Friday, July 24, 2015

The Forest for the Trees... with New Look 6262




I finished one more item from my summer dress queue before I headed off for a week's holiday at my parents' place -- I was really pushing it as I wanted to wear this tree covered print when I was in the mountains, surrounded by trees! Well, sort of, anyhow...I'm lucky enough to have parents who live in the beautiful Alberta foothills, so was able to wear this new dress on a day trip to Canmore and Banff. My sister kindly took some photos while we were in Canmore.


It's a super fun place to visit; many of these photos were taken in the front yard of O Canada Soap Works, where there is apparently a resident ghost. I don't think Frank was up for photos that day though, as he never made himself known. Fortunately there was a lot of soap, so we did leave with something interesting after all ;)


As to the dress itself. I used New Look 6262, a dress I have been intending to try for at least a year now. When I saw this wonderful print, in sheet form at the Goodwill, I knew exactly what it would become. Usually I'll only buy sheets or thrifted fabric made of primarily natural fabrics -- but even though this is mostly polyester I couldn't resist the print. I knew I'd love it in dress form, and I had the perfect earrings for it too.

Earrings made from caribou antler - they are many years old
I hesitated a little before starting to sew, as I'd made a few extra bodice adjustments, trying to get the fit down. I knew I'd have to take it in at the neckline, but didn't want to just take a wedge out at the centre front fold in case it unbalanced the even print. I found a tutorial to adjust the neckline gaping from an Anna dress, using an angled dart in the flat pattern. So I tried that, back and front, and it worked perfectly. The neckline sits so nicely, no gaping and yet it is not at all restrictive (I wasn't too worried about it not working, as there was so much extra fabric left to try again with -- the good thing about even a twin sheet -- lots of room for error!)

Nice flat front neckline

Back - top of zip a bit wonky but otherwise fits!

I also shortened the bodice slightly, but aside from those two things I really didn't make any other alterations. It was an easy sew. I like the fit a lot, and the way that the gathered skirt isn't TOO gathered; it looks pretty but doesn't add on 10 extra pounds around the hips and butt. Luckily for me, I found that even with the polyester content it doesn't get very static-y, so it is very wearable.


I even wore it again the first day back after my holiday and got some pictures here around home, on a sunny evening. I was visiting an outdoor labyrinth that I love and got some nice photos in that peaceful place (it's open to the public if you are ever nearby -- just drop in and explore it).



One small thing though, I do find that it pulls a bit to the back after a while and I have to readjust the shoulders. Can anyone tell me what might be causing that? Is it a forward shoulder issue? Bodice length? I am not sure what to adjust the next time I make it. And I do want to make it again because it's quick and straightforward and so comfy to wear. Plus, pockets! Yes, even though the pattern is pocketless I added side seam pockets. In a full skirt like this there's no reason not to -- I used the pocket piece from Simplicity 1419 which I made quite recently and it was perfect. I'll trace it and add it to this pattern envelope so that I have it when I make this again :)

I bought my copy of this pattern fairly recently -- about a year ago, or two -- whenever Simplicity/New Look decided to leave off selling in Canada and I bought out my local store... so any of the pattern misprint issues that were mentioned by some reviewers at PatternReview were not an issue with mine.You might want to look at yours and premeasure the bodice pieces just to be sure, though, if you do try it.

I'm pleased with this casual summer dress - now to get busy on the next few makes in the summer dress lineup - before summer ends!

12 comments:

  1. I love the idea of your tree print dress and tree earrings in such a tree-y place. Such fun and very inventive use of the sheet. Your parents live in a beautiful area too. I really like the dress on you too. I have made a couple of these for my daughter who is much taller than me. the only thing I have to watch is the skirt length which can be a bit short on her. Regards Trish S

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    1. Thank you Trish! Yes, it's a beautiful place to vacation in :)

      I never thought to mention the skirt length -- yes, it was ideal for me in the pattern length, I didn't have to shorten it as I always do...because I'm only 5"2. Something to watch for if you are not as short as me!

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  2. Your dress looks wonderful! You state you live in southern Ontario, forgive me for being totally direction challenged, but I live near Detroit, are you near Windsor?

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    1. Thanks! Well, I live closer to Windsor than, say, my parents ;) I'm a couple of hours away.

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  3. Eeek! You make such lovely dresses and have the most perfect fabric! The styling is just so spot on.

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    1. Thank you! I am just loving the summer dress this year. I have about 8 more stacked up and ready to cut...I think summer will end before my queue does...

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  4. A very pretty dress. Not sure what is causing the problem, I usually have to look and tweak with the real thing.

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    1. Could be just the shiftiness of the fabric, too, I suppose! In any case, I do like this dress, and that's a minor fitting thing overall.

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  5. Another lovely summer dress. The earrings match very well.

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    1. Don't they? It is always fun when I realize that old and new will match perfectly :)

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  6. Pretty dress and fabric print! Love the matching earring as well :)

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    1. Thanks - I always knew they'd match with something someday!

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Share your comments, ideas or suggestions here -- I am always interested in hearing from readers. It's nice to have a conversation!