I had said in a previous post on my blog Clarinda Kaleidoscope that I thought denim was a little beyond my capabilities at this stage but look … I surprised myself!
I made my second Sureau and I absolutely love it – it is very much me. I bought the fabric just before the return to school in Ditto fabrics along with top stitch thread and denim needles – all a first for me. I had made a SBA first time around but looking at these photos, I think I needed to actually make a smaller size and then do a SBA on top. I have no idea which size I cut before because I traced the pattern and then did not mark on it the size but I am sure I would have graduated out at the hips because, well, I am that sort of girl. It is quite slouchy but looks ok with layers – it is certainly super comfy to wear.
The gathers on the skirt were OK but I have been reading on other blogs there are myriad ways of doing them so perhaps I will experiment more next time – I do have a big gathering project coming up with the BHL Kim dress I bought this week for my niece’s wedding – get me – this fledgling seamstress who would immediately have run out to buy a whole new outfit upon receipt of a wedding invitation now goes on line to buy a pattern and fabric instead.
I was actually very inventive for me – I have rarely gone “off piste” before. I chose a contrast facing and used it for the bias binding on the sleeves. Also, because I made the sleeveless version I thought that the shoulders looked too wide – well they were because it was literally the dress without putting the sleeves in – so I hacked an inch and half off from the shoulder graduating to nothing underneath the arm.
I love, love, LOVE topstitching – I think it is my favourite technique. I was quite fascinated to see how the thicker thread worked with the ordinary thread and was anticipating (in my usual panic panic way) that it would all go horribly wrong; it turned out fine. I think having the right tools for the job really helped.
So, that’s my first make of the year and my first contribution to The Monthly Sewing Collective – looking forward to more fun challenges in 2015!
Have a good week,
Toodle pip,
Clarinda x
Great little denim dress! You did a fine job of altering it to fit you and I too like your contrasting facings…. and your topstitching is superb!
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Thanks you!
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I also love topstitching! The contrast facing and binding is so pretty.
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I like the contrasting facing and the topstitching. Very nice!
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Love that pretty facing and bias ;o)
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You pulled off your newly learned techniques really well. Great dress! It’s always fun to challenge yourself. Good luck with your wedding guest dress, based on this garment, I’m sure it will turn out fab.
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Thanks – will be top-stitching everything in contrasting thread from now on!
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