Sunday, December 23, 2018

Bicolored Viscose Françoise Dress


 This is my second rendition of Tilly's pattern Françoise dress, which is awesome and very becoming in wool or winter fabrics. In this case, it is a viscose that combines black and white threads in an ear pattern that appears mottled grey. I used black silk to make the collar and the lining of the dress, as I did with the previous version. The feeling of silk touching the skin is wonderful. 


I like this pattern because it is becoming to my figure, being fitted around the bust and underbust area and with a flare beginning in the waist to the bottom of the dress. 

I followed the traditional method of marking the pattern pieces with tailor tucks, basting it, trying it on to fit it (no changes had to be made) and machine-stitching it. 


Then I constructed the collar in silk and thermofusible interlining and basted it to the right side of the dress. 
In the next stage, I marked the black silk lining with a tailor's chalk and directly stitched it with the machine, leaving one extra cm all around. I put then the lining over the dress on my dummy, right side over right side, and pin it around the neck. I stitched with the machine all the neckline, turn it towards the inside of the dress, and secured it in place with invisible hand stitches under the collar. 
 

I hand-sewed it along the invisible zip and around the sleeves' bottoms. I finished the lining's bottom hem with machine top-stitch along a self-encased turn. 



It is a wonderful dress and I plan to wear it in all my family reunions these holidays. 


I took these pictures after a whole morning working with kids in the winter festival, running up and down and sitting around. It felt as I wore nothing, comfortable and light, and I felt elegant and modern. I love it! I am afraid it is not going to be my last Françoise!

Saturday, December 22, 2018

The Anuual Corduroy Trousers for My Love

This is one of those not-so-flashy-but necessary projects. My mate wear these corduroy trousers in his job and one pair lasts for two or three seasons, depending on how good the corduroy is. 
Finding good quality corduroy is not an easy task these days. I have learnt to appreciate a good corduroy fabric looking at its wrong side: the threads have to appear tightly woven there. 
I found this corduroy in my trip to Sweden last summer: Stof & Still. It appears to be premium quality, but only time will confirm or deny it. 
Meanwhile, Karlos is really happy with his new pair of winter trousers.