Finished - the queue jumping Marianne

Hello! Happy New Year! No round up post yet - I love a round up as much as the next blogger but I'm still catching up on the last of my 2015 projects, some of which are definite favourites. Nearly there!

The ever delightful and generous Blogless Anna gave me a surprise birthday gift! Apparently I'd given her the impression that I like a bit of stripe action (goodness knows HOW!) and I was thrilled to open a beautiful little package containing some lovely cotton navy and white striped jersey and a copy of Christine Haynes' Marianne knit dress pattern!

Now I'm the first person to ask the question how many knit dress/top patterns does a girl need? I hadn't ever really considered buying this pattern as I already have few different knit dresses in the pattern stash, but I do find I'm the kind of crafty lady that likes to take a little bit of this pattern and a little bit of that and make a mega mashup. I'm the kind of girl who has a shelf of recipe books and firmly believes that having one or two fab recipes justifies the continued position on said shelf. So I'm a bit the same with patterns and was of course delighted to be given the opportunity to try a new little knit summer dress. 

I made this after our holiday so it's not officially part of the resort collection. It was a bit of a whim actually, whipped up one night whilst the husband was away for work. Ages and ages ago one of my clients came in wearing a stripey top, not dissimilar to the Bronte top, with a neon yellow neck binding. I filed it away and thought how cool (but better in pink!). I had a little leftover neonish coral pink knit leftover from a singlet and knew the colour combo would be perfect! 

I went with a straight size 6 - the finished measurements are printed on the back of the pattern and makes it very easy to choose a size based on the amount of ease you'd like - despite my hip measurements putting me in the next size up there was actually plenty there.  Looking at these pics I do have a bit of a fold at the bust which I think is bra and ease related - it's not there when I wear other bras, and it is there on a t-shirt version I've made that has less stretch, so it's probably worth sizing up in a knit that isn't super stretchy.

I've really noticed lately my Maria Denmark kimono tees just aren't sitting well on my shoulders. Clearly I'm becoming a hunched old crone, and so I decided after the success of my forward shoulder adjustment on my recent Inari that I'd do one on this dress straight away. It worked a treat and it sits perfectly. 

I also decided before cutting anything that I'd change the hem shape. It's a very A-line dress and I know from several previous dresses that A-line just doesn't float my wide-hipped boat (and I'll be honest - there's a point where a short A-line crosses into the Territory of Twee and I have no wish to visit there). I've adjusted most of them over the last couple of years turning them either into straight or pegged skirts so I made that adjustment to my traced pattern too (see below). I think from memory I cut the length of the 6, but should have cut a bit longer as this is pretty short and has a very scant hem - I'm happy with the length but an extra inch or so of hem would make it sit better. I also lowered the front neckline just a smidge (about 1cm I think), tapering to nothing at the shoulders. 

From most of the versions I've seen most ladies seem to have some lower back pooling and this is just the way it is with a relaxed fit knit dress with no back darts. I knew it would be the same for me. In a nice lightweight knit for a short sleeved summer dress I don't mind it at all but any future long sleeve or heavier knit versions will definitely have the back darts from the Maria Denmark Audrey dress added in (see my version here).  

Construction was simple - the only struggle I had was to try to hem the sleeves in the round. I ended up unpicking the side seams a little and hemming them flat. The fabric (which I believe is this one, from the Drapery) is gorgeous but curled heinously and made stripe matching rather tedious. Got there in the end, with moderate success.....

I love this little dress! I've worn it constantly since making it - it's perfect for these hot days we've been having. I like it so much I decided to make a tee version. I know, I know, I've been in a fairly monogamous relationship with my Maria Denmark tee pattern for such a long time. I never thought I'd stray! It was as easy as measuring the unhemmed length of my MD pattern and cutting the same length. The main point of difference between the two patterns is that the Marianne is more of a capped sleeve, snugger in the armpits with a curved shoulder seam. It's nice to try something different.

I know it's not exciting but I'd love another dress in a nice grey marle knit, and definitely want to try the split bodice version. And try out the tee with a bateau neckline.... 

Thanks Anna for knowing what would be just right for me!

Xxx