Finished - New looks here, new looks there

Oooh what do you think of my bloggy spruce up? It happened quite by accident (although I had been thinking for a while that change was needed). This morning I went to write this post and noticed Blogger had some new templates. I clicked on one, Soho, went 'Oooh' myself and slid down the html rabbit hole for the next couple of hours. At one point I believe my header picture was a beautiful photo of some figs, and at another point someone else's very handsome cat was glaring back at me, but eventually my toes appeared and I was satisfied it would do for another 4 years!


The other New Look I am sharing with you (see, now you get it don't you?!) is New Look 6411, a simple raglan shift with bust darts, a slight cocoon hem and a neckline facing.


I first started planning a version of this dress last summer, when a client came into work wearing a very cute little denim (or maybe tencel) shift - cap sleeves, relaxed fit, and some pockets in a cross-body seam. I filed it away in my little mental planner, and when I found some very lightweight denim at Spotlight I knew exactly what it would become.



Many patterns were auditioned for this frock, but in the end I went for this one just to try something different. I've not made many raglan garments, but I know New Look patterns seem to fit me very well with little alteration so I had high hopes.




I whipped up a very quick toile using a crazy cotton linen print also from Spotty. I decided to cut a 12 sleeve/neckline, 14 bust (as per my measurements) and a 16 hip (also as per my measurements). The fit was really pretty good straight out of the envelope but I ended up adding 2/8 to the side seams from below the bust for just a little more ease to match my inspiration idea. I was able to perform a 1cm forward shoulder adjustment on my toile (thanks to 1.5cm/5/8 inch seam allowances!) using this tutorial and it worked very well. I decided I wanted some shaping in the back and I was also able to establish that the back neck opening really isn't needed and so for the final version I was able to eliminate the CB seam altogether.


I'm so pleased with the fit of the toile that eventually I'll make it up properly and wear it as a top (it really is too much as a frock I'm afraid).


And so to the final version - it's probably easier to just list the changes I made - it seems a lot but really they are just tweaks to get the look I was after:

- extra 2/8 inch on side seams from below bust dart
- 1cm FSA (apologies for switching between metric and empirial but I really do use and think in both!)
- added the back darts of New Look 6808 for some subtle shaping


- shortened the sleeves to be as short as possible and still have a hem allowance
- shortened the length (considerably - several centimetres, strumpet that I am)
- eliminated centre back seam
- added a seam mid-hip to front and back pieces, with inseam pockets. I used this Colette tutorial,  and from memory I suspect I just drafted the pocket pieces myself. The only deviation I took from the tutorial was to attach the pocket pieces with a 1cm or 3/8 inch SA rather than 5/8 inch - it just helps to keep the edges of the pockets rolled in, not so much a big deal if you use self fabric but important if you use a contrasting one.


I hope you don't mind my photo overload - Anna and I went on a daytrip to Bendigo a few weeks ago and the light in the conservatory was so amazing, and the plantage so beautiful, it was quite hard to pick just a few favourites!

Comments

  1. Lovely new blog look. You already know how much I adore this dress. It was the perfect photographing location.

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    1. Thanks lovely! I'm pretty gobsmacked with how good your iPhone camera is!

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  2. Looks awesome Sarah! I gave my chambray shift dress to a friend at the end of last summer (when it was pointed out to me that it was short enough to show my knickers when I lifted my arms above my head, not what i was going for...), and this post makes me miss it! I'll need to make another one. Love the pockets across the front, and the topstitching around the facing :)

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    1. Thanks Kirsten! So sad about your dress but I agree that moving it on was a wise move!

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  3. This is seriously AWESOME!!!!! I love the pockets :D

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  4. It looks great, I have this pattern and by the sounds of it roughly the same measurements too so I will adjust my pattern to match yours. I will give the pockets a go, as they really finish it off.

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    1. That's great - hope it works well for you, I'm so pleased with mine!

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  5. Your dress is the perfect summer dress for me! I love the denim with the pockets and the comfortable shape. Would definitely like to have it hanging in my closet come summer ;) And congratulations on your fancy new blog look!

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    1. Thanks Julia - it's been a winner especially on summer days that are hot but not too hot!

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  6. Oh wow! I love this! And your blog is looking very nice. X

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  7. Awesome new blog look. Great photo-shoot and fab dress!

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    1. Thanks Caroline - a few more tweaks needed but I'm really happy with the facelift!

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  8. This is a gorgeous dress! I love the Raglan sleeves, and your added pockets (which remind me of the nice pockets on the V1247 skirt). Your new blog look is great too!

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    1. Thankyou Kathryn - I love the pockets too, I've put them on a jumper I made last year too!

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  9. I love the changes you made (to both blog and dress pattern, ha ha, both look great ;o)

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  10. beautiful make - fantastic dress

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  11. This is so cute! I love the added pockets... will have to file away that idea for myself someday!

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    1. Thanks Lisa - I've been wanting to do it since Colette posted that modification - there's something about the look that I just love!

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  12. Very cute dress! Love the pockets ( I am ever so slightly obsessed with pockets!). Looking at the lovely photos I did wonder if it was the conservatory in Bendigo- happy to see I was correct!!!

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    1. Thanks Dianne! I love the pockets too! I'm making a winter version in a navy ponte with the same changes, it's been a real winner!

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