A fishy tale

About a year ago I was gifted some amazing fabric from sewing pal Anna, better known as Blogless Anna.  She parcelled me up 2 metres of this glorious fishy fabric and sent it interstate.

It’s nothing if not very generous, especially as we had never met at this point.  Are sewing pals really this lovely?  Well, as the years have gone by and I have met more and more of the sewing crew, the answer is YES!  I feel lucky to be part of such a community.

Anna’s makes are a thing of beauty, A Tessuti Mandy Boat Tee and a Pattern Fantastique Aeolian Tee.  I would have happily sewn up the Aeolian, it’s a raglan sleeve and the right shape for me but then Tessuti hit us with the Frankie dress in August and I was sold!

I loved the Frankie at first sight.  It is the perfect seasonal dress for the Sydney climate.  It has an option for a top, short or long length dress.  It has 4 sleeve lengths too.  It also starts in a small size and it is made for people who like to hide that tum!  It has volume in the right place without making you look pregnant.  That’s a very special thing.

I loved this dress made but the Tessuti girls, this candy striped, short dress with the elbow length sleeves is rockin’.

Image from Tessuti Fabric website

I am a toile convert, I don’t make anything unless it’s been toiled first. I found some revolting yellow knit in my stash (even the bravest of brave wouldn’t be seen dead in it) and toiled away.  I graded an extra small for the top to a small around the waist and hips.  I probably should have just cut a straight small, if truth be told, as I think that would have been perfect.

It’s a very quick and easy sew. The fishy fabric is a very good quality stretch, it has some weight.  I was rather worried about how the back facing would sit as you have to stitch it in place after inserting jelly tape and under stitching.  I was worried I was overworking the fabric and it would stretch but no, it sits really well and I am happy with the final result.

I did the majority of it on the overlocker and even managed a neat and rather successful double row of hem stitching using my twin needle.  My machine is rather hit and miss when sewing these usually.

I think this would be a great pattern for a sewer who hasn’t much experience in stretch.  It’s a good starting point.  It also includes a couple of interesting techniques that could be used in future makes.

I know I will be living in this come summer.  It’s a perfect beach cover up as well as a great everyday dress.  I see many more of these in my life.  I am already cutting my next version as we speak.

So here it is and as my Mum would say, “we’ll see you coming in that!”

It was ‘crackin’ the flags’ today, so couldn’t resist an outing to the beach with the kids

Not a bad day to turn 43!