 I just finished a dynamic duo to add to my summer wardrobe. Here's New Look 6413 and of course the beloved Blackwood Cardigan by Helen's Closet in a combo that I got really lucky to find. I've had my eye on this rayon crepe print at Fabricland (my local fabric store in O.C.) and was fortunate to find a dreamy lightweight french terry in a beautiful rose that goes perfectly with the print. When this happens...you have to bring both fabrics home.
This dress is really simple and perfect for a beginner or anyone that needs a quick project. It calls for a front bodice zipper which I thought would be odd but actually looks really nice. It's completely unnecessary for the dress (it would pull over without it) but you would need to put it in for the jumpsuit view. Since I made this as a sample for the fabric store I included it so people could see the pattern as it's written.  I don't think anyone needs another Blackwood cardigan review so i won't add one here but I've made 5 now if that says anything about it. But what I like about this one is the color. It's not a color I would normally look at but it turns out it goes with so many things in my closet! I probably have at least 3 other outfits for it.
Just a quick share today as I've got more dresses in the works.
Happy Sewing, Diane
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 Dresses have been on the cutting table quite a bit lately and here's a new one. I absolutely love this dress, it's feminine but not too fussy, blue (my fav) and an easy to wear wrap. And it's swishy!  There are quite a few wrap dress patterns out there and frankly I'd like to try them all but I chose this new Simplicity 8637 (View C in View D length) because I love the flounce. I made up a quick bodice muslin and I'm really glad I did because although fitting a wrap dress is easier than fitting some dresses, I still needed a few changes. The bodice darts on this dress are really long! I shortened both 1 1/4". I also straightened out the shoulder seam because I have square shoulders (if I don't do this I'll get neckline gaping). And over the last year or more I've noticed I'm making fitting adjustments that I've never needed before which on this dress I shortened the bodice 3/8" which is brand new for me.  Overall this is a simple pattern even though it took me quite a while to make. Of late, projects have taken me longer than usual but I also took extra time pressing and used a pressing cloth on everything to avoid getting any shine from the iron.
I used a navy viscose twill from LA Finch fabrics. It's a gorgeous fabric and has the perfect drape for the flounce. I used this same fabric in red for this project. It's a little bit heavier than a challis and the extra body makes the flounce lay perfectly. And about that flounce...hemming this flounce is not for anyone in a hurry (if you choose to do a rolled hem) but if you have a serger that does a rolled hem I highly recommend using that. I did on this dress and I had it hemmed in about 15 minutes including switching the machine. It's so satisfying!  I've been participating in #Sewfreshsewclean13 and this is my entry this week. Check it out on Instagram!
More dresses are in the works and I'll share soon. Happy Sewing, Diane |
About MeHi! I'm Diane, a wife, mom, sewing teacher and pattern designer from sunny Southern California. I share my sewing adventures here on the Blue Dot Blog formerly Gatorbunnysews. For more info click here. 
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