A duo of Anna’s

I think I’m now the third person to enter a duo of by hand London Anna’s for this challenge!  This definitely speaks to the love that is still circulating in the sewing community for this pattern!  It’s such a good one!  I completed version one for the dresses challenge back in week one (where has this whole month disappeared to?) and now have another version to show you.

Today’s dress is a bit special to me for a number of reasons. Firstly I made it to wear to the wedding of a my good friend, Katie, and it was lovely to have a special dress to celebrate her special day in.  Secondly, I made it in some great fabric I bought in Japan last year.  I have no idea what I was planning to made with this when I bought it, as I purchased 5m which is more than I would usually buy without a plan, however, kudos past Alexa for making good choices!

Isn’t it funny how when you make up a pattern that you love you instantly want to make it again.  I haven’t made an Anna dress in a couple of years and now have made 2 versions in the space of a few weeks!  The first version of the Anna that I ever made was the maxi version and I loved floating around in that dress so much, sadly it completely disintegrated as it was made from a viscose that frayed like crazy and I made it before I had an overlocker.  I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to make another to replace it.

Apart from the back alteration that I’ve talked about in other versions, I made the pattern up straight from the pack, using the boat neck bodice.  I always find it hard to believe when a dress pattern says it needs something like the 4.5m required for this dress, particularly as I’m usually quite economical with my cutting.  However, a maxi dress with gored skirt really does!  I only have some scraps left over from my 5m!

The fabric is a cotton of medium weight and so was a total dream to work with and there’ll be no fraying issues with this baby!  I feel that this is a good use of my Japanese stash and I loved having a special dress to wear for my friend’s big day.  I think I’ll get a lot more wear out of it once we return to my preferred summer season!

It’s funny to compare the two versions and how a change of neckline and skirt can create a totally different look and I love both of them.  Its definitely a reminder that I don’t always need to buy a new pattern to get a whole different outfit.

Thanks so much to the monthly stitch team.  I’ve loved being able to participate in Indie pattern month again this year and am excited for the next challenges with the new team.  For any of my other makes please check out my blog.