Friday 23 April 2010

Ottobre Harebell dress

My darling DH finds this hard to believe, but Laura needs some new knit dresses for summer. I've given the Farbenmix Olivia pattern a good run (now that he DOES believe!) so although I could just make up some short-sleeved versions, I wanted a bit of a change. But I'm having a bit of a job finding another pattern that's different enough to make it worth purchasing it. I really like Patty Young's new Abigail pattern, but that isn't available to buy yet, so I was thrilled when I saw the Harebell dress in the new Ottobre.
















Keen-eyed readers will note that this is a dress for woven fabric, minus sleeves but with an invisible zipper. It also starts in size 98, and heaven only knows when Laura will be big enough for that size!






It struck me that I could make the dress up in a knit, omit the zipper, add some sleeves, and I'd have just the dress I wanted. Being fairly realistic about my sewing skills I tried it out in some very cheap jersey that I wasn't all that keen on. I graded down a size, cut the back in one piece on the fold, and used the sleeve from the flounce sleeve t-shirt in Ottobre's 03/07 issue. I didn't bother with the edgings or back tie because this was only a muslin.









When I make the next version, I'll omit the seam allowances to reduce the wearing ease, increase the width of the sleeve head, reduce the width of the neckline, and use contrasting fabrics so that the effect of two different fabrics isn't completely lost from a distance. I'll also be including the tie-back because that's what gives the back its apron-effect. But flaws aside, I'd say that this is a very successful muslin and I've already picked out the fabrics for the next two, which will also help to reduce the stash in time for the June/July delivery of my Patty Young knits pre-order. Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?

9 comments:

KID, MD said...

Nice work! Especially as you graded it down. It looks very cute!

Natalie said...

It is amazing when a plan comes together! This is adorable and I can't wait to see your next one!

Nicole said...

Love it!

Julia said...

Cutie!!!!

NHeimberg said...

thanks so much for sharing this. I have a Harebell in progress. This is my first Ottobre pattern that Ive ever done. its a real challenge for me. Yours looks great.

Anonymous said...
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les idées de maman said...

salut moi c'est sandra bravo pour tes créations j'adore trop c'est super beau...j'ai craqué sur ta feliz elle est trop trop belle du coup j'ai décidé d'en faire une pour ma fille on a 2 mariage je pense qu'elle sera trop mimi dedans ..je voulais savoir par raport aux tailles je suis un peu nul en anglais je voulais t'envoyer un mail mais je n'ai pas trouver le lien..encore bravo..
biz sandra

Kathryn said...

Thank you for the lovely comments. My French isn't brilliant Sandra but I think you're asking about the sizing for the Feliz? I did the 86/92 size. Each size covers a wide size range; I did one for Laura last year that I cinched in tight at the back. The new one is the same size, but the elastic at the back is looser. You can also move the straps around to give more room at the armhole or the neckline. it's a great pattern. Check out http://trilliumdesign.blogspot.com/2008/11/feliz-sew-along-part-deux-prep.html for an excellent tutorial on how to make it.

Anonymous said...

last few days our class held a similar talk on this topic and you show something we haven't covered yet, appreciate that.

- Laura

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