A Tale of Two Dresses (or wot I did on my ... vacation(?)

I only took the barest minimum holiday at Christmas. My work shuts down from Christmas Eve until after the public holiday after new year's day. And that was my hols.  But in spite of having only a short break, and not much "holiday" being newly single and having a whole house and garden package to manage, I also fitted in a bit of sewing.  Ok I didn't do much socialising over the break and that helped.  Anyway, apart from the Christmas frenzy dress, blogged previously (though inexplicably showing up in September in my feed - weird but useful if I want to retrospectively pad the blog, no, sponsors?  anyone?) I also managed two other dresses. And a pair of trousers. Which you won't see today because it's all about the dresses.The first is a shirty shift dress from chambray.  I think we are all feeling the casual cinched shirty dress right now, are we not?  And this is my take on it. 

belted with eyes to heaven

It looks a little short in the skirt in photos but I think that irl it's ok. Also I suspect I've lost a little weight since I took these, so the top is ..hem.. a little less filled out. The chambray is a bit short stapled - I'm not sure if it will pill.  But it's perfect for how I feel right now.  Serious but not sombre.  And light enough for cooler days. The trousers are also made from it, as is a half made top.  I bought a bit (ok, enough to get the discount) from the Remnant Warehouse last year.  

unbelted action shot - concentraaaating...

I love this detail.  This is a faciing turned to the outside and I shaped it pretty before I topstitched. It was a beast to do.  But I love the effect.









I also shaped the front facing.  If I did such a thing again, I think I would interface the facing with a stitching line along the shaping line (if you see what I mean) Maybe coloured

fabric with just a hint showing... hmmm.

I did want to crazy embroider the facing but my sister vetoed it.  She said I'd wear it more without.  She was right.

And finally there's the pocket facing.  I made pockets by cutting a curve out of the side front, and putting a topside facing on.  Then I had a cut-on pocket piece on the back that I wrapped under.  And then I topstiched.  Clear as mud, expecially with these midnight photos.  But it looks a bit like this.

Anyway, right now it's the perfect day dress. And I can see it going into autumn with the right accessories.  

Chuffed.