Category: #thelittlereddressproject

Sewing: That Little Red Dress

Published on by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

img_0420-1

With the run up to Christmas and so little time to do any sewing, I’ve not managed to even start on this dress.  I’m sorry.  I am quite disappointed.

I am intending to make it for my birthday night out, which is at the end of January.  There should be more than enough time to do it for then.  I have all the materials and decided on the pattern finally.  I know, It’s like a month behind but better late than never!

All the dress reveals have been amazing.  I’ve been trying to keep up with all the blogs/vlogs and Instagram reveal as they are released but I’m sure I’ve missed a few!

2017 is going to be there my sewing room will be put to use.  I intend to also start a vlog and I’m looking into that as well.  So you know that the reveal of #thelittlereddress will probably be aired on youtube!  I’m super excited but also very nervous.

The Pattern

imgres

This is the final decision as I’ve been indecisive when it came to patterns before now.  This has been a firm favourite for a few weeks so it will be getting cut tonight (so no flippin changing my mind now!).

Because it’s labelled relaxed fit and I love the shoulder details, it’s “tea dress” skirt and the waistband (there are too many reasons why I shouldn’t change my mind now!) this pattern is rocking my world.  I’ve got the material and all the notions, so I’m going to get cutting it tonight.  I’ll give you an update as I go!

The Material

31387084395_a7af805a3e_m

Beautiful red satin from Edinburgh fabrics – you’ve seen this before in my last fabric haul post.

So there’s my plans for the little red dress/ birthday dress (see smart goals) … As I said, I’ll update you with proof that I’ve cut it out and pinned it!

See you soon!

Emma

Update 3/1/17

Pattern pieces cut out!

#thelittlereddressproject:Update 2

Published on by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

Well, I think I’ve found the pattern for my LRD in regarding to #thelittlereddressproject …. Cue the drumroll everyone … meet Alix, the new pattern from By Hand London. 

Alix is only available in PDF form, so I’m going to have to get my skates on if I want it printed out by a print shop (i.e. I can’t be bothered sticking numerous amounts of A4 pages together!) buts it’s such a me dress! I love the long length as well as the short length so at the moment I’m toying with the final chosen length! 

The Alix is looking gorgeous in red 😍

Short Version of Alix
Long version of Alix

Ohhhh which one!?!? Because I’m short, I think having it just below the knees will suit me best and I’m pretty sure if all goes well I might even do the long version!

“Light to medium weight wovens will bring out the best in Alix – cotton lawn, voile, chambray, annel, double gauze, cotton silk, sandwashed silk, silk noil, wool crêpe, viscose crêpe, rayon and cupro.” 

Oooooh – cotton lawn? Chambray? Silk? Crêpe? 

Which should I choose? 

I think 💭 Alix will look stunning in red silk … but I haven’t worked with silk before – eeeek! 

What is sand washed silk? Silk noil? That’s something I’ll have too look up and see if it’s a viable option x

Until next time

The Little Red Dress Project: Inspiration & Research (1 of 4)

Published on by Emma_Ciarrocca2 Comments

So I’m scrolling through my instagram feed and there’s this image of a lady wearing a little red dress with @runningwithstyle ‘s handle and a hashtag #thelittlereddressproject and I’m immediately intrigued.  And before I question it, I’ve signed up – eeeeeeek!


Why on earth would I go for red? It’s not a colour I would normally opt to wear but it’s probably because I’ve haven’t found that perfect red shade. Well now’s the time to change that then! Positive thinking and all that jazz.

So the dear old Pinterest came out and I’ve made a board … yes another board of umpteen ideas of ooooohsss and ahhhhhhssss! 


The biggest problem at the moment is choosing the pattern.  I have a love affair with the Butterick 5748 as I’ve made a emerald number (which needs hemmed) a navy number (a tad more work) and a summer number (skirt bit done) – there is a pattern with the 5748 pattern and I’m determined not to not finish the red dress. It’s a great challlenge, so why would I not want to finish it?!! It’s a stunner of a dress but there a few other contenders …

Flippin’ sew the hem Emma!
The good old classic option navy here!
Summer colours here with a contrast purple for the top part
Butterick’s 5748, a firm favourite!
 

Next pattern – contrast to go there or not to go there? I’ve not worked with lace before, like ever. So is this the challenge to do such a thing? So I’d love to do something in lace but I might just hold my horses and do a simple number! 

Ooooh nice contrast with Butterick’s 6280
Beautiful lace from Remnant Kings
Cotton stretch sateen from Remnant Kings
 
I’m still floating back to a cotton stretch sateen. Perhaps because I’ve worked with it before. I would love to add a black edging to give the dress an extra element but I’ll see how I cope! 

Then it’s actually hunting down a red that I would like to work with and wear. I’m going to troll the local fabric shops in November as I’m off for a week then. I’ll also order a few samples from online fabric shops and then I’ll decide from there. I’ve not came across much online though … it’s quite meeeeh. I’m thinking of going for a wine red but if forced to do a red like in the image above, I will. 

Patterns, patterns, patterns … I’ve still not homed into my final choice but here’s just a few of my options … 

Butterick’s 5748
Butterick’s 6280

Another easy option with red drawing me in towards the dress!
Another lace option with B ? I don’t make it easy for myself, do I?
I’m liking this option C – it floats but I think it’s too long for a LRD?
Something cute for the back detail with option C!
Grading up option A would be nice!
Should I go all retro with option B?
I love C – but is it because of the Red?!
It would have to be C or D for this one!

That’s all for the moment but I will give you an update on my final choice!