Friday 14 March 2014

Georgia on my Mind


The gorgeous, gorgeous Georgia Dress was released last November and as usual, I'm a little late to the party. On the plus side, making a dress after the initial pattern hysteria has died down means you can pick up everybody else's construction tips! I used Sally from Charity Shop Chic's zip insertion technique for the curved seam and got some helpful hemming advice from Nissa. Plus the sew along posts on the By Hand London blog are great.  The pattern instructions are perfectly clear, but it's always good to see things visually and every step is photographed. Luckily I didn't have to make many changes to the pattern. I made a UK size 10 in the knee length version with skinny straps. I shortened the skirt pieces by two inches and the straps by one inch. I also made a one inch FBA (full bust adjustment) to the bodice pieces (documented here).


Once I'd got the bodice sorted out, the whole thing sewed together really easily. There are a lot of curved seams on this dress, so I made sure I clipped and notched them all as instructed. I also found pressing them open using a tailor's ham really helped keep the curves intact. My only mishap was a tragedy involving the zip…. I'd just inserted a perfect concealed side zip, (yep, concealed side zip - my sewing nemesis). I closed the zip and it broke. Big sigh. Let's just say I strongly regretted being a non-smoker at that moment! Happily, the new zip went in perfectly second time around, well it didn't really have a choice as I'd threatened to chop it to ribbons if it didn't behave itself.

Not quite sure what to do with my arms...
I think a fabric with a bit of stretch to it is essential for this dress - I can't really see how a woven fabric can cling to your curves in the same way. And boy, does this fabric cling to your curves! I used a navy stretch pique from the Goldhawk Road at £7 a metre and I only needed two metres, which included two bodice muslins.  Perhaps I should have bought more fabric so that I could have done a better job of the pattern matching, which as it stands is shockingly bad (ahem) The only reason I can wear it out in public is because the flower print is so busy and random. But you know what? I don't really care, the dress absolutely rocks and that's good enough for me.

If I was to make it again, the only thing I'd do differently would be to make the straps a bit wider to try and hide my fat underarm bits, but apart from that I love the way it turned out. In terms of style and flesh coverage, it's quite far out of my comfort zone. but sometimes you've just got to sew something that captures your heart regardless, and this is one of those occasions.  Happy weekend! x







73 comments:

  1. It's gorgeous Jane! You look a total babe ;) I can;t even tell that you didn't match the pattern - the randomness of the pattern hides it perfectly! It a gorgeous dress on you, I really am going to have to make this one too!

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  2. That dress looks great on you! I've been debating about sewing the Georgia for myself but I just realised I rarely ever wear skirts this narrow, so I'll go for the Flora instead...

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  3. You look SO va-va-voom! Absolutely lovely! I wouldn't have even attempted to match the pattern along all these seam lines- it looks perfectly fine as is!

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  4. This is one of my favourite Georgia's, I just love that fabric :)

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  5. Wow! You are amazing in this dress. It suits your curves to perfection and the fit is spot on. I am so impressed! Don't fret about not matching the print: we can harldy notice it anyways because you look so damn good!

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  6. You rock in this dress. Nice job

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  7. wit woo! fab-u-lous! the pattern matching doesn't matter at all

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  8. The fit is amazing! You look great. :)

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  9. I think you look gorgeous in this! Pattern matching with the number and placement of seams would be difficult without lots of extra yardage. It looks great regardless.

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  10. Beautiful! That's quite a show-stopper Jane!

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  11. You look one million percent babe-ilicious! I must make another Georgia now the weather is getting warmer, it's a beautiful pattern and you look cracking in it! x

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  12. Beautiful! I even like where the print doesn't match at the seams :)

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  13. wow, amazing dress, hope you have somewhere special to wear it to!

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  14. This should so not be out of your comfort zone Jane, it looks fabulous on you! Plus the fabric you've chosen has made it really 'Handmade Jane' if you get what I mean! Beautiful

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  15. The dress is lovely, but you make the dress. You really should make more figure hugging dresses.

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  16. It's beautiful Jane and you're beautiful in it. It's definitely a look you should work more often!

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  17. Stunning, Jane!! Believe me, NO ONE is looking at your pattern matching, you bombshell, you!! ^__^

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  18. You look amazing! Love this version!

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  19. Yes - been looking forward to this. So gorgeous and and very flattering on you (makes up for the bloody zip!) Love how this dress suits so many people. I feel out of my comfort zone in mine too (although it is very comfortable to wear!), but like you said, it's such an awesome dress we'll get over it soon enough!

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  20. hot hot hot.. i love this dress on you!

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  21. This dress looks GREAT on you!

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  22. Foxy lady...you totally rock this Jane!!!

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  23. You sexy beast, Jane! Wow what a fit! Still to do mine yet but I don't think anyone will top this one! xxx

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  24. That is definitely one gorgeous dress!

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  25. I love everything about this dress. Great job.

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  26. It looks great on you! Lovely fabric too

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  27. Va voom!! You look gorgeous! What a lovely dress!

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  28. woohoo, you look stunning in this dress!! Very pretty!

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  29. Jane, this is a f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s make, and though you maybe a non-smoker, you're looking smokin' hot in your beautiful new dress hun!!! :-)

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  30. The dress is gorgeous. I think this type of skirt looks really good on you

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  31. The dress is gorgeous. I think this type of skirt looks really good on you

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  32. Wow you look a babe!!!

    SSB. https://facebook.com/sassysewingbees

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  33. Good choice of fabric and it looks lovely....

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  34. Fabulous! Jane, this is just stunning!

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  35. Stunning! The shape is so flattering on you and I love the fabric choice. The Georgia is waaaaay out of my comfort zone too, so good on you for giving it a chance. It was worth it!

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  36. Wow you look amazing! Although you
    Might think this is outside your comfort zone you'd never guess it, you look amazing! This really makes me want to buy this pattern!

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  37. Stunning, simply stunning :)

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  38. This make is an absolute credit to you, Jane - looks really lovely! If you have a beachy holiday planned somewhere this year, maybe try it with flat strappy sandals & a big floppy hat too! Cheers from sunny Brisbane. :)

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  39. I love this on you! Thanks, also for the clear explanation of the FBA that you did, as this always intimidates me!

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  40. Sassy Georgia Jane! I love that strong floral. It looks fabulous!

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  41. Pattern mismatching? What on earth are you talking about? Seriously though I see nothing wrong there... You look amazing in this dress. Make more like this please!

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  42. What a beauty, Jane! You look fabulous, as does the dress as well.

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  43. It looks gorgeous Jane. You are so clever. It fits you perfectly. Feeling inspired now to make something for me! x

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  44. This is fantastic. Certainly outside your usual style, but you are rocking this

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  45. Amazing Georgia!!You look incredible in this.

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  46. It's a fab dress - I definitely wouldn't worry about pattern matching, it looks great as it is!

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  47. This is va-va-voom! Epic work :D

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  48. Ooh la la, lady! Stunning!! If anyone gets close enough to notice any lack of pattern matching, they need a slap in the face, I say xx

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  49. Jane, it's beautiful! You look amazing - you are totally rocking this dress!

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  50. You look so great! Definitely makes me want to make one...

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  51. Great job, looks fantastic on you! Looks like you've gotten the perfect fit, and how a fun going out dress!

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  52. Wow, do you ever rock that dress. I can't improve on previous comments, but love the flower in your hair too! When I saw the title I was hoping you were moving to Georgia...the USA one.

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  53. Wow! You are stunning in this gorgeous dress! I suggest you make more dresses like this style because this one fits you beautifully.

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  54. Wow! Absolutely Georg-ous :)

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  55. Love it! Really suits you! :)

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  56. You are absolutely rockin' this dress!! Fabulous job! :)

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  57. what a fabulous dress, you look sensasional! love the fabric, the non-pattern matching is absolutely not a problem.

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  58. Great dress! You look so happy and pretty! And I've had that same concealed zip episode, so I can totally relate. In fact, I hardly ever use them anymore for that same reason.

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  59. I promise you, NO ONE is noticing any "fat underarm bits". This is such a babelicious dress and it's looks amazing on you!

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  60. don't you try and hide NOTHIN because YEAH JANE! YEAHYEAHYEAH!! this is so freaking hot!!!

    glad you soldiered through the zip-- and seriously, who would try and match that print? i think it calls for well matched haphazardness which you've totally done. gorgeous.

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  61. Wowee, you look fantastic in this great dress. Anyone looking to see whether the pattern is 100% matching needed to get real and so missing the point! ;-) It's captivating. Rachel ☺

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  62. Oooh gorgeous! This is one beautiful dress and it looks amazing on you!

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  63. WOW, YOU REALLY ROCK THAT DRESS, JANE!

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  64. The dress looks great! Can you bend over without showing too much information about the girls? :)

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  65. Wow for the dress and double wow for the dress on you, wow wow!!

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  66. Jane, this is gorgeous! And nice pins ;) x

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