HAPPY HOMEMADE VOL.3 : C-1 BASIC
I’ve had my eye on this dress pattern for a while. It’s my favourite from this book. I really like the yoke with the little split down the centre of it. The open sleeve is also pretty cute.
I made few alterations to this pattern. The first was to take a couple inches off the sides of the dress. I could tell from the picture that all the gathering would just create too much volume for me. The next thing I did was to add pockets into the side seams. Finally. I don’t know why I’ve been avoiding taking this extra step with my dresses, it’s so nice to have pockets! I simply took another dress I have that has pockets I love, traced the pocket piece and measured how far down they were placed. So easy. I also added a little contrasting bias strip between the yoke and the body of the dress and faced the hem of the sleeves since they are so exposed. I learned these bits of detailing when I made the Oliver & S Tea Party Dress and I’ve been wanting to use it again. The metallic floral print was also used for the pocket pieces. These extra details didn’t take that long to do and really make the dress extra sweet.
The fabric is really what this dress is all about though. It is called “Wild Horses” (of course) by Alexander Henry. It looks like it belongs on the side of an 80s airbrushed van and for some reason I love it so much. It was one of those fabrics that when I saw it, I could hardly believe how great it was and then I selfishly bought a bolt because I knew I had to make a dress from it.
I’ve been wearing it with these amazing purple tights I bought in Paris. Perhaps the whole thing is a bit much together, but it makes me pretty happy.
19 comments
i love it. it’s amazing. the fabric, the detailing, the tights. you look incredible. i wish i had a dress like that or fingers that could sew like yours.
yours in meek and awe-struck admiration,
nath
Really cool–it’s very fun to see a wild and crazy fabric like this one used with great success. And this is greatly successful! The detailed sewing speaks right to my heart too.
Very pretty, I love the accent fabric you used for the piping and pockets, goes with the purple tights!
The dress looks great! Great idea with facing the hem of the sleeves. The details you added make it awesome-thanks for sharing them on this post!
Best,
Hilary
oh wow, this is so so so fantastic! The extra details are phenom, did you use a coverlock machine for the entire dress?! It looks *so* professional!
The tights are SO great. and of course, so is the dress. I’m a big fan of loud tights with anything. Even a gorgeous dress filled with galloping horses.
Oh, it’s spectacular!
I love seeing your dresses – they bring life to those japanese dressbook diagrams, and are so inspiring!
Seriously amazing dress, and I’m excited to see that the pattern came from a book I just ordered!
Question: Do you sell Japanese patterns at The Workroom?
This is to super for words….but I will try. Love the fabric and I am so envious of your ability to put together great unique pieces of clothing!
Superb
Here’s to women everywhere who are like wild horses and will never be broken! Yah! Yah! Beautiful dress Karyn!
i like the texture in the dress
Just wondering if you could share the ISBN number for this book?
They’re incredibly hard to find in the US (at least where I live), and the ISBN would mean I could order them.
Thank you!
I *knew* there was something fabulous to be done with this fabric.
For the record, there’s no such thing as too much when it comes to horses + tights of any colour.
thanks everyone. this dress just makes me so happy!
elizabeth – the workroom does not sell japanese books or pattern *yet*. i do hope that will change very soon!
j. – the isbn for this book is ISBN 9784579112470. i have posted all my japanese books with their isbn numbers here, as well.
hi there, I’m new to your blog and I’m beyond loving this dress. So inspired. I just finished something similar with a split yoke but I love the idea of adding pockets. How do you follow the Japanese? The book looks lovely. I’m totally inspired by your site. Wish I could stop in your shop for a sew and a chat, but I’m in Northern California. I’ll be back.
Do I have to tell you I love the pockets? Because I do (love the pockets). And all the other details!
Thank you thank you!
wow, wow, i so want to be able to sew like this! and your fabric choices are the bestest!
wow! you’re so right. that fabric is so beautiful! i love what you made with it. that’s a special dress.