Monday, 26 January 2015

An Edith Dress for Jungle January

After my initial attempt at the Edith Blouse and Dress pattern by Maria Denmark here I was enthusiastic to try again with a few changes. I purchased a jungle inspired print from the bargain shelf at my local Bargain Box Fabrics for only $5.00 per metre. It was some sort of cotton? I think, with a lovely drape. Perfect for Jungle January.

As I noted after making the blouse, I made a few changes to the pattern. Firstly, I retraced the pattern in the bigger size B44 ( and added 1.5cm seam allowances). I hope I didn't mislead people in my last post regarding the sizing of this pattern. I think the pattern corresponds well to the sizing chart, I was just in denial about my actual size. As a side note regarding fabric requirements, Maria only provides fabric requirements for 140cm wide fabric. I used 112cm wide fabric and I cut the blouse easily out of 1.5m and the dress out of 2.5m. (This did not allow for making bias binding).

In order to address the issues of the bust darts being too high and the armholes being too small I did a very simple alteration to the pattern pieces. I simply slashed the pattern horizontally above the bust darts and through the armholes and spread it by 2cm.

I also cut off 7cm at the hemline to allow the hem to finish above my knee. 

I am really happy with the fit now. 

Sorry about the wrinkles but these photos were taken after wearing the dress all day at work.

I did have enough fabric to make some bias binding to finish off the sleeves. 

The darts at the back shoulder create a nice fit.

I used white thread for the construction and top stitching. I did think about using black thread to sew the buttonholes because I was using black buttons, but I am glad I went with white as they are quite unobtrusive and disappear into the print of the fabric.

I turned the hem up 1.5cm twice and top stitched. This is a really comfortable dress and I am so glad I tweaked the fit to make it work for me. Well worth the effort.

 This jungle print is certainly something I wouldn't normally wear...not really my colours, but I am pleased with the finished result. I already have another Edith cut out in a completely different fabric for a totally different look, and I have a few more blouses planned as well.

It has been fun to participate in Jungle January too.

 Many thanks to my daughter for taking these photos for me.
Happy Sewing
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25 comments:

  1. Carolyn26 January 2015 at 16:21

    Your dress looks lovely Jean! I really love these pretty softer colours on you too :)

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret28 January 2015 at 20:42

      Thank you Carolyn. Maybe I should rethink what colours suit me?

      Delete
  2. BeaJay26 January 2015 at 17:36

    That is a lovely dress. Perfect for the Australian "jungle". I love the colours in it. Dramatic but not too bright. Lovely.

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret28 January 2015 at 20:44

      Thanks for your lovely comment BeaJay. I'm not sure if the Jacaranda tree in my front garden qualifies for jungle, but it was the closest thing I could find for the photo.

      Delete
  3. MaciNic26 January 2015 at 23:36

    This is lovely. I'm very glad you re-visited Edith.

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret28 January 2015 at 20:46

      Thank you MaciNic. I am very glad that I revisited Edith too. I think you may see her pop up here a few more times yet.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous27 January 2015 at 01:44

    This is such a lovely fit on you. Definitely worth making again in lots of different fabrics.

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret28 January 2015 at 20:48

      I think this dress could look quite different in different fabrics. I already have another half made in a solid. Thanks for the nice comment.

      Delete
  5. Cherrypix27 January 2015 at 07:24

    I agree with Catolyn, those colours are lovely on you! The shoulder dart really makes a nice fit.

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret28 January 2015 at 20:51

      Thank you Anne for your lovely comment. The shoulder dart does create a nice fit.

      Delete
  6. Paola27 January 2015 at 08:24

    You've nailed the fit and the dress looks great. I too think these colours look good on you.

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret28 January 2015 at 20:53

      Thanks for the inspiration Paola, and your lovely comment.

      Delete
  7. Unknown27 January 2015 at 08:32

    The fit looks superb and the fabric print is so fun :) Growl - Happy Jungle January!

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret28 January 2015 at 20:55

      Thanks Carrie. The fabric was a surprisingly good quality and was lovely to sew. It was fun to participate in Jungle January for the first time too.

      Delete
  8. Judie27 January 2015 at 17:36

    Perfect! It was worth fiddling with the pattern.

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret28 January 2015 at 20:56

      Thanks Judie. This pattern is well worth the little bit of fiddling. A can see a few more Ediths in my future.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous28 January 2015 at 08:15

    Lovely dress, it fits you pretty well. I think also that the white thread is a good choice, I've read somewhere that if there is white colour in a print it is better to use white thread.

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret28 January 2015 at 21:01

      Thank you Aida. I am pleased with the white thread and I think it would work well with any print that includes white. It seems to blend in well.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous28 January 2015 at 09:42

    What a great dress! Looks so well suited to you, and versatile, too.

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  11. Diana2 February 2015 at 12:25

    Such a pretty dress and well fitting too. You look great in it and I love your "jungle" photography

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret3 February 2015 at 07:13

      Thank you Diana. All credit must go to my daughter for the "jungle" photography.

      Delete
  12. Cennetta6 February 2015 at 15:57

    Very cute dress, Jean. And very well made, perfect fit.

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret7 February 2015 at 09:26

      Thank you so much Cennetta. Your lovely comment means a lot to me.

      Delete
  13. Kyle21 July 2017 at 11:15

    I *love* the pictures of you with the plants--so very jungle!!!

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