Monday, August 26, 2013

Pattern Tour: Hanami Dress By Straight Grain

Hey!


Thanks for stopping by to check out the new dress pattern created by Straight Grain.






I was extremely excited when I learned I would pattern test this beauty& there are so many options! 

Mix& Match patterns are awesome because I can make completely different looking dresses without buying more patterns. (You're welcome hubby)


When asked initially "what version will you make?" 
I chose the dress, with peter pan collar, a zipper back, and petal sleeves. 


Here it is!






I loved the bold color of this blue cotton& chose to embroider a few butterflies on to give cohesion between it& the vintage brown floral cotton used for the contrast. 







I will admit this first dress had it's challenges. 
An (the lady behind straight grain) did a really good job walking you through some of the lesser known details ... like proper collar overlap, and how to sew in an invisible zipper ... so take your time and really utilize those photo instructions. 






See my "not so invisible" zipper? 
I was inexperienced with the invisible zipper and like many first time magicians, mine chose not to disappear. 

Overall, it's still a lovely dress, but it just didn't feel finished. Especially not after seeing the improved pattern/instructions & the creations each tester had made with it.

I had to do it...


Hanami #2. 




The second time I decided to use an Echino cotton fabric with a gorgeous print. 
I won this fabric during Alida Makes series "Calling all Kids" and have held onto it for quite some time waiting for the right project. 

Look at that zipper. 

"What zipper?" you may ask yourself....

HUZzAH! I have made it disappear! 






This top went by quick and turned out really nice. 
I left off the collar, used the flutter sleeves, and of course the shorter flounce (bottom portion). 







Lily seemed pleased& ready to put it on the morning after I finished it. 





Aren't the birds in this fabric great? 

They remind me of my grandmother who kept binoculars in her house as I was growing up "to watch the birds." 

I bet that's also why she listened to the police scanner. 





Thanks again to An of Straight Grain for allowing me to test. 

Head over to An's shop where the Hanami is for sale!



and have a lovely day! 

16 comments:

  1. I love that blue butterfly one! Absolutely GORGEOUS!

    ReplyDelete
  2. i really like the vintage-touch of the blue dress. And the fabric you used for the top is abolutely gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this dress will look good in ANY fabric! Thanks for coming by to check them out.

      Mae

      Delete
  3. The are both lovely. The echino fabric is really nice fot the top, good choice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I am also really in love with the Echino. Actually, making this got me antsy to jump online and fine more. ::sigh:: It's hoarding at it's finest!


      Mae

      Delete
  4. Love the butterflies on the dress! Nobody would notice the zipper. The top came out perfect. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Olga, I actually thought the first one was pretty awesome. Then zipper #2 was like "WOW! I figured it out!" I am just glad that I finally understand how to pull that zipper back to get it *just right* ! It feels so good when I learn something new!


      Mae

      Delete
  5. I love the bird fabric. And congrats on making that zipper disappear! I still live in fear of zippers. I do everything with buttons. Fantastic job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OH NO! I wish all of the sewing community lived in Des moines, you would be AMAZED at how simple zippers are& i'd be telling you to come put one in with me! They make buttons feel like caveman tools once you've done a few.


      Mae

      Delete
  6. Ah that's lovely! (I like your first version too though! I made the Tinny dress twice, and only made the zip disappear on the second go)
    And I love the Echino fabric - I've been eying it online, and it's lovely to see it sewn up. And... for some crazy reason, I'm giving away another lovely Echino bird-print fabric over at as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk if you'd like to take a look!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had to jump in on the giveaway (and follow your blog too)! Thanks for coming over to check out my garments& especially linking up!

      Mae

      Delete
  7. Those butterflies are soooo cute! I really like the blue dress.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, i was realy sad when I realized I had gone down too many sizes & it would not fit my girl. BUT she was very pleased with her top as you can tell.


      Mae

      Delete
  8. Both versions are gorgeous, but the Echino one is my favorite. Great colors, and great job on the zipper :-)
    Thank you for all your help and suggestions, they really helped me improve the pattern!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much An! I was so pleased to have had the chance to test for you and this pattern totally rocks. <3 I can't wait to dream up more amazing pieces with it.



      Mae

      Delete

I appreciate and read each and every comment... thank you!