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  • Tuesday 7 July 2015

Sundress Sew-along

I don't know exactly how it happened, but I need more dresses. Now that the weather is warmer, I find myself wanting to wear dresses but not having what I need in my wardrobe. I've been concentrating on sewing separates for ages as my usual uniform is jeans/denim skirt and top. Now, I am delighted to be able to get perusing my dress pattern stash again, because I have twice as many dress patterns than anything else. Happy days!

What better way to get in the mood for summer dress sewing than to join Handmade by Heather B's Sundress Sewalong? The sewalong runs from 1st July to 31st August, which is wonderful because I find month long sewalongs are too short. Sometimes the weeks just disappear, or by the time I decide to join a sewalong, it's basically finished. There's a Flickr group you can join to share your makes, but I don't do Flickr anymore since my innocent dressmaking photos kept getting favourited by creeps. But I will be sharing my progress here, of course, and on Instagram and Twitter.

So what to make? I was going to ask for your advice on my top 3, but then I pretty much decided for myself. I'll share the other choices anyway, as they are still contenders. This is my first choice:
 
New Look Maudella 6042. I made this up last year for the Vintage Pledge, in an animal print-esque viscose. It's so lovely to wear and wasn't hard to make, so more are required. I can't decide on a maxi version in a printed viscose or a shorter version in Liberty Isle of Wight Tana Lawn. Hopefully both.
New Look Maudella 6146. This is quite similar to the Sewaholic Cambie dress but I love the big pockets, which I'd probably combine with the gathered straps of the other version.
Simplicity 3010. I like the dress version and the off-centre button detail. I think the side ties are a lovely feature but can't decide if they're too cutesy.

As all three are vintage, whatever I make will also tick the box for my Vintage Pledge too. I will also be using stash fabric.

What do you think of my choices, and are you joining in the Sewalong?

K x

27 comments:

  1. Unknown7 July 2015 at 11:36

    Fabulous patterns, whichever you chose will be amazing. If it were me I'd go for pattern two first. But all are lovely.

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  2. Gail7 July 2015 at 12:28

    I like all three, but I especially like number 3, just because it's a bit unusual. You don't see that off-center opening much any more. I do think the ties are a little cute, and likely to get in the way as well, but the dress would also look good without them.

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    Replies
    1. Kestrel8 July 2015 at 13:36

      I know, I love the button detail too but I think you could be right about leaving off the ties

      Delete
  3. char7 July 2015 at 13:20

    I really like the side buttons detail of the third one, although the second is cute, too.

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  4. Jane7 July 2015 at 14:02

    Ah I love sewing sundresses! My favourite is the second pattern, view 1 with big pockets and plain straps. x

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  5. pattyc7 July 2015 at 14:03

    I'm with Jane. Second one with the big pockets but borrowing the gathered straps from the other version.

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  6. Kestrel7 July 2015 at 14:21

    I'm loving that everyone is saying the other patterns from the one I like best! Definitely should have posted this before I decided!

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  7. Anonymous7 July 2015 at 15:36

    All of them!!!!
    Seriously though, those deep pockets are super appealing, and it's neat how the ties on the last choice are an actual balanced detail, not just a simple sash. I agree with Gail that those ties would probably get in the way (especially if you carry a messenger bag or similar) but I bet they'd look just as interesting hanging long and untied.
    And you already know your top choice is a win.
    Make them all!

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    Replies
    1. Kestrel8 July 2015 at 13:36

      I love the pockets but the only drawback is that I tend to walk about with my hands shoved in them, which I think looks bad

      Delete
  8. Unknown7 July 2015 at 15:57

    Oh, I like them all! I'm terrible at decision making! :-D

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  9. Alexandra V.7 July 2015 at 17:18

    That New Look 6042 is darned cute.

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  10. Tasha7 July 2015 at 19:45

    I've been surprised how many eras I've seen patterns similar to Cambie! (And how have I not actually managed to sew it yet? lol) I love all your choices. I really like the offset buttons on the last one but agree the bows might be a bit cutesy. It's a great shape!

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    Replies
    1. Kestrel8 July 2015 at 13:35

      I've got the Cambie pattern and have every intention of making it at some point...!

      Delete
  11. Kathryn7 July 2015 at 23:01

    These are all lovely patterns but I think the top is my favourite for an easy summer sundress. Though combining it with the pockets of the second one sounds perfect!! I'd love to make a summer sundress from a vintage pattern I have, just need to find the right fabric, and some time to sew!

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    Replies
    1. Kestrel8 July 2015 at 13:28

      Oh yes, always hard to find the time to match your ambitions!

      Delete
  12. colesworth8 July 2015 at 01:38

    love that maudella one ;o) looking forward to seeing what you make!

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  13. tanyamaile8 July 2015 at 03:19

    All of them sound glorious, but I especially like the first one with the Isle of Wight fabric. Can't wait to see what you make!

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  14. Philippa8 July 2015 at 06:38

    All your choices are fab, but I feel especially drawn to the centre one. The gathered straps and central panel gathers are so pretty! If You ever want to sell that one let me know :)) I don't think I will be sewing a long but I am finally able to get my sewing machine out again so hopefully I will be back to blogging and sewing very shortly. Hooray!

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    Replies
    1. Kestrel8 July 2015 at 13:27

      That's great you're back sewing again :-)

      Delete
  15. MrsC (Maryanne)8 July 2015 at 09:31

    I am sad because I just know you won't do the flicky hair thing. ;-)

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    Replies
    1. Kestrel8 July 2015 at 13:27

      Ha, my hair is too straight to co-operate with the flicky hair thing!

      Delete
  16. Anonymous8 July 2015 at 12:17

    all lovely - I like the one you've chosen best :) I definitely need at least one more summer dress and I am tempted to sign up to the challenge, but I know it will stress me out sewing for the deadline. So I think I might unofficially sew along. I'm thinking either the Named Inari dress or the Pattern Runway Gathered Sundress (the former is slightly more attractive because no zip or buttons! but is rather sack-like...) x

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    Replies
    1. Kestrel8 July 2015 at 13:42

      Thanks - I'm definitely going to go with making that first as I wear my previous version a lot so I know it will be wearable. Just had a look at the Inari dress on their website - it's so hard to see, what bright spark decided to photograph a white dress against a white background?!

      Delete
  17. Unknown8 July 2015 at 14:27

    I like all of them but #1 is my favorite in the maxi length! I'm in a maxi dress obsession right now. I hadn't read about the sew-along but now I think I need to check it out.

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  18. Minnado8 July 2015 at 14:57

    They are all lovely. I like the asymmetry of the last dress. I'm not really a strappy dress wearer as I like to hide my shoulders and neck from the sun. But I am currently sewing a summer dress, and debating whether to add sleeves or leave them off.

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  19. Mother of Reinvention10 July 2015 at 11:10

    I love all your choices and the one that you made previously from the Maudella pattern is great. My favourite is the bottom Simplicity pattern. I love the button detail. It would be great with bound buttonholes in a contrasting fabric. I would keep the ties but this is coming from the woman that wears double leopard print. :) Xx

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  20. matkailijakirppu10 July 2015 at 15:24

    I also get urges for new summer dresses in climate with only few months of summer (in Finland in my case). Just go for it! I love the Simplicity pattern especially. Looking forward to see results of any, or all!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for reading and commenting - I love to hear what you have to say

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