A nautical New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day in Melbourne was warm, windy and overcast. The perfect day for some beach photos in St Kilda.
I’ve worn my first version of Simplicity 2472 several times… but it’s a little too short to be worn without opaques tights… not that that stopped me on Christmas Day! The things my poor extended family have to put up with!
For this version, I lengthened the dress (View A) by 2 inches to make it an every-day summer frock. I’m all ready for some more scorching summer weather Melbourne… bring it on!
Regular readers will know that one of my New Year themes was to sew my silk stash. This dress might have been sewn between Christmas and New Year, but I’m still chalking it up as points on the board; an early win!
The boat fabric… well it just makes me smile. I looked and looked at it on the roll in Tessuti (Melbourne) and by the time I decided it was for me… it was sold out. Luckily, a phone order to Chatswood and I was in boating business. I did have some ‘pressing’ issues with this fabric… which I cursed and cursed until I realised my new-ish iron was at fault and not the fabric. Sorry boats! I’m back using my old iron and will be getting the new one checked under warranty.
Now we haven’t talked about my scarf. Yes, that was made by me too! I’ve found that a hand-rolled hem on a piece of silk twill makes for a perfect scarf. This is scarf number two (see number one here) and I’m sure your not surprised to hear that fabric has already been purchased for scarf number three!
And to anyone who believes, after looking through the photos on this post, that there was no-one on St Kilda beach on News Year’s Day… they were wrong. One of Sharon’s secret powers is making it seem like there is NOT ANOTHER SOUL on a Blogless Anna photoshoot location. Below is the true story…
Pattern: Simplicity 2472 View A (OOP)
Size: 14
Fabric Dress: Silk crepe de chine from Tessuti
Fabric Dress: Silk twill from Tessuti
Alterations: Lengthened the dress by 2 inches
Accessories: Me-made silk scarf with a hand-stitched rolled hem and as-new second-hand Funkis shoes
Photo Location: St Kilda Beach
Love that boaty fabric! You can have your heat, but not next Saturday night or my curtain/coat/dress will kill me!
I agree that we can’t have you passing out with heat stroke… a mild evening would be perfect for all!
Gorgeous fabric such a nice dape … perfect dress for a beach day!
February is generally our hottest month, just when my girls go back to school, so I expect this is when this dress will come into it’s own.
This dress is just gorgeous and so is the scarf. I am a huge fan of scarves and I would love to try making my own. Thanks for the link to the tutorial. Do you use a square or a rectangular fabric piece for your scarves? Dimensions?
I’m a scarf lover too Jean Margaret. The scarf I made here is rectangle (which is my preference) and was cut out at 75cm x 75cm. I prefer the structure that silk twill brings to a scarf, but I’m sure it works is a lighter silk too. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Your ‘sew up the silk’ is going really well. Love this fabric ;o) I hear you about iron woes, my newish iron has been ‘leaking out it’s cry hole’ all the time. I think I should make a new year’s resolution to replace it!
It’s great fabric which can be showcased in a simple style. Although I won’t wish it upon any seamstress Colette, I’m please to hear that I’m not the only one with iron woes.
A very pretty dress – love the colour combination. It drapes beautifully.
Thanks Caroline. Crepe de chine does drape so beautifully.
I also have a stack of marinating silk that needs attention. The trouble is I don’t have any inspiration for silk fabric. Maybe I need to take your lead and finally just bite the bullet! I really like the simple style you have chosen and the boats are just perfect for a summer dress.
One good thing about silk Andrea is that it doesn’t take up much room in the stash! I hope you find some inspiration soon.
So beautiful and timeless. Just perfect!
Oh shucks. Thanks lovely lady.
I love that fabric! So fun and summery. And the scarf matches perfectly. Happy New Year! I can’t wait to see what else comes out of your silk stash.
Thanks Kat. Just washing some silk now for my Frocktails outfit… only a week to go!
Love it. But really that’s no surprise…
We both have the same great taste!