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Wednesday, 28 September 2011

The sun has got his hat on

I made a summer dress. In the north of England, as October approaches, this was not the wisest of moves.

However. I'd had my eye on Simplicity 2444, and wanted to know if it would fit me, if it would suit me, and if I could make it without weeping. The recognised thing to do in this situation is to make a muslin, and the close proximity of one of the best factory shops in the world resulted in a muslin made of a Liberty cotton lawn.

£2.50 a metre. Am I trying to make you jealous? You know I am.

They say this week will be an Indian summer. I'm not holding out much hope. At least, not as much as I am for Simplicity 2444, which is my new Best Friend Forever. It goes in where I go in and out where I go out - a Very Good Thing - and though I could have done with an extra half inch at the bottom so I had more choice with the length, I'm very happy with it. I may make it a friendship bracelet from Littlest's big bag of ribbons. I may skip down the street with it, admiring the Autumn leaves. As long as I'm wearing thick tights and a woolly cardi.

 
 I bring my own sunshine wherever I go. 
(Anyone who knows me will be snorting
with derision right now.)

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31 comments:

  1. harmony and rosie28 September 2011 at 01:54

    I'm the one who's weeping, £2.50 for tana lawn?! Your dress is beautiful, love the style and I'm not in the least surprised you haven't taken it off since you made it. I'm craving a little dress sewing right now but it's way down the list sadly. What a beautiful sunshiny smile you have today!!

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  2. tamzin28 September 2011 at 01:54

    Your dress looks fabulous! I bought that pattern myself in a sale and am now feeling inspired to try it. Shame I don't live near a factory outlet selling the cheap as chips liberty lawn.. What is this wonderful shop? Is it worth a special trip to the north?

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  3. silverpebble28 September 2011 at 02:32

    You made a dress. It looks ace. It was a bargain. You have skills beyond my wildest wotsits. I hat you.

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  4. driftwood28 September 2011 at 02:34

    ok I am getting in the car and coming over to your factory shop. so what if the huge amount of time and expense incurred will not offset the price of the fabric.... if it allows dresses as lovely as that one it will be worth it. it is magic fabric right, that makes dress making easy, as I've never actually done any. and if it brings sunshine it must indeed have special powers. xxx

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  5. Paola28 September 2011 at 02:44

    Really nice and fits you perfectly!

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  6. dottycookie28 September 2011 at 03:21

    And to think you claimed you couldn't sew. Bah. I can't make dresses for myself. I am quite sure my sewing machine shrinks them as I stitch them together, otherwise I can't account for the fact that they don't go out far enough where I do.

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  7. Anonymous28 September 2011 at 03:28

    Wow, that looks great! And £2.50 a metre. £2.50! Very, very jealous, both of the fabric and the ability to put it together.

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  8. Duyvken28 September 2011 at 03:35

    Lovely!!

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  9. Ali28 September 2011 at 04:48

    It is GLORIOUS and fits you perfectly in all the right places. And to think you are always saying you don't really sew.

    It must be worn in every second of this sudden Indian Summer.

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  10. blackbird28 September 2011 at 05:09

    I think you ought to MARRY Simplicity 2444.
    My goodness it suits you.

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  11. Jannette28 September 2011 at 05:22

    That looks fab! (If that's I'm-not-a-crafty-person I'll have some of that too please.) (Oh and thank you for the kitchen paper tip before. Tried transferring a pattern onto with newspaper and it worked - which was great!)

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  12. Anonymous28 September 2011 at 05:52

    It looks really lovely on you. I am going to dissent and say that I often don't like Liberty fabrics. I certainly like your print though and yes at £2.50 who wouldn't be envious? I like florals a lot but I find many of the prints on the ugly side. I used to think the quality of the tana lawn though, felt second to none. However, last time I was there it didn't feel very soft anymore, which was a shame. Which ever way you look at it I find the price of the stuff unjustifiable and outrageous. Some years ago, when I used to do lots of sewing it was expensive but affordable but now you need to take out a bank loan!

    I love the style of the dress and it really suits you. I used to have one a bit like that which I loved except I looked fat in it (tummy podge). I am a size 8 but still can't wear that style without bringing rolls of fat to attention. But you can't do anything about your basic body shape can you? Luckily for you, you don't have that problem!

    It looks lovely for the autumn with a cardigan and tights; I think I would make that a go to pattern if I were you.

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  13. Annie28 September 2011 at 06:09

    I think you'll bake if you don't shed that cardi pronto (that or join me in wishing the Indian summer away - sorry folks, I don't do heat).

    Seriously, gorgeous dress, however/whenever/with whatsoever you wear it :D

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  14. Crayon28 September 2011 at 06:43

    If that's "I don't really sew" then there are no words for the havoc I wreak with needle and thread. What a perfect dress, on every level! But I can't stop laughing looking at your sunny head!

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  15. Anonymous28 September 2011 at 06:49

    Well done, it looks perfect. What fabric had you in mind for the actual dress? (Bearing in mind that the Tana was a toile) I can't believe the bargain that you got, are you going to share the name of the shop?

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  16. readersguide28 September 2011 at 11:32

    It's gorgeous. And I'm jealous.

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  17. ...Nina Nixon...28 September 2011 at 12:47

    Jealous? Maybe just a little.

    That is such a pretty dress - I do hope you get to wear it this week.

    Nina x

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  18. Lynda28 September 2011 at 13:50

    I am very impressed. I was thrown out of sewing class aged 13 when I threaded the sewing machine with elastic thread. Again. Never made anything since.

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  19. The Coffee Lady29 September 2011 at 01:25

    You're all so kind to say nice things - thank you! The shop is great, but I've never found a bargain there that good before, I'll admit. It's mainly furnishings. Where I live, we all have spectacular curtains but they are all very familiar...!

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  20. Suse29 September 2011 at 02:45

    Wow. I went into a fabric shop for 6 buttons a couple of months ago and came out with 2 metres of Liberty tana lawn instead, and we couldn't afford to eat for a week. I am jealous!

    But the dress. The dress is magnificent. Go you.

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  21. Abi @ Angel Eden Blog29 September 2011 at 03:40

    It's looks lovely! I'm actually a bit miffed with all this Indian Summer lark, it's meant a few of my posts (for my site and others) have had to be postponed as they are too Aumtumnal. Knowing the British weather though, I'm sure it wont be long before it's back to form :)

    Abi

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  22. Joanne29 September 2011 at 07:46

    That looks amazing. Not really a fan of liberty prints but love the feel of tana lawn so yes, *much envy*. And look - you did bring the summer back!

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  23. Unknown2 October 2011 at 03:22

    oh my!

    I think you're a liar. Seriously, how can you say you can't sew and that you hit us with THAT?

    It's beautiful.. feminine and modern and elegant and perfect for this warm Autumn.

    (no more fibs now please)

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  24. Baby monitors online3 October 2011 at 04:01

    Lovely dress, and it fits you perfectly. I wish I had the skills to make clothes :)

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  25. kat @ slugs3 October 2011 at 09:22

    *jealous* And you look gorgeous!!!!

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  26. Stomper Girl4 October 2011 at 04:39

    Yep, I'm jealous! The dress looks fab. I am going to check out that pattern, because I love a sewing recommendation.

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  27. Pam 4 October 2011 at 14:56

    I'm fascinated by the idea of your fat size 8 commenter. If I were size 8, I'd be thin. Unfortunately I'm not.

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  28. Anonymous5 October 2011 at 20:16

    I meant to tell you--that was the best photo of you I've ever seen!

    XX E

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  29. The Coffee Lady7 October 2011 at 04:16

    Oh, Isabelle. You did make me laugh then.

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  30. Jackie9 October 2011 at 09:33

    I've oftern thought that I could pass you in the street if I visit Lancaster (and I just might nip to that liberty shop) but I wouldn't know you. Thank. I know what to look for now.

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  31. Anonymous9 October 2011 at 09:45

    Dress is gorgeous, and for £2.50 per metre, I think I would manage that. Is the factory shop online?
    Jacqueline

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