14.11.12

On Location

I'm hoping to bring you a few location shots this coming year.  Carolyn does this so well.  I set off after the kids had left for school, and I tell you, I was a sweaty, dripping mess when I returned, relishing my air-conditioned office.


The pattern was Vogue 8494.  I made a couture version of this dress several years ago, and always wanted to make a casual version with frills down the v-neck.  Only when I pulled the pattern out, that notion seemed out-of-date.  I did not want to give up on the pattern, so I opted for a pleated collar type thing instead.  The collar is wide and forms a little shoulder covering as well.


Even with the collar, the dress seemed a little plain, so I added an asymmetric pleated flounce on the skirt as well.  Both the collar and the flounce were hand pleated in place (being on-the-run additions to the pattern).


See this next shot.  Well, I took along some other shoes for the photoshoot.  There was no way I could walk the gravel path up the hill in them, so I put them in the backpack with my camera and tripod.  My camera only takes one photo on its self timer and I don't have a remote.  It took all of the 10 sec timer to get into position when wearing the shoes, and then I had to take them off to get back to the camera.  Not to mention holding on to that tree so I did not slip down the slope.  So only one photo in these shoes.  I'll save them for lunching on a city vacation.


The fabric is a beautiful cotton from the Fabric Store in Brisbane.  I don't normally go for black prints, but this one reminded me of the Marc Jacob bird dress, which has a funky vibe about it.  The bodice is self lined.  I was halfway through cutting the bodice and lining when I thought to match prints.  I couldn't exactly match prints, being half-way through, but by swapping a few pieces around and cutting some off grain, I was able to maintain the right amount of print / spacing on the bodice, which was a little tricky with the princess seams.

There is a shop locally that sells thread and regular zippers.  Normally, I would use an invisible zip, but you've got to go with what you have.  It gave me a chance to try our Kathleen Fasanella's tutorial for a lapped zipper with facing, that I printed out yonks ago.   Look how neatly it turned out on the inside.  It looks as though I did not under stitch that section, which I may not have.  I did under stitch the rest of the neckline, but I left this bit when I was following the tutorial for attaching a facing for a sleeveless garment my machine.


The outside is just as neat.


After following those tutorials, I could not work out how to attach the bottom edge of the lining by machine, so I folded it under and slip-stitched in place.


And lastly, my favourite photo from the shoot, though no extra sewing info is to be gleaned from it.


16 comments:

Anonymous said...

The dress is great, and it does resemble the Marc Jacobs dress print a little.

Christy said...

Love the photo, the dress and the shoes. I look forward to hearing more about your interesting move.

Sew-4-Fun said...

Lovely dress. I really like the flounce you added.

Thanks also for taking the time to do some on-location shots. I was secretly hoping you would. :) Such an interesting and remote part of the country. It's great to see it through your photos, although I'm happy for you to forgo the heels and not risk life and limb. :)

katherine h said...

Thanks Belinda!

Karin said...

The fabric is gorgeous and so are the pleats. It looks lovely on you! Nice job with the photoshoot- I would have been way to lazy in the heat to do it!

Marie said...

Love the location shots (I think the flat shoes look fine).

love dress - I really like the flounce you have added. And such neat sewing on the inside.

Summer Flies said...

That fabric is lovely. I like the dress too... and I appreciate the location shots and the effort getting them! I too look forward to more location photos!

Sew Brunswick said...

I saw that fabric at the Fabric Store yesterday! I was very restrained and put it back. I will get it tomorrow!! Lovely dress.

Mary said...

Super shots! I really like the flounce you added to this dress.

Mary Nanna said...

I very much enjoyed your on location shots. It sure looks hot where you are.

Very pretty dress and what a lovely zipper application. You must be so proud of it. Why do an invisible zipper when no one can admire your skills. You want to be able to revel in its external and internal beauty.



Crab and Bee said...

Fantastic dress! The fabric is really cool, and it does look great against the reddish-brown of your photoshoot location! :)

Gail said...

Nice dress. The red dust of Australia is quite unique isn't it? Hope you are enjoying the top end.

Robyn said...

Such a great dress - I like the extra little touches you've added.

Carolyn sets the bar very high with her scenic shots doesn't she, but you've had some beautiful ones yourself. Love these photos.

MushyWear said...

Your dress is lovely. Your photos are also well done. I am impressed with the effort you put into obtaining your beautiful shots!

Amy said...

The ruffles are perfect (and so are the sandals!). I love seeing 'location' shots. (It's hard, I know, to shoot these. When I do I'm all shoot and run!) The red rock and sun remind me so much of parts of the southwest here... big desert mystery.

fabric epiphanies said...

I love your dress and had a laugh at he effort you went to for the photo. Your backdrop is very stereotypical Australian