12.22.2012

brighter than I think I am


okay, lemme clarify something for alla y'all speed readers out there.  in fact, lemme put it in big bold red letters:

THE BY HAND LONDON ELISALEX DRESS PATTERN IS NOTHING SHORT OF PERFECTION AND IT WAS ONLY THROUGH MY HAIRBRAINED MACHINATIONS THAT I HAD ANY TROUBLE WHATSOEVER. RUN, DON'T WALK, TO BUY THIS PATTERN.

ahem.  we now returned to our regularly scheduled post.

i wrote a bit about this dress last week on my blog; it was giving me fever and i was not happy.

mainly, i'm mad at myself. i did everything i could to second guess this pattern, the elisalex dress from By Hand London.  i made my usual modifications on the fly, thinking i'd head possible problems off at the pass.  turns out, there were no problems to head off.  this baby fit me right out of the exceedingly lovely box. (i'm talking about the packaging, peeps, soon to be drooled over--these patterns are something you'll want to display in your room, totally bookshelf worthy.) if i would have spent less time second guessing the exemplary drafting, and more time on pattern placement, a much happier kalkatroonaan camper i would be.


alas, i was too smart for my own good, and in thinking ahead i didn't concentrate on the cutting task at hand. Aal of the gorgeous lavender and orange bits of this pixelated wool print from mood were lost on the back bodice, arms, and dear god, remnants. at one point, deep in my regret, i cut out all the best parts of the bits and pieces and appliqued them to the neck line of the dress.

that did not go well.

i resigned myself to bright accessories instead.


let's not talk about the specific smart ass moves i made that bit me in said ass here. let's just say that at one point, i realized every precaution i took was ripped out in favor of doing it EXACTLY AS THE PATTERN SAID I SHOULD IN THE FIRST PLACE.

let's also not talk about my choice of fabric. can someone please keep me away from the jersey aisle at mood? maybe joshua should take that detail. he actually forbade me to buy this yardage, would not take it to the cutting table until we found something for ruggy! THE NERVE.

don't get me wrong, i obviously love me some stretch, but when i was handed this golden ticket, i decided i was going to play with ALL THE FABRICS. dive into some fascinating stranger every month, learn about new materials...but this marks my second jaunt with a novelty wooly stretch, and truth be told, there's one more jersey knit a'comin. (joshua found two bolts of shirting for ruggy, so obviously i walked away even steven.) but then! no mas, peeps! it's time for some boucle and washed silk and cotton voile and guipere lace...


i am literally. starting to salivate.

i also think this pattern cries for a sturdier fabric. so do the lovely ladies at BHL. read the envelope much, oona? this pleated skirt asks for something more substantial to create that lovely tulip shape. my first attempt at a fix for this was to serge all the edges of the pleats and the side seams of the skirt...on the outside. three passes for each edge, to be exact. i thought i could make the fabric stand up by sheer force of thread. i could not. see that chartreuse edging on the neck and sleeves? that's all thread, and the only bits that survived the attack of my seam ripper.

after that botched experiment, i hacked off about twelve inches of length, hoping for an intentional look rather than a droopy hang, and i almost succeeded. wouldn't quite call it a cigar... maybe a cigarillo. i'm going to chalk this one up to a learning experience, and a total V-8 smack by By Hand London. you will see the elisalex dress again...


but not until next year. the happiest of holidays to you and yours. may you be well, warm, and bright.

this dress was made using my monthly fabric "allowance" as part of the Mood Sewing Network. questionable fabric choice! the pattern was gifted to me by BHL. unquestionably good!

42 comments:

  1. Oh foxy you.. I would never say u had issues.. I need a sexy version like yours

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    1. i think everything you wear is, by default, a sexy version, you hot thang.

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  2. While the process may not have been fun, this dress is hotttttt on you.

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  3. I love this dress! The shape, the colors are all just lovely!

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  4. oh i adore the shape of this dress! will have to book mark this pattern for later. that fabric looks sooo amazing, too bad it didn't quite work out the way you wanted. but from here, you still look smashing!

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    1. thanks lisa! it really is a breeze of a pattern, if you simply do it the way it asks :). my second dress took two hours!

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    2. Second dress? Already?! You can sew quite speedily, lady!

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  5. That fabric with that pattern with you- perfect!

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  6. This fabric is just gorgeous Oona! I may have to take a trip across town to Mood and spend some big bucks there.

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    1. this one won't even set you back that much... 14 a yard. considering the hundred dollar yarders in the world :)

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  7. Poor, Oona!!! I think you managed to wrestle the dress into submission despite all of your obstacles. At any rate, the tush and stems are working in it ;0)

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    1. you slay me. my stems thank you and my tush gives you a booty bump.

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  8. You would never know you had issues. The length looks fantastic on you.

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    1. i think it was lucky that i had to take so much length off :). hope i can say the same after the holidays...

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  9. Ok, you convinced me, I'll buy the pattern! Wow, way to twist my arm...

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  10. I seriously love this. It's absolutely gorgeous. Totally drool-worthy!

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  11. you look beautiful and i love ur blogue

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  12. meow.. your new dress is fab, sister hottie oona.. and i'm mad about this fabric, colors are gorgeous

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    1. thankya sis, and the fabric is sooooffffft too, perfect for getting drunk on new years then falling straight to sleep....

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  13. As usual, you look fantastic! We would never know you had trouble if you hadn't told us! Merry merry to you and yours!

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    1. well thank you! and a very merry to you and your peeps as well :))

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  14. Gorgeous, gorgeous fabric and a nice-looking dress, so I hope you get some wear out of it. The low scoop back is one of my favorite features on this pattern.

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  15. It came out PERFECT!!!!! Shorter length is good on you I reckon, and it fits ya like a sexy glove.

    Happy Christmas to you and Ruggy and one and all in Kalkatroona.

    See ya next year ;o)

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    1. happy merry to you and simon and sis and all your peeps, my friend!

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  16. happy merry to you and simon and sis and all your peeps, my friend!

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  17. I love it! That orange belt is perfect for it.

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  18. Gah! Could this fabric be any more epic?! Love it! Great to see another version of this dress- I have the pattern ready to go for January sewing. I rather like it in the shorter length, I must admit :)

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  19. It's so FANTASTIC! Words could not do it justice. I adore the fabric, and the style is just perfection! LOVE LOVE LOVE that you paired it with that bit of orange - you just rock orange! Well done, my friend!!

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  20. So fun! I just listened to Christine's podcast and could hear you in the background thinking about a jersey shirt. Now I know why ;). You're in a jersey mood, pattern be damned! It was like being in Mood with you guys!

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  21. Fabulous dress, must look them up!

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  22. Holy FUCK how did I miss this post???!!!!! I WANT TO PRINT OFF YOUR SEXY RED BOLD PRINT AND STICK THAT SHIT IN MY HOUSE. In fact, I might just look into getting it made into a bumper sticker. Also, we so need to feature your sexy self on the By Hand Blog - can I email you over some questions and get some of your high res images pretty please???

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i thankya truly for taking the time to comment, i love a good conversation-- and hope you know my thanks are always implied, if not always written!