4.27.2008

Picnicking Ann

What fun would it be to design something without naming it? Since this dress was obviously inspired by a little too much Tudors watching, I've chosen the moniker "Picnicking Ann".

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Drop waist dress w/ ruffle at the neckline.

Design: My own. I included all the elements in my drawing except for the ruffle on the sleeves. I had originally added them on but it resulted in WAY too much ruffle, so I removed it.

Fabric:
55% Linen, 45% Rayon blend. I love this fabric. It washes like linen but has a nice, no AWESOME, drape. I used 2.5 yards because of all the bias binding I did on the inside (and it still wasn't enough) and the ruffle.

Construction: All inside edges are bias bound except for the back seam because I ran out of fabric. I serged that edge. The neck ruffle has serged ends and is bias bound to the neck edge. I also bound the sleeves for cleaner construction. I contemplated for a really long time how to best do the neck ruffle. First time, I made pleats which turned out to be horribly stiff and unattractive. Then I thought about attaching a psuedo random ruffle w/o any measuring of the ruffle edges which was less stiff but equally unattractive. In the end, I decided to make ruffles evenly spaced with folds changing in direction as you move from the left to the right of the band.

Back shot....
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Left: Dress w/o the belt.
Right: Bias binding on the inside edges.

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Left: Seam where skirt attaches to the top. Since the skirt is slightly gathered I couldn't use bias binding. What I opted to do instead was cut the skirt with an extra 1" allowance at the top. Then I folded down the raw edge of the skirt 1/4" and sewed a line and then folded the extra skirt edge around the raw edge of the top. I think it results in a less bulky finish than if I had used bias binding on both raw edges.
Right: Bands at the bottom of the skirt.

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I hope you guys enjoy reading this review as much I liked making the dress. Thanks for all your votes of confidence on the earlier post. Muah!

18 comments:

Lashell said...

Great dress and great color. I love the Tudors too. I can't wait til season 2 comes out on DVD since I don't have SHO.

Adrienne said...

Very cute!!!

Frau Vau said...

totally cute!

Christina said...

Wow! I'm so impressed. Thanks for sharing all the inside details too. It must feel so good to take an idea from a sketch to a real, wearable, great looking garment. This is one of those garments you're going to reach for over and over again.

Berry said...

Wow wow wow! That's where I wanna be! Your dress looks beautiful and the fabric so comfy. Congrats!!!

soknitpicky said...

So wonderful to have been able to turn your design from sketch to the real thing. It looks really good, and I am super-impressed with your attention to detail on finishing it on the inside too! Congratulations.

Anonymous said...

I really like the back of the dress.

narcissaqtpie said...

Love it! You're so talented.

Dana said...

The dress turned out really nice and looks great on you!

Tany said...

Outstanding!!! Gorgeous!!!!

AllisonC said...

Fabulous dress and it looks so good on the inside too. I really admire your ability to draft your own patterns.

Leslie said...

This turned out fabulous! I love all the details, and you have some great ideas for inside finishing, that skirt/bodice seam is very innovative. Great job!

Marlena said...

This is beautiful! I love the color, and I love it with the belt. I'm so impressed by people who can just take some fabric and make something, without a pattern.

Oasis said...

I love your dress

Anonymous said...

Your dress is simply perfect. It's so actual and fashion ! Congratulations !

Colette said...

Your dress design is fabulous. I absolutely love the ruffle and this drop waisted style dress.

Beth said...

So so pretty! I want one too!

Anonymous said...

wow -- this is gorgeous! i'm so glad i found your blog. :)