Friday 20 September 2013

A dress

From Country Living Magazine, September 2013
I've been spending a lot of quality time with my Granny's sewing machine lately, it all began innocently enough with the September issue of Country Living landing on my door mat. I immediately sat down with a cup of tea and flicked though looking at the lovely pictures (I have to do this first and then read and have another look later after I have first satiated my impatience!) On coming across this photo I immediately stopped and rang Cabbages and Roses to see how much the dress was. Unfortunately it was a sample made up for the shoot and was not for sale, so after pondering on it for a while and I decided to delve into dress-making! (Despite having only made a few cushion covers beforehand!)


I found a dress pattern that was as close as I could get to the original and decided that I would splash out on the Cabbages and Roses Hatley fabric as it looked so pretty. After enlisting the moral support of my sister-in-law who had studied at the London College of Fashion I was ready to begin! Three weekends later and I have a similar (if not exactly the same) dress and much more confidence with the sewing machine. It has been taken apart and put back together several times and I'm sure it would not stand up to close scrutiny by anyone who knows their stuff but as a first attempt I think it is rather good!


It's first outing will be this weekend at a (hopefully sunny!) September wedding, with a tan cropped tweed jacket, tan pumps and maybe a string of pearls or long silver pendant.


22 comments:

  1. Oh I love that dress! I saw the photo that inspired you too and thought the same...I want that! You did an amazing job. Have fun...it looks so sweet on you too.

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  2. It's fabulous and suits you! I love that fabric. The shape is great. Minerva x

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  3. For a first attempt, your dress is amazing.

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  4. A beautiful dress and it really looks like the exact copy of the one in the magazine!

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  5. Wow Charlotte! Congratulations! Your dress is so beautiful, well done!!! I love this fabric and your dress looks just lovely on you.

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  6. HI how very clever you are!!Your dress is FANTASTIC!! I've been trying to sew things recently and I have difficulty just setting up the darned machine!! so hearty congratulations! You look gorgeous in your dress.'bye for now Pam.

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  7. So clever and so very pretty..well done !
    Thea x

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  8. We were taught to make dresses at my grammar school ... yes, in a grammar school! In those dim and distant days it was thought necessary to teach girls domestic science (which was more than just cookery - we learned about meal planning and food values, vitamins and minerals and even though my mother taught me to cook, it stood me in good stead for when I married) and basic needlework. I made three dresses and while I didn't enjoy sewing as much as I did cooking, they were lessons well learned. You have done very well indeed, and when you wear this I suggest you wear pearls - nothing looks more attractive than pearls, I think silver would clash with the creaminess of the fabric.
    Margaret P

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  9. Beautiful Charlotte... I am very impressed with your sewing skills on your Granny's sewing machine.
    You are going to look gorgeous at the wedding....
    Julie x

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  10. Oh Charlotte, I think you've done an excellent job! It looks beautiful! I used to make all my own clothes and those of my children, but nowadays I take out my machine for sewing cushion covers and table cloths! Wishing you a lovely time at the wedding! I am sure you are going to get lots of questions about where you bought your lovely dress! Sharon

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  11. That is just lovely, and fits you beautifully. I'd say a very successful first attempt! I'm betting a new hobby has been born!

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  12. Excellent job! I think it's beautiful. The dress looks great on you and please post a picture with jacket and all the bits and bobs when you are getting ready to go!

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  13. What a beautiful little dress, love the color.

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  14. Great job! Your dress looks wonderful, there'll be no stopping you now ;o)
    Rose H
    x

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  15. Charlotte, that is GORGEOUS! I can't believe it's your first garment sewn- what an amazing job!!
    I agree- we want to see a picture of you at the wedding, please!

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  16. It is a very pretty dress, wear it with pride :) and have fun at the wedding!

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  17. That's a stunning dress, well done! And the weather was good at the weekend, just perfect.

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  18. Wow that dress is fabulous, I actually think it looks better on you than it does on the Country Living model..!!
    I am so jealous I only have to look at a sewing machine and the tension goes all wonky..
    Well done you !

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  19. Bonito blog, gracias por compartir, me gusta. sports jackets

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  20. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  21. The white printed dress looks great. I want to pair it with my modern bag.

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