If this one looks strangely familiar to you all, it is because it is. It’s the second version of my last make from Serendipity Studios and it’s another Madeline dress. I made it a bit differently this time, with that exposed zip I oh so love, and I went ahead and added a little contrasting hem band to it. I can’t say yet if I like it any more than the other, but I don’t like it any less.
I did everything the same with this one except for adding that exposed zipper. I still need my hand held while doing this specific kind of zipper, so I had to watch the video tutorial as I went. Those who don’t remember, I went with this one from Professor Pin Cushion. I did have to redo it a couple of times. Once because the back part of the center band was not lined up properly, and even though it was only slightly off and I would never see it except when hanging it up or ironing it, I knew it would drive me crazy knowing it was that way. Then, because of the exposed zipper, I ended up with my seam allowance a little bit snugger than I would like. I measured this beforehand, like the video says, but the fit was a little affected. I fixed this by sewing the zipper to be as exposed as possible and that extra bit of room made all the difference.
This was pre-zipper let out, and you can see a little bit the wrinkling under the right arm. The dress feels better on now, and I am hoping the wrinkling isn’t as bad anymore. Now, about the fabric. After my last make, I had to stop by a local quilt shop a couple of weeks ago to see if there was anything new. This particular place, Sew Many Ideas, stocks some very original and high quality fabrics. It has been awhile since I have left that store empty handed. I like also how everything is arranged in color coordinated displays. It makes it very easy to pick out some matching pieces. I say ‘matching’ like I know what I am talking about. The two fabrics that I used looked wonderful together side by side in the store, but I was doubting my decision once I washed them and had them stacked on top of each other. The contrast is a bit brighter than it looked, and I was kind of surprised by how my zipper matched the main fabric better than the other orange. I picked the zipper out at a different place with no fabric sample in hand.
The fabric is called ‘for you Zen Chic’ by Brigitte Heitland for Moda. I googled it, and found several from her collection that I love.
Overall, I think the colors blend well together – at least I am telling myself they do – and I am happy with how it came out. Oh, yes, I did make a hem band to add a little to the contrast. The pattern has instructions for this, I just made mine a little smaller than the recommendations. And the name for my dress came from the fact that I had old I Love Lucy reruns playing in the background as I made it. It used to be one of my favorite TV shows back in high school, and I recently found it available on Amazon. I guess the splash of orange helps make ‘Lucy’ an appropriate name as well.
And that is all I have to say about this one. I have sewing on my mind, but also wine making. My free time this week is going to be shared between the sewing machine and the computer as I am looking for more wine making supplies. Until next time… Thanks for reading!
Your dress looks great. I think the colors blend very well together.
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Thank you! I am glad to hear that you think they do. I was a little worried about the two shades of orange. 🙂
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I love the way you blocked this dress. And the exposed zip adds even more interest. It’s very well-balanced.
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Thanks, Joanne! ‘Well-balanced’ is just what I was hoping for, I just hadn’t thought of that term – It’s perfect!
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