Okay so this has been finished for a little while but I have yet to post it. I know, I know, I’ve been very slack. I’ve had heaps going on in the background some I can share (keep reading) and some is a bit more personal but my good intentions are always there and I’m working really hard to be a bit more regular with my posts.

So this is my first Vogue V1179 (I say first because I already have fabric for my next one!):

Sorry about the facials, Mr MyMuddlings must have caught me whilst talking!

I’m sure you’ve all heard how comfy this dress is? There a so many all over the interwebs. I discovered this pattern while reading Karen’s blog. I think she’s made three now?

Anyhoo, I cut a straight size 20 with no alterations. I used a combed cotton jersey I purchased from Spotlight. This stuff ain’t cheap! I was surprised that most of the jerseys (100% cotton ones anyway) were all above the AU$15/m mark! I see the prices some of you guys pay o/s (like in London at the Walthamstow Market & Goldhawk Road! SO CHEAP!) and wonder why we don’t have those type of prices in Oz. I needed 3 metres of this stuff to complete the dress. I originally purchased 2.5 metres and found it wasn’t enough so I had to go back and buy more. Grrr. Thankfully they still had the end of my same bolt there so I purchased the lot. Looks like a Renfrew tee is in my future for summer!

I didn’t have any clear elastic so I just used twill tape to stabilise the shoulder and the selvedge of the fabric to bind the armholes. I used my new Singer 160 with a straight stretch stitch to construct and then my overlocker to finished the seams. I didn’t have a twin needle so I just used the same straight stretch stitch to hem the dress. Although I’ve read the armholes can be a bit high for some people, I don’t find them to be a problem.

The one thing I do have to rant about with this pattern is all those bloggers (Karen included!) that say this dress is quick to make. I don’t know how!!! Maybe it’s just my inexperience but from cutting to hemming (I’d traced the pattern a previous day and also pinned the fabric to keep it on grain) it took me about 8 hours to make. Plus pinning 3 metres of fabric (AGES!!!) = a very LONG make! Although, I suppose only two days worth of work. But not the one evening’s work, in-between cooking, getting kids to bed etc that others made theirs in. Ah well, I’m pleased with my effort and even more pleased with my comfy, cozy dress! Despite the work, I’m looking forward to making my second one out of the navy jersey I picked up also at Spotlight when they had their big sale a week or so ago for only AU$6/m. Although, I think I’ll make a size smaller next time.

So now to some background stuff.

You might have noticed that my blog is now a .com address! I’ve purchased my domain so I am now http://www.mymuddlings.com! 🙂 Yay! This is one of my first steps to building my blog and following my passion. PLUS, I have created my business card for my new Etsy store! I’m soon to pull back from my day job and spend more time focusing on all my handmade items. I’ve had so many people (both friends and strangers) see my stuff and tell me I should sell it and that they would buy it. I’m also looking into cottage industry licences to use other people’s patterns and beginning to design my own patterns and adapt ideas I’ve gathered from all over the internet. I’m starting small with bags and stuff first and hope to move onto designing my own clothes and hopefully selling them. It’s all very much in it’s infancy right now but the idea is there and it’s building everyday with new ideas. Nothing is in my store yet, but rest assured I will let you know when it is. Wish me luck!

P.S. Anyone in Adelaide know anywhere to get good, cheap-ish fabric? I’ll love you forever! 😉