Tilly's Megan Dress

Finally a dress reveal. Here's my super comfy Megan dress.

Quick photo before grabbing shoes and heading out the door. 

It could be a bit of a closer fit, but I'd rather be comfortable all day and not worried about grippy bits. 

There is a bit of pooling of fabric above my backside to fiddle with when I make another dress in this pattern. I also lengthened the bodice and swung the bust darts as they pointed upwards and I do not. The skirt is cut wider and longer as Tilly's original versions are quite short. I like to bend over at work without flashing my undergarments. 

Not quite tea length but perfect for a tea party. 

Fergus approves. 

We went out for the morning with Meg, Ryan and Henry. I didn't buy anything, but did get my cup of tea and tan square from the C1 cafe. My favourite thing about the cafe is the garden outside. Last time we came the chefs were filling trays with salad greens. The deep wine coloured nicotianas look fabulous with the lush greenery, and match the ripening strawberries too. 

Henry liked the corgis.

His shorts have sharks on them. I want a shark dress.

It is fun spotting the giraffes around town at the moment. This one is standing near an urban farm "gap filler". When Christchurch fell down with the earthquakes, lots of land became vacant, and some has become parks and interesting planted areas, or art installations.

The giraffes will eventually be sold for charity. I love their friendly faces. 

Meanwhile, we can admire them.

Well, at long last I am pleased to share something complete that fits ok, is comfortable and was easy to make. This has overlocked seam finishing, and I did a bias binding neck facing. Tilly of Tilly and the Buttons fame, writes clearly, keeps it simple and easy to follow, plus her book is beautiful. I didn't have to grade up or do a FBA, although some tweaks were required lengthening the bodice so the seam cut under my bust. Sort of a mini FBA, I guess. The shoulders actually fit, but I did have to narrow the top back of the dress, otherwise it would have gaped at the back neck.

Success! Providing the fabric lasts well with washing, this dress will be out and about a lot this year. 

Sewing Megan

Finally some time to do a bit of sewing. The Crafty Neighbour and I got together yesterday for a bit of crafty fun. I had a quilt to finish binding. I am afraid it wouldn't win any prizes for neat sewing, but it is snuggly, warm and colourful, so fits the purpose. 

Not a flash photo, but you get that with the I-pad. I used a roll of Kaffe Fassett fabrics and created a wave effect with the quilting to provide texture. It is machine quilted and bound. I usually hand bind because my accuracy is very rough and ready, but just went for it this time. 

I found some tulip fabric to have a go at a dress from Tilly's lovely book. 

I had a go an making a toile for Tilly's Megan dress, and needed to make some alterations to the fit. 

I need a lower neck because the high neck makes me look matronly with my generous bust. I lengthened both the bodice and the skirt. The bust fits but I altered the line of the dart to point to my apex. I am going to try a bias binding turning at the neck rather than facings to see if I can do it. 

The fabric is rather loud! It has a touch of stretch and is very easy to handle. Cotton blend I think. 

There is a sleepy helper nearby. 

I'm quite worried this will be another disaster project, and I'll be too embarrassed to show it off. I won't know until it is finished, so I'd better get on with it. 

Tilly's on the table

After a bit of a bloggy break - pop over to my big blog for news about that - I have cleared the dining table once again. I don't do that for just anyone. I invited Tilly Walnes, of Tilly and the Buttons fame, to join me. After a brief bit of umming and ahhing, I ordered her lovely first book, and am cracking on with my first challenge. 

Now I am really not sure how this project will go, as Tilly and I are quite different in proportions. She is apparently tiny. You couldn't say that about me, with my jutting bossom and ample hips. I also consider my knees and above strictly for private display only, in a very prim and proper way, so I know there will be some lengthening required. 

Tilly's designs are very sweet and girlie in a clean and simple way. She admires Breton stripes and self-covered buttons. I think she possibly wishes she was French. I can imagine her tootling around on a vintage bicycle with a bag of baguettes and bunches of flowers. 

I decided to tackle the "Megan" dress as I admire how simple it looks, and if I can make it work for my body, it would be a fantastic basic wardrobe item to create over and over. 

Tilly's version is above the knee, so I'll be adding several inches. I'm fervently hoping a FBA isn't required, but I guess this would be a great pattern to practise on. I'm also hoping that there is a lovely skimming effect over my tummy, which expanded in generous response to all of the delicious food I encountered on my recent holiday. 

The pattern is now made, so I'm going to dig out some old sheeting to make a muslin ( or should I call it a toile in honour of Tilly's imaginary bicycle rides through French brocantes).