Sunday, April 21, 2013

Laurel details

What I didn't tell you in my last post, in which I sneak peeked my in-progress Colette Laurel dress, is that it was already finished when I posted that! Oh, and that I was also already feverishly stitching up a second version.

I'm obsessed with trying out every possible version and variation of this dress that I can think up.

Version 1 - the linen mini with flappy pockets - (better photos of me wearing it to come in a future post)







I decided to use a grey linen I'd had in my fabric stash for a long time. I'd bought it back when I worked in an officey-office requiring business casual attire, and had planned to make a jacket out of it...but never did. I'm super hyped about that because I love this fabric for this dress. It's light and crisp and bouncy and soft and nice, all at the same time!




Disregard the lame, cluttered background.



The bias tape and pink loopy trim were both from my stash as well. I had just enough of the pink trim to use along the neckline, so that was nice! Overall, I really loved making this dress. Applying bias binding is super satisfying to me, and as I just mentioned, I'm in love with the linen fabric I used, too. I was even able to omit the back zipper, which literally made me giddy. The dress just slips on over my head easily - YES!

The aspect of making this dress that I did end up throwing a tiny temper tantrum about? The sleeves. I really just hate setting in sleeves. I was all pumped up to try this method I read about on KestrelMakes. When I actually attempted it, though, the gathering just wasn't happening. I un-picked and tried again with literally the same result. Ugh. I didn't want to lose my momentum and become discouraged, so I just went for my little cheat-pleats I've used on set-in sleeves before. Am I the only person out there who just can't bring herself to use gathering stitches and go the traditional route to set-in a regular sleeve?









The mediocre sleeve result is all balanced out by my fantastic pockets with bias bound flaps. They are in no way perfect, but they were so fun to make and I think they turned out pretty cute! I'm ready to add them to any and every project from now on - I'm hooked!




Wonky stitches but I don't even care! I'm in love with pockets.



In finishing up the dress, I chopped off quite a bit of the overall length, and have now ended up making it just slightly too mini to wear to work without tights. I think the shorter length is ok because the longer sleeve length helps balance out the look. I'll make sure my next version as at least a tiny bit longer than this one, though. :)








And, you heard (err... read) right: I'm already working on my second version of the Laurel dress. It's great for stash-busting and it works well with plain or busy fabrics. My next version will definitely be a bit more...vibrant. Here's a peek:





20 comments:

  1. Love this! Gray is my all time favorite - lol :) I actually really like your "cheat pleats" on the sleeves - I think it looks more classy than just plain old gathers :) Can't wait to see your next laurel!

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  2. What clutter? That ain't nothin' compared to my house! (lol)
    I love the pink with the gray linen. Such a great accent. I look forward to seeing your bright version of the Laurel pattern, too.

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  3. Lookin' good! I've always loved gray with a bright accent, so fresh. I must admit though, when I first you saying "mini" Laurel, my first thought was a tiny version of the dress, lol! I was wondering why you would do that, ha!
    Seriously loving the fabric on your next version, can't wait to see that!!

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  4. Really nice dress, love the pink as a design feature.

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  5. Pink and grey! *swoon( That detailing really makes this pop!

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  6. lovely! can't wait to see the bright one too!

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  7. Oh I adore the grey and pink together. So pretty. I hate setting in sleeves. I've done the "cheat pleat" far too many times.

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  8. I HATE SETTING IN SLEEVES TOO!!!!!!

    Your dress is so beautiful and it's inspiring me to get started on mine!

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  9. I am so with you on hating setting in sleeves! So many of my projects get stalled at that stage because I just hate it so much. I'm going to have to steal that pleat idea!

    Grey + pink = winning combo. Great job!

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  10. I lurve your pockets!!! If I made up this pattern I'd make it super short too - just like you said, it balances out the sleeve length so nicely. I actually really like your sleeve cap pleats - they're a lovely little detail. Looking forward to seeing this on!

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  11. I, too, hate setting in sleeves. The gathering and smoothing method just doesn't seem to work. I like your method and think the dress turned out darling.

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  12. The linen version looks perfect for spring/early summer! Just love linen... The pockets with the contrast bias really brings the look together, a stroke of genious =)
    Looking forward to seeing the floral version as well! Happy sewing =)

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  13. Gorgeous! I love this linen-- it's really beautiful!

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  14. I actually had trouble with the sleeves on this, too! It's not just you, I promise! Your version came out really pretty, though. I love this pink and grey combo.

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  15. Never thought of cheat pleats, but what a great solution! In my youth I had no patience for the double-row-gathering either. Eventually I came to enjoy setting in sleeves that way and for me the key was taking my time, good light, and a gazillion straight pins (sometimes sewn over at my peril, don't recommend!).

    Love that pretty floral with the green binding!

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  16. I think the cheat pleats are cute and I love the pink and grey together. What a cute trim! :D The whole dress is just really sweet. Well done!:)

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  17. I love this this so much. The simplicity of the grey with with pink trim around the neck and putting the bias around pockets. Your dress is a classic!

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  18. I love this dress!! The fabric looks lovely and the pink trim is so pretty. I like the cheat pleat sleeves too. The next one looks like it's going to be great too!

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