So for my latest White Tree Blogging Team project I picked the Tilly and the Buttons Bettine Dress, I was looking for a dress that was pretty but also practical, as a mum of a two year old its so easy to just grab the pair of old faithful jeans that don't mind the general punishment that clothes go through while chasing, crawling, and rolling about with a toddler. So when I saw this pattern it seemed like it might cope with these criteria while giving the illusion of being a "yummy mummy" (strong emphasis an illusion!)
I then had to decide on what fabric to use, never a easy decision, quiet often I'll loose hours looking at fabric online or in fabric shops I'm sure its a form of time travel! I had originally looked at a Art Gallery fabric but it was out of stock, so I thought I'd be brave and go for the Liberty fabric Poppyseed Dreams. There's something weirdly scary about cutting into fabric that's too beautiful but I thought I'd kick myself if I didn't get it!
When it arrived the fear had well and truly set in, there was no way I was going to cut into this fabric with out being 100% prepared so decided to make a wearable toile. I don't have enough time to sew in general so I only sew things that I'll actually be able to wear after so when I toile I'll use cheaper fabric I'm not going to cry about if it goes wrong. For this wearable toile I found some fabric I had in my stash.
It was such a lovely pattern to sew the instructions were really clear and I loved the little photos that run along side, I usually just read through patterns and think well that's over complicated things (usually with commercial patterns) but with this it was a really enjoyable to read through the instructions. The pattern also has no fastenings and the option of omitting the pockets so a great one for beginners!
After I'd finished my toile (which I'm constantly wearing its so comfortable!) I felt brave enough to cut and sew up the Liberty fabric. Thankfully everything went with out a hitch. I'm so glad I'd made a toile first it gave me a lot of confidence.
I'm so pleased with the finished dress. I think it may be my new favorite garment in my wardrobe!
I'm so glad I took the time to change the threads on my overlocker and topped stitched in red. Even though I'm probably the only one who will notice I think such lovely fabric needed an extra bit of love while sewing up.
And this is me in my Liberty Bettine Dress as you can probably tell I'm a little bit in love with it! Looks and feels great, SO comfortable to wear and defiantly toddler proof!
I hope you've enjoyed this post.
If you fancy your own sewing challenge, here's a little something for you.20% off and free P&P when you order from www.whitetreefabrics.comJust enter the code SIY challenge
Happy Sewing
x
Looks absolutely fab, Bridie x
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