Friday, August 14, 2009

Baby, it's HOT outside!

Butterick 5348 - "Babydoll Blues"

Here's my review at PR.

Please forgive the lopsided pics, Little Miss Princess was playing Little Miss Photographer tonite! She getting good at knowing how much of the outfit I need in the frame. "Just the dress, right Mom???" And, yes... it is HOT here. 90 today, tomorrow, and Sunday. A/C and swimming, that how we roll.

Front
Back
Side



I could've place the back skirt piece on the fold, since the closure is not a full back zipper (as I assumed before reading the instructions more closely), but matched the embroidery pattern at both sides and the center back to it would be continuous.

It's much dressier than I anticipated, maybe it's the sheen of the cotton, so I need a fancy place to wear this to. Maybe a nice dinner out with the sewing girls while I'm in New York?

I'm not a huge fan of gathers in the front ("Oh! How far along are you???" are the words I fear being asked), but I really wanted a sundress that would work with a border print, and I thought it had a closer fit in the waist, but it's actually pretty comfortable. The fabric is an Anna Sui cotton from Ressy's co-op. 2 yards, and I used every inch of it! Even the 3 little squares I had left, which became the belt!

Speaking of the belt... I cut around the 3 linked squares, leaving about 1/4", which I folded over and hand-stitched down. I then cut a similar sized piece from the scrap leftovers, and found some fusible Timtex in the craft closet (I have a few "fabric bowls" in my past). I sandwiched the timtex between the embroidery and the backing, using lots of heat and pressure. When it cooled, I just (very closely) trimmed away the excess, then stitched two embroidered "circles" from the scraps on the ends for the grosgrain ribbon to pass through. Voila! A matching belt, which also help bring some definition to the waist area. I'm thinking that a navy shrug/bolero/cardigan will help stretch the usefulness of this piece, but I don't want to hide the cute little belt!

Now, I really, really have to get to work on the muslins for NYC!!! No more distractions! Yeah, right...

Non-sewing comment of the day: Tooth fairy is visiting my house AGAIN tonite, and Little Miss Princess has a big gaping hole in the front of her mouth to prove it! All 4 front teeth have disappeared, with 1 peeking out from the gum on the bottom. Time to go dig out the "Tooth Fairy Pillow" that once upon a time, was mine. So glad that I saved it for my daughter...

22 comments:

Amanda S. said...

Okay, when/if you get tired of that dress, feel free to box it up and send it to me. It is SUPER CUTE!!! Love the print and the belt. How creative of you to use scraps and make it matching. And your daughter took the pictures?!! Wow, she did an extremely good job. What is she, 5?! My five year old might get the top of me head in frame. Maybe and ear. Don't get me started about your "heat wave"... :)

Amanda S. said...

Make that the top of MY head and AN ear. I apparently can't type tonight.

Kathi said...

What a cute dress! I love the border fabric, where did you find it?
My son has two loose teeth - the top two. It is awful when he wiggles them because they grate against each other. I will be so glad when they fall out!

HeathersSphere said...

This is just spectacular, Kristine! Your dress is a work of art. Beautiful work. You are divinely gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Ressy's Co-op is a Yahoo Group, called Fabrics and Notions. Here's the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FabricsAndNotions/
It's a very unique purchasing situation, so if you want more info, let me know.

Tamara said...

Beautiful dress!! The extra work you put into the belt was definitely worth it!

Jenny said...

Wow! The dress is beautiful by itself, but the belt takes it to a whole new level of awesomeness! :-)

Shannon said...

Your dress looks so summery and fresh!

Lisa said...

You look so good! The border printed fabric is just awesome!

Maryissewfast said...

Darling dress and I love what you did with the belt! Good job!

Michelle said...

This looks FANTASTIC! i just love it, and that belt was a stroke of genius!

Rose said...

I love the fabric and you did a great job of selecting a pattern that takes advantage of the border! Great job!

Kim said...

Love it! And yes, boy is it hot this weekend!

gwensews said...

That's a perfect dress on this hot as h--- day! Very nice use of the border print. Stay cool.

wendy said...

Sooo gorgeous! I love the colors & the pattern matching is perfect. :-D
Definitely a good NYC dress ;)

Summerset said...

No, it's just you! You look fantastic in that dress, again, I think it is that type of neckline that bares the shoulders. The belt was very clever and is perfect for reining in the volume.

Unknown said...

Love that dress. I hope you get lots of wear out of it. the belt is just the perfect touch. g

Bunny said...

What a wonderful dress, perfect for this hot weather. And yes, go out for a nice dinner with DH in this one. He won't take his eyes off of you!

julia said...

I love the dress. The belt is a perfect detail! I'm making a toothfairy pillow for a lady who works at the nursing home where my mother is. She bought the stuff and didn't want to make it. I don't have time!

Meg said...

Clever idea with the belt! Perfect dress for summer.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

That dress is awesome and soooo cute! I love a good border print and I love how you used every bit of this one!!!

Tee said...

You look great in that dress! You did a fab job and the belt is pricelesss!