Sunday 8 June 2014

A date and a dress

Paul had a day off on Friday so we visited the Hamilton gardens.  It was a perfect winter day, the sun was shining and it really felt more like autumn than winter.  The gardens are a beautiful place to visit and cover a large area with many different collections. My favourites are the Italian and English gardens.
I had also finished a new dress so Paul snapped some photos for me.  The dress is the Darling Ranges dress by Megan Nielsen, my first time sewing one of her designs.  Dear Julie gave me the fabric, it's a polyester (I did a burn test) with a nice soft, silky feel and drapes beautifully.  I finished the seams by overlocking and the neckline with bias binding as the pattern said, I do like the clean finish this gives.  I made the size medium with the following alterations:
  • removed 1/2" from top back seam for my narrow shoulders
  • added 1/2" to each side seam at the bust
  • removed about 4" from the skirt to reduce the fullness and gathers
  • added 6" to the length
  • I didn't add the elastic casing to the sleeve cuff or add the back tie
I really love this dress, I like how I can dress it up with a belt or just leave it plain.  Thanks so much Julie for the gorgeous fabric.  I've entered my dress into The Monthly Stitch Indie Pattern dress competition. I'm not really one to blow my own trumpet but in this case I have to indulge in a bit of self-promotion. If you feel so inclined you can click on the button above to view the dresses and cast a vote for your favourite (it doesn't have to be mine but of course it wouldn't be self-promotion if I didn't gently nudge you in that direction). :) Wendy xx

19 comments:

  1. Hello Wendy,

    Those gardens look like you are overseas. Julie's fabric certainly came up trumps. A lovely dress.

    Happy days.
    Bev.

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  2. What beautiful gardens to visit in your pretty dress.

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  4. It's gorgeous! Every time I see this pattern I think, why have I not bought the pattern? (I think it's because I can't figure out exactly why I love it so much and figure I could draft it myself, perhaps from the La Sylphide pattern). You've reminded me to actually TRY

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  5. What a great dress! I also love your beanie, although it looks a bit too classy to be called a beanie.

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  6. Gorgeous venue for your photo shoot.
    Your dress looks perfect for the occasion.

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  7. Gorgeous gardens. It must have been fun to have your photo shoot there! The dress looks great, I'm popping over to vote now.

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  8. Oh Wendy, your photos of the gardens turned out so well ... isnt it just such a beautiful place to visit. And your dress - gosh, how stunning!!! You have done such a lovely job off it, I am so glad I gifted the fabric on to you, I knew it had such a lovely silky feel that it would fall nicely. Gorgeous work there Wendy - you should feel very proud x0x

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  9. just lovely gardens and perfect for the photo shoot of your new dress...

    now I'm off to vote... good luck!
    Hugz

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  10. Another gorgeous dress. That looks like a lovely place to visit. Great photos, Wendy.

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  11. I haven't been to those gardens since I lived there when I was a teenager & I wouldn't have appreciated the beauty quite some much then :-)
    LOVE your dress! Looks awesomely cute with the beret too.

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  12. Great photos of the gardens..love your dress..

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  13. Lovely dress, the Black &White look so smart!

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  14. Another lovely dress Wendy and a perfect fit too. Paul took some great shots of you... love the whole look you have going on there. Really pretty gardens too.... been and gone and done something...shhh!
    Hugs

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  15. What beautiful gardens Wendy. Such a lovely dress - you are so clever

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  16. What a beautiful garden , great photos . Your dress is beautiful and I'd be happy to vote for you :-)

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  17. such awesome pics Wendy thankyou for sharing ,now i will go and vote your outfit looks fantastic on you,well done.xx

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  18. HI Wendy, sorry I missed this post and missed out on voting for you. Glad I recognised the Hamilton Gardens, we spent some time in the courtyard when Dad was in hospital. It looks like a lovely day and your dress is absolutely gorgeous!

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  19. I tried voting, but was too late. Your dress I feel was by far the best! Great job!

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