Saturday 8 August 2015

Simplicity 1080 'Dottie angel frock' OR 'Dottie has me stumped'

Sometimes you see a pattern and it just screams out 'I am for you'. For me simplicity 1080 was one of those patterns - as soon as I saw it I just knew I HAD to have it. I imagined making up seven versions and just throwing away all of my other clothes!!




I first saw it on Lazy Daisy Jones blog and since then have seen some gorgeous versions popping up on Instagram and the blogosphere - I really love all the versions The Woven Nest has made. Initially I had trouble finding the pattern to buy. It seemed it was all sold out both in the UK and USA, just as I thought I was going to have to wait weeks for my copy Simplicity UK got some more copies in - Hurrah! (It's currently half price for this week only) I ordered it and it was waiting for me when I got back from holiday. In my desperation to get going I used a totally inappropriate fabric to make my first version - I had been hoping this dress would take me through summer and into autumn (I could see it with some bright tights, clogs and a chunky cardi). Sadly the only place my first version was going to take me would be to some kind of freaky vintage granny nightdress convention - not a good look! - I might be able to turn it into a wearable tunic version we will see..... I did however learn a valuable lesson - there is a fine line between 'granny chic' and just 'granny'!

  As well as not using the right fabric I really struggled with this pattern, It felt like I struggled with everything, especially the arm holes. I was despondent how could something I loved so much be such a disaster? Just as I thought I would have to give up hope I read city stitching and it would seem that someone with a great deal of dressmaking experience and talent had struggled with some of the same things that I had, but had still managed to make a lovely version - I was inspired to give it another go!

   For my second version I made a size large (probably could have gone down to a medium) but used 1.5cm side seams. I French seamed rather than used bias binding, I took about 4 inches off the length and I used exposed bias binding for the neck and arm holes (to make the neck line smaller and because my arm holes had been a bit of a disaster in my first version). I like my second version much more but the arms are still not quite right - in the picture below the right arm has just wrinkled up they are even in real life!

 

 
I have attempted to recreate the Dottie Angel vibe in my photos!! The crochet rag rug was the first thing I ever attempted to crochet and has been left unfinished in my crafting cupboard for several years!
 
 
Autumn ready complete with granny shawl!
 
 
Goes without saying - I LOVE the pockets!
 
 
Back view
 
 
I added a bit of lace to the hem and really like this addition.
 
 
 After all the effort and stress that went into this dress I am a little unsure about it - is it just too mumsy? Would I wear it 'out and about'? - Perhaps a third version in a less floral print........
 
Next weekend Fabric Godmother are having an open day on Saturday which I am very excited about! I have never been to one of these open days before and am hoping to meet up with some other South Coast Bloggers!
 
 
  Thanks for popping by!
 
             Su xx
 
 
 
 


11 comments:

  1. I love it with the boots, you did great, the sleeves are tricky, I kind of just do them my way now, which I don't think is the proper way! , I get funny looks when I wear mine!! I'm not sure they are in a good or bad way!! But I really don care!! Ha ha xx

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    1. Your versions all look wonderful so I'm sure the looks you are getting are good ones! I really like the look of so many versions I've seen on the web but when I put mine on I felt a bit 'meh' I might try a plainer version with elastic rather than ties, I see it as more of a autumn dress so perhaps with boots etc I will feel differently!

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  2. I like it! Especially with boots. I know what you mean though as I feel the same about the washi dress. I love the pattern but feel like the queen of drab in my version! (Helenl8825) x

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    1. Noooooo I love your washi! - it got me thinking I must get that pattern!!!!

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  3. Hi Su! O boy I think I had the same experience with my first (and so far, only) Dottie Angel frock! I plan to try again with sizing down to Medium and a few changes including the sleeves. You would think the pattern would be so simple to get right but I am finding it more complicated than it needs to be so I will have to find my way somehow. Also the choice of fabric is also important. I dunno. I think this may be one of those patterns that I think looks cute on other people but not so much on me!

    Good luck with your third version. I think doing the autumn look with boots is a good approach!

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    1. Yes I think I have had the same experience - I thought it would be simple but I ended up struggling!! And I love it on other people but not so sure about it on me! I think it is worth persevering with though?

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  4. I haven't been able to make one of the dresses yet. On the Facebook page (Dottie Angel Ltd) she does give some clues about certain things in the pattern instructions. Possibly could be of some help if you still need it.

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    1. ooooh thank you! - I have found her page on Facebook I think it will be helpful and think I might try elastic rather than ties for my next version........

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  5. Hi Su i love that version with the grey trims. I have gone off mine and wont be making more, I have decided I am not really the granny chic sort, plenty of time for that later when my hair is really well and truly grey!
    Love your photos too....
    best daisy
    Ps thanks for the generous link back to me too!
    xxxx

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    1. I thought yours looked fab! - it is what inspired me to get the pattern. I have worn mine a few times and it is growing on me, I might make one more in a less floral print and see how that goes!

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  6. Oh, I feel quite vindicated knowing their is a small army of sewists out there who have all struggled with these crazy armholes. I really wish the instructions explained in more detail exactly how you transition from the "tapered" bias binding to the French seams. Grrr. Such a cute frock to go over leggings with boots for that "just going out to collect the eggs now" look, but I don't know if I have it in me to attempt those armholes again. I already bought fabric for two iterations of this sweet frock. Sigh.

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