Thursday 31 May 2012

Peacocks? Sitting on eggs?

T in his infinite wisdom said to me last week as I pranced around the house in my new tunic, "It seems to me, Mummy, that you are obsessed with making dresses".  I stuttered and racked my brain for a reply other than "Yes, son you are right."   Then he took a look: "Peacocks? Sitting on eggs?"  For the highly logical person that he is, this was maybe too much, a nonsensical step too far. 
But as other bloggers have noticed there is a siren lure to the novelty print and every now and then we give in.  See Jessica's dress (I still want it) Scruffybadger's recent dalliance in elephants, plus her previous Brighton Pavilions tunic but cannot find a link to it (I still want it).  I could continue...but no, lets get down to looking at the tunic.  I bought the echino linen in
M is for Make's January sale, I think I was in a post natal hormonal haze my mind thinking something like "I just had a baby.... I deserve some pretty fabric bought brand new to reward me for giving birth". 


Slanted patch pocket







I bought 2 metres, I really should have bought 3 metres, as I only just managed to squeeze the tunic out of the fabric, partly because I initially cut the back bodice out upside down so had to recut it - that meant not enough fabric left for sleeves.  I used the Mariposa pattern from Anna Maria Horner's  Handmade Beginings again as I wanted a tunic or dress that I could easily feed Rocket Girl in.  (I keep looking at pretty dress patterns and mentally divide them into ones I can feed the baby in while out and about and ones I cannot.)  I made the non-maternity version of the Mariposa this time and omitted the facing and modesty panel.  I also omitted the self fabric ties due to lack of fabric.  Instead I used some ready made pink polka dot bias binding to edge the bodice and extended it into ties.  I also edged the armholes and as I had a relatively short skirt I used the bias binding on the hem too.    I had enough fabric left to make two slanted patch pockets which are lined in some cheap gingham polycotton.  I didn't have enough fabric to try and match the pattern with the pockets.  I don't know why but the shoulder pleat on this pattern is a small detail that makes me smile.  I had intended doing some outfit pics today in the tunic but guess what?  Little I has got up this morning with chicken pox! Two weeks and two days after her baby sister came out in spots.  So I am a bit preoccupied today as she is lying on the sofa demanding food and entertainment.
Shoulder pleat
Once I had finished the tunic on I was struck by the fact that I have in fact made a Mrs Overall costume.  Oops.
Image Detail
 Just need to accessorise it with rubber gloves and hair rollers.

18 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear that the Lurgy is still cutting a swathe through the household...hope she gets better soon.Lovely fabric and lovely tunic...and so nice to know that you make the odd mistake too!
    You could never look like Mrs O by the way...far too stylish!

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    1. oh, I make plenty of mistakes! I also attached the tape to the wrong side of the hem, had to unpick and re sew it.

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  2. Oh no! More chicken pox!!! I hope you guys get through this round quickly and easily. I like the peacocks! How funny that T is onto your addiction! :)

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  3. I love the peacocks sitting on eggs! But more importantly, you love them. :) I don't think it looks anything like Mrs. Overall. I hope Little 1 feels better soon!

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    1. Thank you - Little is very spotty and itchy. I thought it was peacocks on flowers initially...

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  4. Oh noes for the chicken pox! At least afterwards they'll all be immune, right? Heh, T is very funny. And observant. :)

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    1. Yes and they need immunity I think as it is supposed to be worse if you get it as an adolescent or adult. Yes, not much escapes T's notice. x

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  5. I'm so glad you splurged on this fabric for yourself. It makes such a lovely tunic, and that shoulder detailing is such a nice touch. Hope the chicken pox mends soon :-( ...

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    1. Thank you - it was lovely fabric to sew with. x

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  6. Those are some lovely details on that tunic, and I hope the chicken pox will go away again soon! :-)

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    1. Thank you - I am counting days till Chicken pox goes as Little I is pretty miserable and itchy. She is much more spotty than the baby was when she had it!

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  7. I love this fabric! Hope little I gets better soon. I would love a spinning wheel, i keep checking ebay! xxx

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    1. Thanks Alex, it is a nice weight of fabric too. I will keep my eyes peeled for spinning wheel ads!!

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  8. Got to give it to the kid, he's right but birds do have eggs, admittedly the male wouldn't usually be sitting on them...there's some logic in there somewhere though! Just stick your tongue out at him and stomp off in a huff! ;) hehe!

    You DO NOT look like Mrs Overall. *rolls eyes* We're all so hard on ourselves, especially with me made items! Go on, get yourself some elephant print fabric!

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    1. He he,I like the stomp off suggestion :)I have to say I was browsing more novelty prints this morning! x

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  9. Ha ha! My nephew's always rolling his eyes when I walk in with a new dress.

    But here's to fun fabric and little details and garments that make us happy!

    Good luck with the chicken pox -- I take it you're immune already. I got mine at 18 from my baby sister and it was awful. I spend a lot of time dunked in oatmeal :0

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  10. Ha ha and more ha ha! It's great how children can be so objective sometimes! It's fantastic fabric - adorable in fact! I really like what you have done with it, using the Mariposa and the wonderful contrast. Final ha was the reference to Mrs Overall....great memories!

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