I bought my fabric from the Market Man in Darlington and it reminded me so much of Katherine, who interviewed me for her dissertation at Sunderland University. It was a real pleasure to meet her and she also came along to the blogger meet up in Dewsbury. She bought lots of fabric that her Mum said she must not sew until the dissertation was finished! I am not sure she stuck to that one! So I just had to name this after you Katharine!
I used Simplicity 1609 which is a shift style dress with large darts on the front which give it a lovely shape.
I think it suits me more that the straight shift. I also love the bow which sits in the neck. I decided to use the same fabric for the bow as when it is worn just as a dress it is not noticeable, the fabric kind of talks for itself. When I am wearing my trusty cardigan though, it makes a real difference to the look of the dress. I didn’t interface the bow as I wanted it to be quite soft, when I have interfaced them they tend to be like a bow tie !
Obviously, I have another in the pipeline, as I did double cutting and dart sewing and bow making! Once I had done those parts, I left The Florrie and concentrated on getting the Katharine finished. I used bias on the neck and sleeves instead of facings. I also added a 7inch concealed zip in the side.
I really like to wear these dresses for work as they are smart, comfortable and I only buy fabric that I have shoes to match! Mmmmm , I have lots of shoes needing new dresses!!
Have you noticed the sunshine!!??!! I even got a shadow or two in my photos …but who cares!!?? And the wisteria….it looks so beautiful.
The Blog Manager likes to find something in the house for an arty shot! This time a matching canvas!!
And to finish…….. this month I was asked to contribute to a magazine! How exciting! But….the best bit? I got permission for two of the girls to be in print too in their handmade fleece ponchos. Don’t they look lovely?
Pattern:SimplicitIy 1609
Fabric: 2metres from the Market Man (£10)
Notions:7 inch concealed zip, thread, bias binding
Wonky Factor: 10/10- I ❤️ it!
Amanda 💝
Here’s a sneak preview of The Florrie…. See what I mean about the shoes????
Lovely 🙂
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Thank you Mari! 🐝
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Beautiful dress in a stunning fabric! And like everyone else, I really want those red shoes!
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Thanks !! 👠👠👠
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Lovely dress and good suggestion on the bias bindings, I will try that. I look forward to the Florrie because I really love those shoes. Nice article, so many benefits to teaching young sew, problem solving skills, math, etc.
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Oh and they absolutely love it! They would do it everyday if they could I am sure! We have just started our elasticated summer skirts!! They are delighted with them…one finished so far!
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So fabulous! And the Katherine has to be up there as one of my favs.. xxx
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Thanks Kate!
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I don’t know which I love the most – the fabric, the dress or the shoes! The fabric is gorgeous and looks rather like the Liberty Mabelle print so at £10 you’ve got a bargain.
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It is just like it as I had ordered some of it in cream and brown and it arrived just after I bought this! I hadn’t realised how similar it was…I just thought I had seen it before!!!
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Love it, love it, love it all.
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Thanks Linny….did you see the sun!!?? Woo woo….has gone again now!
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Really look forward to meeting your frocks! They have a personality which is fab! I can see why you called this one Katherine – it reminds me of her too. This fabric would rock as a jump suit too…., how yours coming along? I need to get cracking once I finish this last night shift. 😃
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Thanks! Glad you agree! I think her bag of Dewsbury goodies had lots of this design but in different colours! I have the pattern only! I am going to do at half term! I’ve seen fabric but at £12 a metre!!!!!! I think I will be looking again!!! I’m not sure cotton will work for a jumpsuit ?? So was going for more drapey.
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My linen mix is no good. Glad I used some to make the top, it’s really too wrinkly. Will have to go shopping…. Again!
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No, that’s what I thought they are too sturdy, the lady on the market hall stall said the shop bought ones are viscose types (I think that’s right!!!!)
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I love this pattern too 🙂 It seems many of us do. Lovely choice of fabric as always and it goes without saying really, but looks lovely with the matching shoes. I was flicking through my copy of Love Sewing when it arrived on Saturday morning, when my daughter looking over my shoulder said ‘it’s Amanda!’ Made me smile 🙂
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Oh! How lovely!!!!! Made my day! What a little cutey she is!! I haven’t seen it yet!! Can’t wait!! X
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Funny as your name wasn’t anywhere obvious. Famous indeed 😉
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Definitely!! Hahaha! I love the collar you did on this dress, but my fabric was just too fussy. And it looked very tricky!! Hahaha
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Yep, it wasn’t too pretty close up 😉
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Hahahahahaha! Hilarious! Well it looked amazing on the photo!!! Keep quiet!!!
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Lovely dress and those shoes are adorable! I find I don’t like interfacing bows either, makes them look way too stiff. The last pussy bow blouse I made I used organza instead of interfacing. I think it gives just about the right amount of floppiness to the bow.
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Oh that’s an idea. Did you just stitch it in?? Might try that, as once they have been washed they go abit strange!!
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Yes, just stitch it in, like not fusible interfacing. It means the bow is still floppy, but still holds some shape.
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Thanks. Will get some. Bit late for this year’s summer bows! But sure I will be making more!! Haha
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I have that Simplicity pattern, nice to see it done up! Very lovely!
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Thank you! 🐝
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This is inspiring me to have a another crack at the pattern – gorgeous material and what a bargain. I look forward to having the confidence one day to put my own spin on things as you have done here with theconcealed zip to the side and bias instead of facings. It looks lovely.
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Thanks! Yes, I used to stick to the pattern completely, but then when you do something on a pattern , that works well it makes sense to transfer it to another! I just never liked how facings felt when I wore them so bias was the answer! Keep sewing!! ✂️
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Beautiful dress, beautiful fabric! Where about in Darlington is the Market Man? I live relatively close by in Redcar!
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He does a stall on a Saturday , he used to be outside Boyes, but keeps moving around High Row….the good news for you is…..they have an actual shop in Stockton indoor Market!!!! 🌟⭐️🌟
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Oh, love your red dress! You are getting so fit with your 10,000 steps, and this dress shows it – congratulations!
Rosy red isn’t my personal thing, but I can sure admire it on your good yourself, as well as drool over those cute shoes with fabric bows – a-dooo-rable! (And I do miss seeing & smelling wisteria in Spring.)
Delightful magazine article, too. Will have to see about getting a copy over here in this sewing-starved country.
Always enjoy your posts, Amanda – thank you! 👠💄🌹
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Thanks Del!! 👠🎒🌂☎️📮
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You always choose beautiful fabrics. I love this pattern!
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Thanks Beth! X
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Looks fantastic! What a lovely print fabric.
In a strange coincidence, I also blogged about S1609 with matching shoes today!
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Hahaha, oh on my way!
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Hi Amanda, thanks for the follow! I totally agree about sewing being a great way to relax – the busier and more stressful my day, the more sewing I get done! It’s amazing how the look of a garment changes with the addition of a cardigan, isn’t it? Two outfits for the price of one. FABulous shoes! I’m envious the way you rock the bow tie – I look like my neck merges with my boobs if I try that:)
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Hahaha, I’m sure it doesn’t!! I have such a picture in my head now!
Congrats on your tunic though, it looks great…and fast! Hahaha 💝
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I do like your choice in fabrics and still don’t know how you find time to do all the sewing you do. I am part time but get hardly anything done. Just one question….do the shoes or material come first, and if it is the shoes do you take them with you when buying material? 😊
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Thank you! Confessions…I have so many shoes in so many colours that I usually have some in the wardrobe somewhere! I saw this fabric and just loved it. I have a little routine….Friday night is cutting out night! And then I do a little bit on Saturday and Sunday. If I have a stressful day I do half an hour on an evening……it is amazing how much you can do in half an hour and it is very therapeutic! You have to work hard on the guilt trip of having half an hour to do something you love! Also, I never line anything so it is much quicker…….but obviously not when on the Sewing Bee!!! Hahaha 🐝🐝🐝
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Beautiful beautiful fabric. You look so gorgeous in those colours.
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Oh thanks Becki. I have to say I do love red!! I am even considering a red Jumpsuit for June!!!!!! #redoverload!!!! ❤️🌹🍓🍒🚗🎪🚨☎️👠
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Go for it!
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Oops sorry Bekki, think I used the wrong spelling last time!
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Aw thank you. No worries, Bekki gets spelt so many ways, I even struggle with other people with my name.
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