GBSB Wrap Dress

So this is the second time I've taken these blog photos, can we just appreciate how awful winter is for blog photography? Anyway the plan was to take them in the garden but then lo and behold its starts to rain! So here I am stood against my kitchen door, because apart from the bathroom this is the room with the best light. Actually the light in the bathroom is better but I didn't think you'd all appreciate pictures with my lavvy in. 

Anyway this is the wrap dress from the second great british sewing book. Now because it comes in a pattern pack you do have to trace it so lets all just take a minute to feel thoroughly sorry for poor Frankie having to trace the pieces. That said tracing aside its actually a bit of a whizz to put together.

Its a basic wrap style dress that's made in a knit with medium stretch I got mine from Abakhans and I think its a stretch spandex? Its got a really awesome print on it though which did take a bit of concentration for pattern matching, the skirt and the bodice are individually pattern matched so I'm pretty pleased with that effort. Its pretty tough with this sort of dress because if you do get the wrong print you can end up looking like you've stepped out of your house wearing a dressing gown. Mainly when shopping for this fabric I knew I wanted something that was "DVF" inspired! 

I also had to be careful cutting out so that I didn't stretch the fabric, FYI if your cutting a knit fabric make sure the whole fabric piece is flat [like on the floor] If you cut with it hanging off a table your likely the over stretch the fabric and make your pattern pieces too short. And I just cut it out using my regular scissors, I could have gone for the rotary cutter option but my blades a bit dull and the idea of having to faff about with the matt made me want to cry.

I used my over locker for the majority of the construction and used the instructions as more of a guide than the gospel. For example I set my sleeves in flat just because its far easier to do it like that on an over locker. I used my regular machine with a twin needle for all the top stitching. I'm actually a bit gutted that the black stripe across the back doesn't follow on into the sleeves. But I don't think its super noticeable. 

The pattern also calls for 2.5m of stretch binding, Which naturally I ignored because OMG who has the time for 2.5m of stretch binding? Instead I just finished all the edges on my overlocker, folded them over and top stitched. It looks okay So I'm not sure why the pattern calls for binding? I did wonder if its to minimise stretch but I've had it on all day and so far there's no gaping.

So all in all I'm calling it a grand success, its a pretty quick make and the pattern is kind of spot on [it always really surprises me when the GBSB patterns come up good]. Its really comfy and I love that its an outfit that doesn't require too much effort. That said it is a bit busty as in I think its kind of low cut and you do have to have a seamless bra on underneath because it clings. 

In fact I like it so much I'm already planning another one in a stretch velvet! Because OMGOSH how lush would that be? 

So yeah In other new Its very nearly Christmas!!! I'm super excited I just hope we manage to get everything done in time! We've already had to write up a schedule for the next few days because lots of people want to see lil man and without the schedule all hell breaks loose!

Merry Christmas!!!

Frankie 

xxx