I present to you - Anna dress, By Hand London

Hello everyone,

Sorry I've been gone a couple weeks... thought I might get my Victoria Blazer finished to show you last weekend but there were some unforeseen cock-up circumstances, and I had to run to a barbeque...

Therefore... no blazer

That being said, it has been finished, and will be along (and explained!) very shortly in blog form!

This evening however, I'm gonna show you my new Anna dress - and I really love it. 

I wasn't expecting to love it this much... I have always loved bodices with kimono sleeves so I knew that would be perfect (and aren't the bodice pleats beautiful?), but I was very tempted to put the bodice with a fuller skirt. I felt that, for at least its first incarnation, I should stay true to the pattern and bring it to life as it was dreamed.

And until I tried it on, and saw these photos, I wasn't convinced.... But now I'm hooked.

I'm so proud of it!

I started tracing it during last week, and took it slow, but it came together so fast, it was a pleasure to sew.

A very satisfying make.

I was torn between a fitted 38" bodice and a roomy 40" bodice, so I traced off both, and overlayed to see where the grading was. I went smack bang between the two, (keeping the smaller waist) and it has turned out really comfy. No FBA, no nothing. (add: I did cut the skirt panels longer than the midi length)

I was seriously concerned that the waist was going to be too small about halfway through sewing it up, but clearly I had nothing to worry about.

I was a bit scared that I would mix up the skirt pieces and sew the wrong ones together (as there are 7 pieces!) so I took it slowly, and did the front pieces first, and then the back. The notches did help, but I am wont to forget about these helpful hints sometimes.

I didn't line the dress, as the pattern intended. With the current heat, I thought it would be nice to have something lighter! 

I finished the neckline with the facings included. I tried to get away without topstitching the neckline, to keep it clean, but I think I will go back and topstitch it later as it keeps trying to peek out!

I pinked all the seams, as I felt it would be nice for a change. It all feels nice and soft against my skin, and nice and light for this weather!

The floral cotton is very light. It was purchased on Goldhawk Road back in April.

 I was worried about what fabric to use - with all the skirt panels, I didn't want it to look all funny directionally (depending on the pattern of the fabric), but this floral doesn't even show them very much!

Or is it my excellent pattern matching? 

(nah)

Happy Happy!! Can't wait to try it with a fuller skirt soon :)

Emmie 

xx