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The Walkaway dress – I’m walking away!

So as promised I gave myself a day to make the Walkaway Dress this week.  After my initial assessments of the pattern which I talked about HERE I looked at it again with fresh eyes.

I decided to use the Buttericks version and graded the pattern out from an 18 at the bust to a 22 at the waist.  My first stumbling block was the huge amount of fabric required.  Having cut out the long front section on the fold, the tiny back section on the fold and then the Huuuuuuuge skirt I realised that the skirt piece in fact required you to cut TWO!!!! Oh no………………….I’ve run out of pretty red duvet cover 🙁

After a huge internal hissy fit where I threw all my toys out of the pram and almost gave up there and then I turned to a big piece of navy polka fabric that I had in my stash.  It would mean using the stiff starchy almost see through white binding I had for making bunting with but I reminded myself this was a wearable toile and an experiment!

I re-started the clock (wanting to see if it really was possible to make this beast in 4 hours) and got cutting.  Half an hour in and I was cut out with all my markings transferred and good to sew.

The Buttericks instructions are clear and easy to follow, more so than I would say the Fashion with Fabric book is which I was also referring to out of interest.

Quite quickly I had my dress assembled but not bound.  It was at this point I tried my dress on and where I would look at making any adjustments needed……………….Have you ever tried pinning yourself in blind behind your back? Impossible! I tried a bulldog clip, various long pins nothing was working.  In the end I took it off and pinned it and then wiggled into the whole thing and flipped it over my head.  It looked ok, but it was impossible to really see.  A good seamstress would have stopped and waited till someone else was on hand to look at it with her, but no, I couldn’t resist and cracked on with the binding!

I did decide to cheat and used a KAM snap at the back as I though this would be easier to do up than buttons.  For a tiny while I thought about using them on the front too but then snapped out of my laziness and went back to button loops.  It was a skill I needed to try and also part of the visual prettiness of the pattern so I was good.

A few more hours in (3.37 to be precise) I was stitching buttons on.  I used some pretty red vintage floral buttons to give it some zing.  So it is at least possible to indeed make the dress in a morning and go out for lunch in it the same day! Although the pattern does say to hang for 24 hours before hemming to allow the bias to drop so it’s not entirely true.

On the mannequin the dress looks ok, it is pinned in massively at the sides at this point though as it is very very gappy.  I have to say, when trying this on I would never ever wear it.  There is no flattering 50’s fit, the waist is far lower than it should be and as for the sides, they gape so much that you would see all your undergarments.

The next day Elspeth my trusty sewing buddy came into the studio and tried it on.  At first glance she looked super, especially as she happened to have a red long sleeved top underneath, but on 2nd glance we all thought it reminded us of the housework aprons worn by our grandparents!

It was at this point I realised that without a big pattern rework to include heightening the side panels and raising the waist this pattern would never look beautiful I decided to leave it on my mannequin as a homage to the GBSB 2015 crew!

Following on from my disappointment I have discovered a few people online who have made this garment work but I’m still not sure I feel like trying again.  I particularly like this blog by Edelweiss Patterns which tells you a little more history of how Buttericks re-drew the original 1950’s pattern and some changes you can do to make it fit.  Who knows maybe one day I might try again but I think it will be chalked down to an experiment for now.  Do let me know how you get on with the pattern I would be interested to see any you have made successfully or not quite so successfully!

Lastly huge thanks to Elspeth for agreeing to prance around in this monstrosity and have her picture included on my blog! You can read her blog ‘Ever so Elspeth‘ where she chats about her sewing and craft adventures.

 

Previous Post: « Rainbow Pom Pom blanket – ta da!
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Shipping is flat rate to the UK or you can click and collect from the store. Alternatively, pop down and stroke it in person. BTHQ is open 10 till 4 today.
Today we are delighted to be introducing a new cha Today we are delighted to be introducing a new challenge to you that is free to join in with.  We hope it will encourage you to try something new.

The 'Sew out of your comfort zone challenge' is designed to encourage you to create something that you wouldn't normally try, or to venture into a new sewing territory.

Maybe there is a pattern you think just wont suit you, but you've seen lots of other people making it and are tempted to give it a try.  Maybe there is a new technique you've always wanted to have a go at but have been to scared to try.  You might have been sewing for years but have never tried a particular fabric or method before.

Sandra has always avoided the Tilly & The Buttons Indigo dress as it has soooo much gathering and she thought it would not be all that flattering.  But she's seen me wearing my many versions and has now decided to give it a go.

I have made lots of jumpsuits but have never worked with Scuba before or a Deer and Doe pattern so I'm giving it a go for the first time.

Join us during Februrary and pick something that pushes you out of your comfort zone.  Be sure to post your progress on social media using the hashtag #sewoutofmycomfortzone and we can all hold your hand in the process.
We had an amazing busy day in BTHQ making hats…I We had an amazing busy day in BTHQ making hats…I mean Closet Core poufs! 😂
We will be live on our YouTube channel at 12.30 to We will be live on our YouTube channel at 12.30 today showing you all of the beautiful fabrics we now have in stock. Link in our stories
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The straps are also ridiculously  long. The bag is much too wide for my shoulders so isn’t comfortable to wear. Never mind, good reason to try another pattern!
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We welcomed back our beginner sewers tonight for a We welcomed back our beginner sewers tonight for a new term. More fabulous quilted boxes whizzed up in their 1st session.
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@sew59sandra is very happy today. She's treated h @sew59sandra is very happy today. She's  treated herself to the Atelier 6 sewing machine from Janome. It's currently on special offer until Feb 9th and includes a free quilting kit.
We still have 2 places left on this fabulous cours We still have 2 places left on this fabulous course this Saturday.  Claire will be showing you how to make something wonderful from your scrap fabrics using the Creative Grids Scrap Crazy templates. 

Not only is this a great scrap project you can also create beautiful planned quilts from fabric bought specifically for your own designs.  The templates are so versatile that they can be used to seamlessly create beautiful designs.  Come and enjoy the magic as Claire talks you through lots of different options and leave the class with your own set of templates to play with at home worth £29.99!!
It may be disgusting outside, but inside the kettl It may be disgusting outside, but inside the kettle is always on, and there is always room on our couch or craft table for you to pop on for a chat or a bit of knitting or crochet.

There's no need to book. Just come on down. We are open 10 till 4. Free of charge, just pop a donation in the tin for your drinks.
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