I’ve finally finally got another sewing post to share with you! Up until about a month ago, sewing had been on the backburner for me – I was prioritising other parts of my life and spending time elsewhere. I was also mending items for people, got asked to do some pattern testing and not really doing any sewing I could share here – there’s a super secret project in the works which you’ll hear about soon enough!
When I reorganised my sewing room, I moved all my fabric from my shelves into drawers. This was a good move because it meant that I realised I had some fabric stashed that I’d forgotten about. This tartan was one of them. I’d originally bought it with a dress similar to this in mind, but with buttons down the front and a white collar. I actually mocked up a bodice for it, but hadn’t yet worked on the button placard for the front. When I actually thought about this part plus the collar, I realised the dress might end up fussier than I really wanted for day to day wear.
So at the weekend, I grabbed the fabric and an old favourite sewing pattern that I’ve used several times and set to work. Within 4 hours, I had a new dress. Ideally I could have done with another zip since this one is a rather stark white, but I wanted to wear the dress that afternoon and nothing would stop me! I’m planning to wear it with a white shirt layered underneath some time, so I guess at least the white zip will match that.
My previous Simplicity 2444 incarnations have included a navy lighthouse dress (this is one that still gets a lot of wear), a jersey hack with a gathered skirt, a summery collared beach house version, and a rather unusual pin up “from a duvet cover” dress! I now know well how the pattern goes together, I love the double darting at the waist, the pleated skirt and the options for sleeves, collar and waist tie that make it very versatile. But I decided to hack it to have longer sleeves – I love a dress with long sleeves and pockets!
The only problem I have with this dress is that the woollen tartan is quite itchy. I guess I could get a slip to go underneath it, or I could just put up with it – which I did for the day I wore it! If I can manage that, I think this might be a new favourite.
The great thing about a tartan dress is that it really makes an outfit itself. I got a new bright and hard wearing Pumpkin lipstick last week from Lime Crime – review of this coming soon – so that made the perfect accompaniment for the dress to bring a bit of a colour.
All else it needed was black tights and a coat for warmth (I talked all about this coat recently here) and a pair of shoes. I’d originally wanted to wear black heeled boots, but we were just on the way to my parents’ house where I’d inevitably kick off my shoes as soon as I walked in the door, so I stuck on a pair of flats. They’re actually super fun ones – burgundy velvet with bees on them from Primark. My family told me they look like slippers, but I have to argue, isn’t that what everyone wants in a pair of shoes?!
Outfit details
Coat: Alice’s Pig | Dress: Memade | Shoes: Primark
