blue laurel
I made a new Laurel dress over the weekend. I’m not nearly as happy with it as the first one. The dress itself if quite cute but it doesn’t seem to fit me as well. I think the main problem lies in that I had forgotten to pre-shrink the fabric on the first version so it is just a touch more fitting than this one. I’ll most likely give this one a hot wash before moving forward with any other alterations.
On the other hand, I am really happy with how the fabric looks and since it is just a touch too big it’s quite comfortable.
It is the last day of September and I’m so terribly excited for October. I’ve already begun a list of horror movies to watch. September has been mostly a drag. It hasn’t been a very busy month and I thought I would have more time to accomplish little projects but as of right now I’ve only crossed off 3 items from my to do list. I’m looking forward to putting this month to a close and starting my favorite month of all!
Laurel
I finished my Laurel dress! Hooray! I made few simple alterations, adding some darts in the front, lowering the neckline and embellishing with a pleated bib. Having such an easy pattern allowed me to flex my creativity a bit in making the dress exactly what I wanted. I’m already brainstorming my next dress. I think I’d like to try it in knit or something a little more flowy. With it’s light weight and soft colors, this dress will be perfect for spring and summer.
photos by Shawn Bannon
laurel beginnings
After much dressmaking debate, I settled on making the Laurel from Colette patterns. It was my first time printing a pdf pattern at home actually. The good thing about it is I’ve already got a fairly sturdy pattern for the next time I’d like to make the dress (which will probably be soon) and of course, I was able to get it immediately, without a trip to the store. It did take awhile to cut and paste together but it wasn’t too bad overall.
The dress is by far the simplest thing I’ve made in awhile. I’ve got the basic construction done, and am in the process of adding a few alterations and embellishments.
In other news, after a new set of paint samples we’ve finally decided on a color for the living room. I can’t wait to get painting. Unfortunately, some other repairs are going on in our apartment building so it will probably have to wait a few more weeks. It’s really for the best, since I have several projects going at once already. It will be nice when I’m finishing some of them instead of just starting.
A rare moment of Mochi not minding Weetzie.
dresses
I tend to get obsessed with multiple projects at once. Right now I’m balancing painting and writing and brainstorming dresses to sew. I often fantasize about only wearing prairie dresses, even though I realize everyone would look at me funny if I did. I am in love with these dresses from Anna Allen. I’m very pleased that she says she’ll be offering sewing patterns in the future because I’d love to make my own.
I’m also thinking about entering the Laurel Sewing Contest from Colette Patterns. The prizes are crazy good. I tend to wear dresses that are a little more fitted, but I have some fabric I’ve been meaning to turn into a dress since last summer. It would be best for me to just just make some adjustments and make a dress rather than keep the fabric as nothing forever. Plus it’s a very simple dress, just the right thing to get me back in the sewing habit.
Do you have any dresses you love? Share your favorites.
photos from Anna Allen and Colette Patterns
