Lonsdale Summer Dress!

It's taken me longer than I thought to make this dress. I'm not sure why. The pattern can be done quite quickly (two and a half days on my first go for the muslin) and the instructions are fantastic. This dress is finished the nicest of anything I've ever dreamed of making. I've learned so much.

Mama Said Sew bodice lining, finished
seams and pockets - so exciting!

All the different ways to finish seams: simple stitches and no serger; bound edges; turned and stitched; and round-ups of techniques at Sew Mama Sew and Colette! There are such great resources out there! I've also done a lot of reading and video watching on different ways to hem: hemming a circle skirt by Gertie; and sewing a blind hem by Colette. I've been adding lots of clothes blogs to my reader and following new youtube channels!

I attached the zipper to the front of the bodice, and
then folded the lining over inside to give a finished edge.
I don't think I'd do it this away again.

The Super Online Sewing Match! has been brilliant for introducing me to new clothes people. Are you following it? I'm starting to wonder why I don't just spend all my time making clothes... but then I realise that I like making stuff without instructions too and quilts kind of fill that for me! But I definitely won't be stopping making clothes.

The invisible zipper is not very invisible on the outside. But not all that noticeable, and pretty good for my third one. By the time I've made clothes for another year I might be good at it! I do find the interfaced waistband really makes it hard and that's the place where the invisibility is worst. I did read that some people don't interface their waistbands which might help, but then does that lessen the ability of the waistband to do its job? I don't know. Maybe I'll try only interfacing the outside of the waistband next dress...

I love the length.

The photos aren't doing a good job showing up how gorgeous the fabric is, I think the light is bouncing off my ridiculous paleness and ruining things ;) The fabric is from Dan Bennett's Ruby collection. I wish I had more of it!

This shows it up better. I love this dress. It turned out great and I can't really believe it's only the third dress I've made! I love the bow at the back and the pockets! I love that I used this fabric for this pattern. I'm really glad I held onto it since last summer when I bought it. I'll hopefully have this dress for a long long time!

Final view of the back:

Onwards now, towards baby quilts, sister's quilt, and wedding ceremony paraphernalia. My next personal project will be another Sew Sweetness bag, and then another dress! If I ever get that far :)

Hope you're all keeping well!