Sewing for MissV again. This time she’s getting an ‘African inspired wax print dress’ á la Sewing Bee challenge 4.

A popular choice, Simplicity 1417…


The great thing about this pattern is that it comes with different cup sizes, so I am saved again from the fearsome Full Bust Adjustment (FBA) I’ve been reading about … One day… Just not today!

At first the instructions made no sense to me. I’ve never constructed a dress like this before so had no idea what order it went in, the pieces were all alien shapes & I really had to keep my eye on them to not get them muddled up. I read it through twice.

I like the look of princess seams and wanted to try them out. The instructions (wisely) have you baste most of it together first, check the fit, then unpick, add the zip & peplum & sew it all up.

I didn’t have much faith in it turning out too well, so I kept to a simple zigzag for the raw edges and topstitched the hems. Also, I was concentrating so hard, I didn’t take any ‘in progress’ shots. But here it is finished…

I got the fabric online a while ago. I’ve made some dressing gowns out of wax print cotton and really enjoy sewing with it. I’ve used up almost all the scraps in pocket linings and slouchy boxers. The pattern on this is pretty busy, so I focused on keeping the red dots lined up and let the yellow squiggles do as they pleased. Pattern-match wise, I’m happy with it, hopefully no one else is offended! Haha!

I’m starting a trend of waiting for MissV to send her own pic modelling things I make for her. She’s not shy and happy to show her face. I like seeing how she incorporates the garment into her wardrobe. In the mean time, another friend has invested in some serious photographic equipment. Here are his shots…


Nice huh? I’m planning on sending ikea bags full of garments over for him to practice on! What a boon eh?

*Update*

Finally, we got some pictures of MissV in her dress. As gutted as we are to live next door to a building site for the next two years, it has made a cool backdrop for the photos. We had such a laugh taking these…

Building-site-belle…

Save-the-garden…
Queen-of-the-machine…
Urban-cool…
Happy sewing!

Notes to self:

  • I loved making this dress, so different from shirts & trousers!
  • Make it again in another fabric for another look.
  • Ditch the petal sleeve.
  • Try more new patterns.