. Thanks very much! Maybe I can do something about that!

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  10. I love this dress! Would it look nice in lace? What do you think? Thanks

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    1. I would LOVE too see it in lace!!! Please send me a pic if you do!

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  11. Hi ! I love this dress and your cloth choice and maybe the grey variant (picture where you're inside) more (if it's possible). Could you tell me where you find the pattern please.

    Maybe it's somewhere in the blog but my english is rough (I'm french). Thanks

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    1. Hi Cecile,
      I'm sorry for the late reply - I didn't see your comment! It's on the blog under "Make This". Email me if you have any problems downloading. Again, so sorry I missed your message!

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    2. Hi Cecile,
      I'm sorry for the late reply - I didn't see your comment! It's on the blog under "Make This". Email me if you have any problems downloading. Again, so sorry I missed your message!

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