Sunday, 17 May 2015

Lilou dress (wearable?) muslin or 'Did I mention my bird obsession?'

I think I touched briefly on my bird/ chicken collection (obsession) - you can imagine that when I saw this bird print duvet cover in a local charity shop there was no question as to weather I would buy it or not - it had to be mine!

  Initially I had thought it would be perfect for the Lazy seamstress's new Maude skirt but the pattern hadn't been released yet (although it has now, just as I was finishing my dress!!!!) . After seeing this amazing deer print summer fit and flare dress made by Rochelle from Lucky Lucille I really wanted to make one for all those hot summer days that I'm sure are just around the corner! I was given Tilly's book 'Love at First Stitch' for Christmas and hadn't got round to making anything from it yet (despite spending hours repeatedly looking through it and dreaming of all the wonderful things I was going to make!) The last pattern is the Lilou dress - here is what it is supposed to look like:


 The skirt is meant to be pleated but there is an option to use the skirt pieces from the Clemence gathered skirt instead - I always feel pleats are a little formal and don't really like them so I knew I would make the gathered version. I thought I could use my birdie duvet cover to make the dress before cutting into my proper fabric. 
  Although the duvet was a double, the bird print was only the center panel of the top of the cover so I didn't actually have too much fabric to play with which did make pattern matching almost impossible. Plus I had to add a band at the bottom of the skirt to make it longer (my leg's do not do 'above knee'). This was my first attempt at lining a bodice, I struggled with under stitching the arms but apart from that I think it went OK.

  This dress makes me feel partly like a 50's film star and partly like I'm five years old and am getting dressed up for a birthday party - guess what - I love this feeling!!!!


I'm not 100% sure but I think I could wear this as an actual dress?



So long as the owner of the duvet cover didn't spot my dress and say in a loud voice 'I used to have a duvet cover just like that'


What do you think? Actual dress or just a muslin? I don't want to look like more of a wally than I already am, so honest opinions are much appreciated.


The only issue is this 'hump' - do I need to shorten the bodice? Is this a 'sway back'?

During the week I made the Seamwork Sydney - I thought it would be great to put over summer dresses but I don't seem to have much luck with seamwork patterns - the neckline is massive!! - I had to chop my head off on the picture as I looked as grumpy as I was feeling!!


Look what I have just bought! I'm not sure I can wait until next weekend to make it but I have so much work to do this week...........





 Thanks for stopping by!

              Su xx



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8 comments:

  1. Anonymous17 May 2015 at 20:43

    Hi, when I saw your pic on IG I thought my Lilou doesn't look like that and now I know why! I also think I might have 'swayback' - there are SO many terms you come across in sewing which are a complete mystery. Finally, I like it and would wear it as a frock.

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    1. Dr Susan18 May 2015 at 06:07

      Thank you!! I am going to have to google swayback adjustments and try to work out what on earth I have to do to correct it!!

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  2. Melissa17 May 2015 at 22:04

    The bird print is cute. I don't know what that bump is but perhaps with your 'wearable muslin' you can try for some alterations? It sounds like you like the dress so I say if something makes you feel good, wear it! Good luck!

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    1. Dr Susan18 May 2015 at 06:08

      Thank you!! Yes as you say if I can work out how to adjust things on this bird print dress then hopefully I will know what to do for the 'proper' version!!

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  3. Unknown18 May 2015 at 07:52

    You have been busy. I love this, wear it just as it is - you look great. You could try taking an inch out of the bodice on some scrap fabric, though I think a sway back is more of a wedge shape alteration. Play around with fabric that is okay to end in the bin! But I would still wear this you really do look fab in it.

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    1. Dr Susan19 May 2015 at 05:57

      Thank you Louise! I asked someone about it and they think I have somehow managed to squish too much material in when I sewed the zip in - I just pinned it and didn't tack it - lesson learnt!!!!

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  4. Jo1 June 2015 at 05:25

    It is indeed a sway back just like me. I usually change the order of the pattern if I can so I tack the sides together then put in the zip curving some out of the waist and then make any further adjustments to the sides before I machine sew them. Works for me! that is a lovely dress. Jo x

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    1. Dr Susan1 June 2015 at 06:43

      Thanks Jo! I will try this when I make my proper version (still on my to do list!!!!)

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