Houndstooth and Distraction

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I have a new dress to add to my stack of Washington dress hacks! This time a mash up of the Washington Dress from Cashmerette for the bodice and sleeves, the Moneta from Colette for the neckline, and a self drafted half circle skirt.

My husband was out of town, so I had my enthusiastic four year old take photos for me. It’s something she loves to do. “Do a pose mommy!”

The dress overall turned out pretty great. I love the fit, but oh that pattern placement. As I was cutting the fabric the dog was walking back and forth over it and the four year old was standing over my shoulder asking me for snacks. I did great at placing the pattern for the sleeves and top, but the skirt is off. Dang! I totally forgot to make sure the center fronts lined up.

Hello photo bomber!

The fabric is Ann Kelle Remix Knit from Robert Kaufman. It is a 100% cotton interlock. I’ve used this fabric a few times before and this is the most success I’ve had. Why? Well I took a step away from my serger and made the entire dress on my regular machine using something like a baseball stitch. It has become my go-to stitch for knits since I don’t have the lightning bolt option.

I really wish I could fix the pattern placement. I suppose I could, but the fabric doesn’t take to seam ripping very well. I’d ended up having to cut all the pieces apart and deal with having the lengths of the skirt and bodice be too short. So I think I’ll just leave it and try to take the misplacement as a reminder to slow down when I’m cutting. At least the fabric only cost me about $9 at M & L Fabrics and about 2 hours of my time.

And here is what it looks like at the end of the day. Stretched out for sure, but a run through the dryer will tighten the fabric back up for the next outing. And I at least have one more nice heavy weight knit dress for winter!

21 thoughts on “Houndstooth and Distraction”

  2. Super dress, fab mash up and it looks great on. I shouldn’t worry about the skirt not lining up, it’s only us sewers that ever worry, shop brought clothes rarely line up in my experience.

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  4. Your dress looks great. I love houndstooth. I wouldn’t worry about the print not lining up exactly. The dress and pattern have lots of movement. No one’s eyes (except yours) will ever follow the check down from your bodice through the waist and then notice there’s a slight jag. Their eyes will be much too busy admiring the fab swishy skirt and adorable little blondie at your side. 🙂

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  5. I think we are far too hard on ourselves with pattern matching. I didn’t even notice until you pointed it out! I was just loving how great it looked on you and how perfect the print was. 🙂 Amazing mash up skills!

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  6. I didn’t notice the off-placement of the pieces either.

    I also wanted to say that I love the angle – the perspective of a four year old’s height made for a nice photo shoot – you should have her do your pictures more often.

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  7. The pattern not lining up adds a little interest, IMHO. You could add a belt, or a self-fabric sash or something, if it still bothers you…

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  8. Great pictures! Love how she had you doing poses 🙂 the whole thing is adorable! Your dress looks great, I am not an advanced sewer but I can’t even tell things are not matched up properly. And I want to say this in hopes of not sounding weird but you have a great figure. Very nice curves and the dresses you sew are always very flattering. Also, you have really nice legs, shapely calves 😉 I wish I had the time to sew more!!

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