50's ladder dress
On Friday, I received a little parcel from Emily and so of course, this was going to be my next item to sew. A lovely dress with kimono sleeves and a nice A line shape, pockets and no zipper! I promised myself I was going to take it slow...no rushing and racing to finish it in record time. No panic sewing. Nice and easy..
Friday afternoon, I popped into the fabric store to find some fabric. I had something in mind, but as soon as I saw the Liberty Howells Ladders (from the Liberty Art Fabrics Spring Summer 2012 Archive collection) I changed my mind. The pattern said I needed 2 1/2 yards, so of course I only bought 1.8m. ???? Anyway, I'm pretty short so I thought it would do! It does, but I did think at times that it could have been longer!
The fabric history, as always, from the Liberty website: Howells Ladders is a print chosen by Michael Howells from the archives, it was designed in the 1950s and is based on a print impression from Liberty's Merton Abbey Printworks. It has these wonderful orange and yellow ladders and I thought the dress would look great with a little yellow or orange belt. The dress is probably a bit short to wear with a belt for work (thanks to my under purchase of fabric), but for a different occassion it will be great. (Will need to buy a belt!). It might be just me but the dress has a bit of a 50s style about it too, so I think the fabric works.
And so, with the sewing, I did take it slowly. Sort of. It's a pretty easy pattern so I finished it last night after basically a day on and off of sewing interlaced with soccer, music, trying to be a better mum, cooking and looking after Ben (though he is much improved- yeah!). It's true that by the time I got to the hemming, I was willing it finished. What is that about? I should have left it for the next day and enjoyed it! But no. MUST - FINISH - TONIGHT!
I also decided that I probably look a bit better with something around my neck - so with what tiny little bit of fabric I had left, I made a little triangular scarf, which, while it doesn't look much in the photo is super cute! Also, I dug out some old orange shoes I bought about 15 years ago or more which never get a run, but might with my new dress.
Just one other thing: the pattern. I'm so used to sewing from Japanese pattern books that have no instructions that I can understand and therefore I basically make up the steps, that it is a strange experience to sew from something with 25 steps. I became so dependent on them that I needed more: why don't they tell me when I'm supposed to overlock the seams!
Filed in:
howells ladders,
Liberty,
Liberty of London,
simplicity 2615
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Fabulous dress. I think the length is lovely but I do know what you mean about wearing it with a belt - I have a handmade dress that I thought was a great length but then decided to make an obi belt to go with it - put it on and it was a mini! Nevermind, thick tights are a godsend!!!
ReplyDeleteHa ha - agree re the thick tights!
DeleteGreat dress!! Very cute. Absolutely fabulous fabric. And I'm squee-ing over those orange shoes.
ReplyDeleteNice, it should work through winter with tights and turtlenecks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping by and thanks, I think it will be perfect with tights and a turtleneck!
DeleteFinally stopping by your blog after all this time. I'm so jealous, and have been throughout May of your Liberty fabrics. This would definitely be a fun dress to play with various colored accessories. So funny about the directions. I can't imagine making up my own steps. When I do, I end up getting myself in a jam.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to see you here! I think that's why most of my clothes are so lo-fi!
DeleteThe Ladders are my fave Liberty print and this frock suits them to a tee! This is going to be an epic win during CBR's chilly winters with some tights and boots!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Amanda. I love this print so much as well. It was a good dress last year for the winter and I can see it coming out again !
ReplyDelete