Anyway, a year or so ago a friend of a friend was looking to photograph 'girls with interesting clothes in interesting rooms', so I figured I could get away with wearing the much loved bird dress. Ali the photographer was quite delightful and I thought the resulting photo was lovely (despite being able to see my undies).
So when Q and I were out 'bamming' one day, and I spotted a cute floral print, I decided to re-make the bird dress. It's taken me a couple of months due to all the travelling and bamming and thesis writing I've been doing, but here is what happened. First up I used the original bird dress as a pattern and cut out a new version. I made sure I cut it quite a bit bigger but I could've strangled myself when I first tried it on and realised it was too tight. Again! Luckily I'd left a generous seam allowance.
Then I followed an excellent Invisible Zipper Tutorial, but was far too excited about my new invisible zipper foot to notice that I was using the wrong side of my fabric. Sigh. After much unpicking and re-sewing I finally had a mostly finished dress.
But then I couldn't quite figure out what to do with the neckline or sleeves. It was only after looking through some vintage dresses on Etsy that I realised I wanted a vintage style flutter sleeve. Luckily I found an old Butterick pattern in my stash with the exact sleeve I was looking for.
I nearly sewed the sleeves on upside down, but realised just in time. They were very awkward to hem, but they sit ok. A bit more ‘capped’ than ‘flutter’ but I guess they'll pass. I was desperate to finish the dress for my new bands very first gig. But when it was finally all hemmed I tried it on and realised it just didn't sit right. Anyway, with a few mods and pin tucks and a wash and an iron I’m finally happy. It’s no butter yellow bird dress, but at least it’s a finished project. Unlike my thesis.
