Tuesday 10 November 2015

A Pink and Blue Christmas Dress

I know, I know, not the usual colours you think of when you think Christmas dress, but when I spotted this adorable Gingerbread house print cotton at spotlight, I just knew I had to have it for my Christmas dress this year.


I bought it well over a month ago, on sale for 50% off (making it around $7.50 p/m) but didn't yet know what pattern I was going to make. About a week or so ago, as I flicked through my patterns, I decided on Butterick B5882. As luck would have it, I had the perfect coordinating pink cotton poplin, so I could get to work on it as soon as I wanted.


I didn't take many progress photos, as Gertie herself has posted a few times about this dress's construction, Including a great one on how to do an FBA on it (which I did not do) and this one when she made the dress for herself.

I found the pleated bust pieces very hard to get to sit right, but tried my best to. When I sewed them into the bodice I didn't fold down the top corners like the pattern calls for, as I didn't like how it looked.

Bodice - without lining or boning

The whole pattern went together quite easily, and I only made very minimal changes along the way. I didn't twist the bias straps, but instead had them flat the whole way around. I also just put in a regular dress zip in back instead of a lapped zipper. As the fabric print had horizontal lines of gingerbread houses, I felt it lent itself to a gathered skirt instead of the 3/4 circle skirt included with the pattern. So I simply cut 2 29" long pieces of my 44" wide fabric, cutting one in half for the back zip, sewed together with added in seam pockets and gathered in to fit the bodice

Selfie when trying on (before hand sewing)

I was originally going to leave out the boning, but because of the bust minimising design, it really needed it to sit right, so I just used some very light boning along the seam lines on the lining.

Done!

I hand sewed the bias strap in place along the bust line so it wouldn't keep flipping up.

Pink Pockets!!!

The lining and pockets are in the same Pink Poplin as the straps and bust details. I love the colour peeking out!

I have already worn this out, and had a few nice comments, as well as a girl working at K-Mart, who asked where I bought it! I love how it looks and how it fits, so this will be getting lots of wear this Christmas season (and maybe other times of year as well)

Anyone else making/made a new Christmas Dress/Skirt/Outfit this year?

Dixie

10 comments:

  1. Fantastic dress, it's a super cute choice for Christmas. I was thinking maybe a red velvet to channel my inner Mrs clause this year. ❤️

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    1. I have always wanted to make a red velvet christmas dress (I even have the fabric) but it is just way too hot here, so it's cotton dresses all the way

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  2. It's adorable! That gingerbread house print is just perfect for Christmas. It might not be in traditional Christmas colours, but few things say Christmas like a gingerbread house (or a couple of hundred of the things).

    I hope that girl was appropriately impressed when you told her you made the dress yourself.

    Katie @ Katie Writes Stuff

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    1. Thanks Katie. I think she was more disappointed she couldn't just go buy herself one, I did tell her where she could get the fabric from though.

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  3. That dress is officially over-the-moon adorable. Love, love, love!!! :)

    ♥ Jessica

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  4. Man that's cute! I've been trying to figure out what to make to wear to my company Holiday party, this is good inspiration :)

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    1. Glad I could help you with inspiration :) I'm actually wearing this dress at work right now! hehehe

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  5. Love the colors and print of the fabric! So cute! I think you picked the perfect pattern to show off that awesome print. My Christmas outfit is going to be a traditional color scheme of red, green and white *IF* I can find the fabric I need for my blouse! :D ❤

    xox,
    bonita of Lavender & Twill

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    1. I love traditional Christmas colours too, but I already have Christmas dresses in those colours from previous years, and when I saw this fabric, I just had to have it. Can't wait to see your Christmas outfit, I hope you find the perfect fabric :)

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