Finished: Houndstooth Wool Dress

  

Just in time for Christmas and the party season, I present my New Look 6000 dress. I wore it out last night to my work Christmas Meal, and received some very nice compliments.

A few weeks ago Scruffybadger was deliberating about which pattern to use for a winter dress. So enthusiastic was the response to this pattern that she organised a sewalong. Knowing that I had a piece of houndstooth check lambswool that was begging to be made into something special, I decided to join in. I have to admit that some of my intended festive making was put to the side in favour of this dress, but I couldn’t resist!

 

Here’s my review of the dress:

Pattern Used

New Look 6000. I made view C which is a shift dress with sleeves and gathers at the side.

Does it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope? 

Overall, yes. I left out the cuffs as I was a bit short on fabric. The collar doesn’t sit the same as the envelope picture as the two pieces should be fully overlapped with the button sewn through both pieces and onto the dress. I didn’t notice this until the dress was nearly finished but it doesn’t bother me.

Were the instructions easy to follow? 

Yes, if you have followed patterns before there are no surprises here. Instructions and diagrams are good.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? 

I loved the classic shape of the dress and the pattern was easy to follow. I was interested to see how the houndstooth would look when gathered at the side, and I really like the way this means that the pattern runs horizontally on the skirt and diagonally on the bodice. I could pretend that I had known it would work out this way, but I really hadn’t, and it was a happy accident.

My one classy pair of seamed tights, which I managed to ladder before heading out for the dress' maiden voyage last night

Fabric & Notions 

I used a Scottish houndstooth lambswool in teal and black. I bought it from a vintage shop in Glasgow a few months ago and was initially planning to make a pencil skirt. Luckily there was just enough to make the dress. I bought a grey herringbone pattern lining from Mandors for £3.99 a metre as I wanted something a little more interesting and luxurious than a plain lining. I don’t know what it’s made of as the label said ‘unspecified’ but it’s very silky and feels like good quality.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made

I added 2 inches to the length as I read a review which said it was a bit short for a tall person, which I am. An inch probably would have been enough but I was glad I erred on the side of caution. I lined the dress (but not the sleeves) which was the first time I had tried this. It took a bit of trial and error and ripping out, but I cracked it in the end. I considered interlining instead of lining but after doing some research it seems that interlining is primarily to add warmth and body to your main fabric, while my reason for lining was to add a layer of slippy fabric beneath so I didn’t need to wear a slip. I left out the cuffs too.

Sizewise, I cut a 12, even though it should have been a 14 according to the measurements on the packet. However I have had experience of my supposed size ending up massive, and the finished garment measurements for the 14 were too large. With the 12, I took the seams in an inch at each underarm, tapering down the side seams by 3 inches. I then took each side seam in an additional ¼ inch. I feel I got the fit just right, but let’s hope I can still fit into it after Christmas!

 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? 
I would definitely sew it again and recommend it too. I’d like to make it in a darker colour and maybe in a suiting fabric.

Cost  

Fabric   £15  (Mr Ben’s, Glasgow)

Lining   £3.99 (Mandors, Glasgow)

Zip        £1.50 (Remnant Kings – the same 22 inch invisible would have cost a shocking £3.40 in Mandors!)

Pattern   £5.95 (www.sewessential.co.uk)

Thread    0.00 Black - Already had loads

Button    0.00 Stash 

Total     £26.44

More expensive than my last dress (which admittedly was ridiculously cheap) but well worth it for a lined wool dress.

Conclusion 

I really love it and think it’s one of the most flattering things I’ve ever made. The pattern was a great match for the fabric and I am just so delighted with the fit. My only problem is that I feel like it’s too nice to wear to work, which was my original intention!

Thanks for organising the sewalong  Scruffybadger !

K x