The Secret World of Haute Couture

I stumbled upon this BBC documentary yesterday, and I think it is really interesting. I have never been big into fashion until I started to sew my own clothes. Even now I don't care about what's "in fashion". I really couldn't care less about what is trendy. But I can appreciate the process and work that goes into these true pieces of art.

My second Monique dress

Just a couple of pictures of my second Monique Dress. You can read all about the first version with a review here.

I made both dresses within a week. In this second version I was able to finally tweak out the problem I had with the lining and the side seams not matching up.

The fabric is Whimsicol in Tide from Nordika by Jeni Baker

I love this border print! And my new red shoes ;)

I added black piping to accentuate the waistband.

Here a closeup of the piping.

 

And the inside of the dress. As with my first version I only lined the bodice. It's a 50/50 silk cotton blend.

Monique Dress by Sew Serendipity

It took me about a year to finish this dress, but finally it's done. I bought the pattern a year ago because I wanted a dress pattern designed for quilting cottons, and I immediately fell in love with her poppy version of this dress.

One of my favorite fabric designers is Anna Maria Horner, and when I saw this fabric I knew it had to be a casual summer dress. It's 'Turn of Events in Plum' from her Innocent Crush line.

 So why did it take me almost a year to finish this dress?

 After the pattern arrived I made the stupid mistake of not making a muslin. Turns out the pattern has a couple of errors in it. The darts don't line up as drawn on the pattern, and the front bodice is too long to fit on the back bodice on the side seams. It annoyed me so much finding that out after I cut into my nice fabric, that I just tossed it in a corner and didn't touch it anymore until a couple of days ago.

 

Luckily I had a lot of fabric left and just cut out the bodice part again. Since I don't like facings I decided to line the bodice with a 50/50 silk-cotton blend I had in my stash, and in the perfect matching color too. 

I also lengthened the bodice 1 1/4 inch. This pattern is designed for a 5.4" size and I am 5.7"

 I could have done a better job with the lining. Oh well, next time. The side seams still didn't match up, even after cutting the armhole of the front bodice piece bigger. That's why I had to serge the side seam, instead of having it encased in the lining.

Now that I tweaked out all the errors and fitting issues I am absolutely in love with this dress. I already made a second one which I will blog about later. 

Pattern Description:

The Monique Dress is a retro design with a fresh modern twist. Featuring a flattering neckline, raised waistline, and a full A-line skirt, this dress will make you feel so pretty! Options for a solid or pieced bodice and various fabric accents means you have a lot of opportunities to mix and mingle all sorts of fabrics. Add a dash of trim or a coordinating bit of fabric here and there and make your own unique creation!

Pattern Sizing:

Bust 32 - 44

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?

I didn't follow the instructions at all.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

After I got rid of the errors in the pattern I love it.

Fabric Used:
Main fabric: Quilting cotton
Lining: Silk cotton blend 50/50

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
- lengthened the bodice 1 1/4"
- cut the armhole of the front bodice piece bigger so it would fit to the back bodice piece at the side seams
- moved the darts
- got rid of the facings by adding a lining to the bodice

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Now that I have a good fit I will absolutely sew it again. So many possibilities with all the wonderful quilting cotton prints.

Conclusion: 

I highly recommend making a muslin to figure out the errors in the pattern. After those errors are eliminated it is a wonderful pattern for a summer dress.

Jamie Dress for a friend

This was the first time I made a garment for someone else. A very good friend from Germany visited me for three weeks in the summer and for her birthday I made her this dress. It was quite easy, since she fit exactly in my size :)

We went to JoAnn's and she picked this poly-satin. The only changes I made was to lengthen the bodice by 1 inch.

The construction was very forward. Which totally reminds me that I haven't blogged yet about my Jamie dress. Well, I guess it will be done in another post.

Right now I like to listen to this song. It helps me getting my awesome back.

Current project: Quilting

My latest project is a quilt which I am quilting myself. I pieced five quilts so far, but never quilted them. I always gave them away to a local long-arm quilter. 

 

Here is a little sneak peak at the current quilt. I am quilting circles.

 These are the five quilts I pieced, gave away for quilting, and put the binding on myself. 

This first one is Sanctuary in Oasis Quilt by Patricia Bravo. I kept this one for myself.

Unfortunately I only have pictures of these two quilts of the finished top. Before the quilting was done. 

Gypsy Caravan Window to the soul quilt by Amy Butler

This was a wedding present for a good friend in Germany.

Organic soul blossoms window to the soul quilt by Amy Butler

Again a wedding gift for a good friend in Germany

The other two quilts are Baby Quilts, also presents. The firs one I blogged about here.

A gift for my youngest nephew Ben.

And a gift for the baby of a friend in Germany.