Monday, December 3, 2012

A New Laura Ashley!


I was really taken with McCalls 5972 - a Laura Ashley sheath dress with a retro collar:



I  made view "B", with a plaid that looks like a wool, but is really a synthetic blend I found at Hancock's.  It was perfect for this pattern:  soft drape for the collar, but enough body for the dress.  I don't know what possessed me to choose a plaid for my first rendition of this dress - all that extra matching at the center of the dress, and the skirt sides took more way more time, but I just liked the look of this plaid.  The collar rolled perfectly, and this synthetic was more of a pleasure to work with than I had anticipated.  I made a size 12 with no alterations, except for the side seams which I varied based on the finished pattern measurements.  I sewed the side seams with a 5/8 inch seam allowance above the bust darts, and then narrowed the side seams to 1/2 inch to the waist.  I made the skirt with 1/2 inch side seams and got a very good fit.

(This fabric really is wrinkle resistant - I had been sitting all day at work when this photo was taken.)  My only other change was that I used silk shantung bias strips to finish the armholes, rather than single fold bias tape the pattern called for.  There is a side seam zipper and a back vent.  The bodice is lined, and I used some light pink cotton batiste I had leftover in the stash.

All and all, this turned out to be a very comfortable and professional dress and I recommend the pattern.

Parting Shots: My wedding present from VickiW!
Vicki started piecing this pink-and-brown churn dash quilt years ago and I staked my claim to it early on.  She finished it as my wedding present last week!  Check out the awesome quilting on the back:
Vicki quilted feathers in the blocks and cross-hatching in between!   And here is the all-important label:
This quilt means so much to me.  I love the colors. I love the quilting.  And it is big!  The Carpenter said it was "too good to use" but we have been sleeping under it every night!  Thank you, Vicki!

7 comments:

Vicki W said...

The dress is very flattering! Tell the Carpenter that he's wrong. I would be hurt if you did not use it! I am so happy that you like it.

Donna Gill said...

Wow! Impressive. Sweet dreams :)

gwensews said...

Very pretty. I love the collar and remember wearing collars like that in the 60s. And, there is nothing that feels like sleeping underneath a quilt. Lucky you.

maria said...

I love the dress but I really love the quilt. A beautiful quilt for a beautiful couple.

Summerset said...

That dress is perfect for you! Vicki did an amazing job with that quilt, too!

Audrey said...

The dress fits great and looks so work professional. This is a good thing! I think I have sewn that same fabric, and it was very nice to work with. The quilt is beautiful and the quilting is superb, as I would expect from Vicki.

Fabric Carolina said...

I really liked this quilting art and the combination of fabric which you have used is wonderful.
Laura Ashley Fabric