Bluebird

I fear I'm going to be rather boring with my makes for a while: Dottie Angel frocks and straight skirts.  On the other hand, I actually wear these things, and they work well with my wardrobe, so there you go.  I am always interested to read about what other sewers make and actually wear, so I guess these posts are still useful.

I used some Cotton + Steel fabric (of course!) for my dress, from the Bluebird collection.  It is gorgeous, and from one of my favorite designers on the C+S team: Sarah Watts.  She designed my beloved Tokyo Train Ride fabric as well.  (Incidentally, I ordered some more of the Tokyo Train Ride fabric to make a Dottie Angel frock for the spring because I really miss having that fabric in my closet; my dress from last year just got to be way too big)

What I love about the Dottie Angel frock pattern is the lack of waist seam, as well as the general shape.  It reminds me of 1940s house dress patterns that I love.  These dresses are just so comfortable and flattering at the same time.  I also think I've finally got the details right on this one.

I adjusted the sleeve width again, to 9 1/2", with a 9" sleeve opening, which seems to be perfect for this silhouette.  My Frankenpattern needs a bit more room/coverage because of the way the bodice is cut, but this dress doesn't need quite so much.  I also realized that the back is slightly longer than the front because I cut a bigger size for the back, so I've adjusted the length on the front so they match up at the side seams.

I had feared that I didn't make the front elastics wide enough, and that it looked too baggy, but after wearing it twice, I think it is perfect.  I really love this fabric, and as usual, Cotton+Steel has knocked it out of the park.  This dress will be great for spring as things warm up as well.

I think I've decided that I do best if I plan to have something in rotation for 2 seasons in a row, but not more, even if the garment is appropriate for year-round or three season wear.   I just put my chambray dress away for a while, since it has been out since June, and I haven't worn it since December.  I will pull it out again in the summer or fall.  I find it is nice to be able to put some things away for a while and then pull them out again a few months later.

Pocketses!  I like the pocket pattern that came with the packet, but I'm going to try some other patch pocket styles on the next couple dresses, just for variety.  I have a couple of different types in my files from other dresses, and am also curious to draft a big kangeroo pocket at some point.

I wore this dress on Friday as well, when we visited the Art Museum with my parents.  The boys had off school, so we thought they'd enjoy seeing the armour and other stuff (they had a blast).  It was really cold on Friday, so my wooly beard was the perfect thing to warm up the dress (plus some silk long underwear and wool knee socks over my tights!)  I should really do a post about how to wear cotton dresses in cold weather.

Unfortunately, I've been battling a bad respiratory infection for the past week or so, and fatigue even more easily than usual, so I'm going to have a bit of a lie down before the sitter comes back with Ponchik.

Just the facts:

Bluebird dress: Simplicity 1080, Cotton+Steel fabric, bias binding

Wool cardigan sweater: Banana Republic via ThredUp

Wooly Beard cowl: me-made from 1933 pattern, Swish lava yarn

Foot Traffic Tights

Winter boots

Embroidery hoop necklace: Call Her Happy on etsy