Thursday 9 April 2015

New Look 6022 or 'a dress from a dress'

 

 

 
 
 

 
    It's been one of 'those' days! The little people seemed to be totally wired and despite my best efforts involving a two hour dog walk, car cleaning, and various garden based activities I did not manage to tire them out or calm them down until bedtime. They were very enthusiastic photographers, but most of the photos are of random things or have fingers in the way, or I look like a wally (to be honest that is quite normal for me!).

  I had traced out the pattern for the 'Drapey knit dress' from the new GBSB book thinking that I might be able to make it up using a jersey fabric rather than the recommended pointe roma - I loved wandering how all of the bizarrely shaped pieces would fit together! Whilst getting out my chosen fabric the sensible voice in my head reminded me that I was not an experienced sewist and that I really should stick to the recommended fabric - it is recommended for a reason! Perhaps it should be an autumn make rather than a spring/summer version!

  So this left me with a problem - when not at work I like to wear leggings (of various lengths, weather dependant) teamed with skirts/dresses/long tunics. Many of my old favourites are looking just that - old! And with this amazing Easter weather I am in need of suitable garments! I looked through my pattern stash for something practical and comfortable and came across New Look 6022:


 

 
 I have lots of fabric in my ever growing fabric stash but in the corner of my bedroom is a pile of clothes that I don't wear but think that I could use the fabric for something (please tell me that everyone's bedroom is like this!). In this pile was this lovely maxi dress:

 
 
  Being ample of bosom I cannot wear this without a top underneath which I feel defeats the purpose of a 'sundress' so it doesn't get much wear but I have always loved the fabric - so I wondered if I could upcycle it!
 
  New Look 6022 is an easy loose fitting shift dress with several sleeve options. I chose to make view B with capped sleeves - I love them they are so cute! And as I have huge arms (I expect due to years of lifting children - rather than years of eating cake!) I often find sleeves very tight so the capped sleeve is perfect for me.
 
 
Capped sleeves - my new favourite sleeve option!

 
The instructions were easy to follow, my version is a little shorter than the pattern as I struggled to get the length onto the remains of my dress and I wasn't able to pattern match at all due to some fabric flaws that were not obvious on the flowing maxi dress but would have been on a shift dress. I made a size 16 but think I could have made a 14 on top and graded out to a 16 from the waist down as without the belt it does look a bit nightdressy. If I made it again I might include the elastic on the back of version A just to bring the waist in a little. I also wish I had included pockets (I feel lost without pockets to put all the bits of Lego in that I am constantly picking up!). I suppose I could add patch pockets, but I think the fabric might be a little thin for them and I'm not sure it would look right.
 
 
First beach walk not needing coats, hats etc! Hurrah!
 

The back - the neckline is a little loose and the button pulls it down in the centre - even when I changed the button for a lighter one.
 

 
One of the three reasons why my arms are so 'muscular'
 
 
  Thanks for stopping by!
 
              Su xx
 

 




11 comments:

  1. Gosh what a good job you've done with that - looks really lovely. Oh to be ample of bosom! I haven't tried up cycling anything yet - it seems to have come very naturally to you. Enjoy the last few days of the Easter hols.

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    1. Thank you! I love managing to 'upcycling' something! it doesnt always work out though!

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  2. I love the border print! its a perfect spring dress ;-)

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    1. Thank you! Hopefully it will get lots of wear!

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  3. Fab refashion the print is lovely, really summery. I like the cap sleeves too they make the dress.

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  4. The border print on that fabric is awesome! As for the keyhole/button at the back I always have this problem too (always on the same side) even after meticulous cutting. I found the best way to fix it was to "pull up" more of the fabric on that side into the neckline finish. After you stitched the Centre back seam of course!

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    1. yes I love the print too - is was too good to throw/give away - I just had to make something else out of it! Thans for the keyhole tip - I will certainly try that next time!

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  5. I have a maxi dress knocking around in my bag full of things that might come in useful, you have inspired me to get it out and look at it in a different way, thanks

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  6. I have a maxi dress knocking around in my bag full of things that might come in useful, you have inspired me to get it out and look at it in a different way, thanks

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    1. I love managing to recycle things, so glad that you have been inspired to dig out your maxi dress - they have som much material -too much of a shame to waste it!

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