Blue silk dress

This project was my first foray into sewing with silk, and I was trying to finish it in time for my work christmas party.  However that didn't quite pan out, but I did finish just in time to find it not fit around my belly anymore (due to baby, not pies)

Overall I'm pleased with the fit, I had to go down a few sizes and the pattern had far to much ease, and then do a full bust adjustment...which in this kind of pattern pretty much just meant to cut the chest patterns out of a larger size.

The way to make sewing with silk easy I've found is to use toilet paper inbetween the seams to stabilise them as I sew, and then it's quick to remove once sewn.

And the fabric?  $9 a metre.  Alannah Hill.  Heart.

Alannah Hill silk (AKA the one that got away)

18 months ago, I tried on a silk Maxi dress for $80.  It looked fantastic, and for some STUPID reason, I didn't buy it.  Even after the shop girl said I would regret this.  Damn her foresight.

But we'll get back to that in a moment.  Being a poor Alannah Hill addict, I have often frequented the Clear It store in Brunswick Street, where all of her excess/seconds/samples are sent.  And only recently did a dim memory reappear, of the rolls and rolls of excess fabric also sold there.  Within 3 hours, a lunchtime expedition was launched to Brunswick Street.

And oh the delight.  Printed silk, $9 a metre.  Lightweight pinstripe suiting, $4 a metre.  THAT IS CHEAPER THAN MY COFFEE!!!!  So naturally I came home with 6 metres.  Gosh was the husband surprised.

Thus, the plan is to recreate the dress that got away, in better material and the perfect fit.  Now to just find a pattern.  It can't be that hard right?

The pinstripe?  That has already been set aside for one of the following 1950's dresses.  The only question is, which one?  I'm leaning towards the one with the little underbust belt.