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3.22.2014

Pay no attention to the women on your sidewalk

Well Hello there, were you all concerned that I'd finally been buried alive in my fabric stash? It's really just a question of when it's going to happen. Maybe we should set up some Vegas odds so someone can make a little extra pattern money.

Instead of death by fabric avalanche, I was conspired against by my cover stitch machine. It decided to spontaneously break cause I forgot to engage the lower looper before stomping on the pedal.  As frog is my witness I've done this before without negative affects. Me thinks the machine just wanted some extra spa time away from my sweat shop. Alright you little diva, go have your vacation. I'll just sit here and stew about my secret PJ plans being thwarted....and sew out of season dresses.

Old man winter was all, "Oh you're sewing summer dresses? Enjoy some more snow then. Muhaaaa!!" Dude is a real piece of work.  While I'm willing to totter around the snow drifts in 3" heels, I have to draw the line at open toed sandals. You understand I'm sure, unless you're a Nihilist looking for a toe. 

This is me looking pretty incredulous about Walter's claims that he can get a toe, "There are ways."  Bitch Please, what's mine is mine.
Beside I'm rocking a whole Dorthy in the Wizard of Oz look here and I'm pretty sure these shoes are a one way ticket back to Kansas.  Maybe with a layover cause I skimped on the glitter.

In case you've forgotten this is Simplicity 2444, my first #sewdollyclackett dress. In true Dolly style I'm going to christen it with a snappy name.  May I present my "Gingham is for the birds" dress.  Eh, eh, see what I did there?  The birds look like gingham from far away? OK, I'll stop explaining my "cleverness" to you. Enjoy some pics in front of my neighbors fence. Traaa laa laaa there's no place like your fence.
I've gone down a Simplicity dress size so the pattern needed to be retraced and altered again. All the same pattern adjustments were made as before with the addition of a 1/4" hollow chest adjustment. This took care of the slight gaping of the neckline my original dress had. Who hollowed out my chest while I wasn't looking!

To pick up the bit of pink on the birds and add to my "learning new techniques" goal, I stole an idea from Gertie and put pipping in at the neckline and sleeve hems.  I just want you all to know that I suck at piping and made frog finish it for me.  He does tidy sewing work for baked goods.
The neckline has a facing but the sleeves are finished with the piping as a facing technique Gertie recently blogged.  
See someone catch stitched with white when they should have used pink.  Frog points a paw squarely at me. He will not have his good name sullied. He also wants to know where his Toto costume is.

My love for Simplicity 2444 has not waned.  The pleated skirt, the pockets, the fun darts on the bodice, it's full of win! I might find myself with a closet full of them with matching shoes....and OMG have I turned into our sew-a-long muse Dolly Clackett? Wait am I... Ginger? Frog says, "No you're just sort of brown."  Awww I wanted to be ginger, I've never been ginger! Though I seem to have acquired a Scarecrow and Tin Man.  Get out of my frame you two! At least the Lion knows how to work a camera.  

Well I must be hitting the old yellow brick road, there is a dress with giant poppies on it waiting for a hem.  I'll leave you with this shot that adds nothing except that I'm being slightly goofy and the caption amuses me. Come on froggie, we got a date with a wizard.
Witch is sending a flock of flying monkeys for my shoes? Has she never heard of Amazon Prime?

56 comments:

  1. This is so gorgeous! I really thought it was gingham when I first opened the post. Love the fit and the piping is a dream!!! Froggie really has some talent in that department. Send him my regards, it's been a while since we sat by a fire and talked about the latest scandals from the lily pads. You look delightful Mrs B!

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  2. I'm so glad you used the precious fabric! It really looks great! Like Clare, i totally thought it was gingham, too - even though I knew you were sewing birds I didn't recognise them until halfway through the post! Looks lovely on you, as always. The piping is perfect!

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  3. Gorgeous! I am absolutely in love with this fabric, Heather. It really does look like gingham, from far away. Also, that pink piping is a genius addition. Love it!

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  4. I love this dress, the fabric, piping and pleats. It looks fantastic on you.

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  5. The birds! I so love that fabric. Your dress looks amazing and congrats on going down a size ;-) The piping is an awesome way to finish the sleeves and neck (mental note to try that sometime).

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  6. LOVE LOVE LOVE! The pink the way it reads as a gingham from far away, love it all!

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  7. I love this. I used some of this fabric to make a tank top for my sister and am still kicking myself that I didn't buy some for myself. I too have made a Dolly dress, I just need to find a location other than my backyard for the photo shoot.

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  8. Fantastic. The fabric looks great, and the piping makes it really pop. Simplicity 2444 is such a great pattern. I'm starting my Dolly Clackett dress this weekend. It's going to be a Anna on a gathered skirt in a navy and blue daisy print

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  9. this is fantastic!!! love the dress name too. i grew up in KS and totally love the wizard of oz... so yeah, i'm a fan of this one! and froggie is getting pretty talented, i have to say! :)

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  10. I love the pop of color from the piping- just adorable!

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  11. You look awesome!! So pretty. I love this dress and just bought some piping for my next 2444...great minds....yours is just so much quicker on that machine!

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  12. Beautiful dress. The piping is a really nice touch.

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  13. When is it ever wrong to put a bird on anything I wonder? Love this dress and the piping is a glorious colour! Glad you've not been buried under your fabric stash, but if that ever happens I guess you could just sew your way out.

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  14. That's a beautiful dress and you look gorgeous. Dolly Clacket will be proud.

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  15. Beautifully finished Dorothy dress! Love the print and the piping details! Keep that toe safe, I hope your neighbors are not nihilists!!

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  16. You and Froggie make quite the team, I must say. Adorable dress, and you are making me think I need a #sewdollyclackett dress as well!

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  17. I agree. Gorgeous dress. What great piping.
    My coverstitch machine is playing havoc with me at the moment so we're officially 'not speaking' to each other.

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  18. I love this dress and you look gorgeous in it! Similar to everyone else, my brain was thinking 'gingham' even though I had clearly seen birds on IG. I really have to try that piping technique - it works great on this dress. How did you find the perfect lipstick and belt to match the piping? And those shoes!

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  19. love it! you are looking fabulous and those flashes of pink are ace!

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  20. www.tresbienensemble.comMarch 24, 2014 at 12:12 PM

    LOVE. This pattern is really fun! It definitely has a gingham vibe to it, The piping contrast is FABULOUS! I love the contrast and pop of color. Also, your hair is looking mighty cute.

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  21. Ha ha ha, another fun post to read. You had me laugh and laughing today. I love the pink piping (good job froggie!!) and the shoes are absolutely fabulous. I raise a glass of wine to you.

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  22. Loving the pink on blue and you look so gorgeously svelte with that tiny waist.

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  23. Thank you Clare, now I should sew up something that shows the girls for you. ;) Froggie says that he will be over for a visit soon and he'll bring the cookies.

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  24. I meant to comment on this two days ago, but was blanking on Disqus passwords on my Kindle. :P It's a lovely dress. I love that it looks kind of like houndstooth but it's really birds!

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  25. Thank Wendy, channeling the great Dolly Clackett sure is fun.

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  26. Thank Gillian, happy that the birds sewed up well too. I didn't even notice that the birds look like gingham until I took the FO shots. So funny.

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  27. Thank you Mary, I was super excited when the store bought piping exactly matched the fabric. It was meant to be!

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  28. Thanks Lori, the 2444 skirt somehow manages to be big and fluffy yet flattering. Part of the reason I love it so.

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  29. Thanks Kristin, I was so happy that Gertie did that timely post about the piping. It's easy and pretty.

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  30. Thanks CG! Think I did splash a picture of the fabric on IG at some point. I like to flash my birds. ;) The piping technique is excellent. I should have scrapped the facing on the neckline and done the catch stitching on that as well.

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  31. Thank you Em, sewing this fabric was the perfect way to fight the winter blues. Can't be sad when you're handling birds and pink piping, no sir. :)

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  32. Thanks Ginger! Confession time, I had about 3 colors of lipstick on to try and match the pink. All the pinks must match!

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  33. Oh no, fabric regret is the worst. If only you could tell your past self to buy a little more. Can't wait to see your Dolly dress in the flickr group. :)

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  34. Another Simplicity 2444 fan, high 5! The Anna bodice on a gathered skirt is a great combo. (I might have just finished one) Can't wait to see your Dolly Clackett dress.

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  35. Thanks Lisa. The Wizard of Oz still holds a warm fuzzy place in my heart. How can it not with those awesome ruby slippers.

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  36. Thanks Margo. Haa haa, we're gonna be dress twins again. I know you're gonna use some fabric that I'm gonna want to steal. I'll be hunkering down at my computer waiting to see it.

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  37. Thanks Cari, gonna have to work on my piping skills cause I'm liking the finished product.

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  38. Thanks Melanie, hee hee, it's never wrong to put a bird on it. I should start training Des to bring me scissors and thread if I ever need to sew my way out of a fabric avalanche.

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  39. Thank you Sabine. Super pleased I finally sewed this fabric up.

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  40. Thanks VicikiKate. Frog says that he is quick like rabbit and will sew up your hem just as fast.

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  41. Thank you Melanie, it was a fun project to sew.

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  42. Thanks Angela. I should be careful about those neighbors. They might want a toe in exchange for all my fence modeling time. ;)

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  43. Thanks Maris. Froggie and I are like batman and robin without the tights and elf shoes. OK sometimes we wear those too. Froggie says you should make a #sewdollyclackett dress and to give him a call if you need sewing assistance.

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  44. Thanks Velosewer. I'm sorry to hear your coverstitch is also being contrary. Why can't these machines get their satisfaction from making nice clothing for us?

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  45. Thanks sis, at least my blog absence allowed the crazy to build up to a "perfect" writing level. Now would you like to sniff my new pink plastic shoes? They make you feel funny. :)

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  46. Thanks Jo, I might have cinched that belt up tight. LOL!

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  47. Thanks Becky. I didn't think about it looking like houndstooth but I see what you mean. They must be crafty birds that change their shape. :)

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  48. Thank you Michelle. I would have never thought about the piping if it wasn't for Gertie's blog post. Glad it happened before I finished this dress. :) My hair was fresh from the salon where their blow drying skills are superior to mine. :)

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  49. Why yes, just ship those shoes on down to me. I'll get them back to you....eventually.

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  50. I absolutely love this dress: style, fit, colour scheme, and of course those birds and the piping. Pretty awesome, Heather!

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  51. Dude, it's shameful of me not to have commented properly before now but I love this dress so much. I would wear the shit out of this. And the shoes! And I am majorly impressed you braved the freezing cold for for these photos, too. You're officially a rock hard badass.

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  52. Thanks Andrea! I knew this bird print would make an awesome dress. Just so hard to pick one and commit. :) Glad I finally did.

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  53. Awwwww thanks Roisin. I have to tell you that it's super fun to shop for "Dolly Clackett" shoes. This whole sew-a-long is so much fun. Thanks for being our inspiration. :)

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