With Thanksgiving behind me, I can breath a little easier. We had different guests stay with us for a total of 15 days. I was really happy with the way Thanksgiving turned out. My favorite moment of the meal was when I knew I had accomplished the feat:
My time for spending in the studio has been practically non-existent, as you know. With age, comes wisdom and the rule for the day is "Don't reinvent the wheel unless you absolutely have to."
Way back when I followed the Sew Serendipity Book to make this dress. Do you remember that?
As you know, recently I decided to make it longer.
Well ... all this cold weather has had me wanting a warm, long-sleeved flannel dress. In the midst of all the Thanksgiving hullabaloo, I decided to make myself that dress, but the last thing I had was time to start figuring out something new so I just used the very same pattern and made this:
Although I had to use every measuring tool I had,
I was able to cut the patterns for the skirt out flat so I could get the diagonals right. I wanted the top plaid to go straight up and down, and the bottom plaids to go on the diagonal.
I used the same sleeve pattern, just made it longer. In fact I was running a bit shy on fabric so I positioned the sleeves to end up at the selvedge - a serendipitous, pardon the pun, event that reduced the tedious time of hemming the cuffs. I also made changes to the bottom "ruffle". I made it longer in the back to give it more of an oldfashioned feel. I had to work quick as I was in no mood to reinvent the wheel because I already had my shoes picked out for the outfit.
Using the "old" pattern made the whole project fly along. The most time consuming part, the cutting out of the fabric, probably took me two hours - being that the bottom had to go on the diagonal, used up a few more brain cells than I would have liked. I am happy with the effect.
Sewing it up took less time than it takes to list all that we ate on that Thanksgiving feast thanks to the fact that I knew exactly what to do from the previous time. Pay no mind to the expression on my face. The wind is blowing something fierce outside and my husband and I had little desire to have a full on modeling shoot in the cold. If I didn't get it photographed today, I wouldn't ever get it posted and out to you.
I really have been thinking hard on all your lovely comments from the last post, and I think I have come up with a plan. I will finalize that and share it with you next time.
Carolina
Fantastic job!! It looks so warm and cozy. I kinda miss making clothes for bigger people. Caitlin is sad that I haven't made her something in a long, long time. Your hair looks fab too.
Your house is stunning by the way!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Elizabeth Mackey | 12/03/2011 at 12:29 PM
Oh, and that was my idea for Thanksgiving also, not to reinvent the wheel. Especially when you have too much going on, and people really just love the traditional stuff anyway. I think it makes it much easier. I still get frazzled in the end putting everything out on the table. This year everyone was in the kitchen chattering away, which made it really, really hot in there, and I got so dehydrated, that I thought at one point I was going to get sick! Aside from that we had a really nice time with friends.
Posted by: Elizabeth Mackey | 12/03/2011 at 12:32 PM
You look fabulous, your dress looks fabulous. Well done! I want a dress just like yours...badly. x
Posted by: amanda makes | 12/03/2011 at 02:15 PM
You look so pretty! I just love that fabric...and flannel, the perfect fabric to wear during the cold season.
A question, how do you keep it from sticking to you :( Flannel is one of my favorite fabrics...but it sticks something fierce :-o
Posted by: Maria | 12/03/2011 at 03:18 PM
Love it, Carolina. Switching up the direction of the fabric on the skirt was genius. Looks cute and cozy...a winning combination.
Posted by: Cassie @ You Go Girl! | 12/03/2011 at 03:24 PM
Wonderful! Comfy and cozy in the same outfit can be a feat in itself. Add stylish to that list and you've got one heck of a dress. And you look fabulous in it.
I'm looking forward to hearing more about your plans.
Posted by: Melissa P | 12/03/2011 at 04:04 PM
It looks beautiful Carolina! I'm very impressed with the way you handled the plaid. I'm too chicken, I would never by fabric with lines. Oh, and I'm equally impressed that you made this around Thanksgiving time with company coming.
Posted by: Alicia Armstrong | 12/04/2011 at 12:15 PM
Wow! I would love a flannel dress like that. Love the sleeves!
Posted by: Amy | 12/07/2011 at 09:07 AM
I love the plaid dress, Carolina. You did a fantastic job! It's so good that, unlike me, you actually wear your creations all the time, not just on special occasions. You are going to get a lot of wear out of that dress, you look beautiful in it, and it's going to be warm :)! I just had a great time getting caught up with all your blogs. I don't see how you do it with all the driving you have to do. Your creativity is amazing! I love you so much. By the way, the fall pictures are so beautiful. Mom
Posted by: Gwendolyn Acuna | 12/08/2011 at 03:13 PM