Behind the Seams: “The Blue Garden” Frock

Whilst discussing the themes for TSW Challenge, the five of us soon realized that we all have some blue floral fabric in our stash. That’s how this week’s theme ended up as ‘Something floral, something blue’! My TSW post can be found here.

“The Blue Garden” Frock was made in a baby blue floral cotton lawn I bought from Chinatown. I was drawn to how sweet and vintage inspired the fabric looked. However, compared to the Liberty tana lawn or the Alexander Henry cotton lawn I have recently used here and here, the fabric was a disappointment. It crinkles at lightning speed!

This dress was inspired by Grosgrain’s “Summer at the Country House Frock” which I have been eyeing since last August and based on the burdastyle Wiesn Dirndl sewing pattern.

Photo Gallery

The Outdoor photoshoot

It’s strange and funny at the same time but the sun is always playing hide and seek with me. I took my camera and tripod downstairs when I saw the sunny sky from my bedroom window but once I was downstairs, it became cloudy and only after I have gotten home and started downloading the images on my macbook that it became sunny again. I was very self-conscious during the session as I bumped into two estate gardeners and two neighbors who were all wondering what I was up to. Some crazy woman taking shots of herself in her own estate! Oh gosh! Oh gosh!

Taking photographs of the garments I have made is quick and easy in front of my bathroom mirror but a totally different ball game outdoors. I hope I will get better at it and become less self-conscious. That will certainly take time… Nonetheless, I am thankful that it’s finally sunny again. Spring is coming and I am hoping for clearer skies and hopefully clearer photos too!

Piping made easy

I took the opportunity to snap some photos of how I sewed the piping using what I think is the quickest and easiest way to get them done. Off course I have no idea if it is the best method but here goes:

Step 1: Using an erasable fabric marker, mark the seam allowance on the right side of fabric where you intend to place the piping.

Step 2: Pin the piping onto the fabric with the piping being placed just above the markings.

Step 3: Baste the piping onto the fabric

Step 4: Place the fabrics together right sides facing. Using the baste line as a guide, stitch over the baste line.

Step 5: Iron the seams. It’s done!

Have a lovely weekend! I hope the weather is good at your end of the world!