Sunday, 11 June 2017

Red Bonnell Dress


In May 2015 I pattern tested the Dixie DIY Bonnell Dress. It is a lovely dress pattern with cheeky cut-away sections in the bodice.
Dixie DIY Bonnell Dress
The first version I made the dress exactly as-per the instructions and enjoyed the process of making it but when it came to wearing it, I just didn't! The fabric I used was a cotton sateen which had a little bit of stretch, subsequently the waistband stretched and didn't look right because it drooped where the cut-away sections were. Long story short I gave that first version to the charity shop.

Onto version two. I bought two metres of cheap and cheerful red floral viscose from a stall on Chapel Street market in Islington last summer (£2 per metre) with the intention of making a Bonnell Dress v2. This time I omitted the cut-away sections and slightly lengthened the skirt section.


The construction was good and with a self-lined bodice it looks very pretty on the inside too. The fit is great but (why is there often a but?), the back bodice must have stretched out during construction as the back section which should lie in a beautiful V for the centre-back zip is all floppy and stretched. I should have sewn or ironed on some stay-tape to stablise it. Better luck on version 3!

You can see the slight rippling of the bodice either side above the zip - eek!
Overall it is a lovely light summer dress and as I can't see the back of the dress myself I am not that concerned about a little wobbly bodice edge.


Pattern: Dixie DIY Bonnell Dress = Free for pattern testing in 2015
Fabric: 2 metres of viscose from Chapel Street market, Islington = £4.00
Gutterman Thread: Red from stash = free
Invisible Zip: Red = £1.00
Bias Binding: Red bias binding around zip from stash = free

Total: £5.00

Check out lots of other cool crafty blogs at #handmademonday organised by Julia of Sum of their Stories.
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12 comments:

  1. Unknown11 June 2017 at 12:53

    I used to work near Chapel Street a long time ago. Markets are often a good place to get fabric cheaply. The dress looks lovely and the issues with the back might not even be noticeable to anyone else xx

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    Replies
    1. Caroline12 June 2017 at 11:25

      Thanks Anna. I was very happy to find such a cheerful print on viscose at such a reasonable price!

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  2. colesworth11 June 2017 at 16:14

    I love that viscose, such a happy dress ;o)

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    Replies
    1. Caroline12 June 2017 at 11:25

      Thanks - it is indeed a very happy print. Such vibrant colours for summer.

      Delete
  3. Fröbelina12 June 2017 at 09:19

    Those are beautiful colors, I really like the fabric and it looks a lot more expensive than it actually was :) The dress looks great on you :)

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    Replies
    1. Caroline12 June 2017 at 11:26

      Thanks Kat. The colours in the print are very bright and cheerful!

      Delete
  4. Unknown13 June 2017 at 13:16

    So beautiful, And I agree you cant see the back- forget about the imperfection.

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  5. Jo13 June 2017 at 13:41

    A stunning dress for a fiver. Amazing, it looks fabulous in you, here is to some lovely weather this weekend to wear it. Jo x

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  6. Sum of their Stories17 June 2017 at 03:06

    For a fiver you can't go wrong! Just pop a cardie over it then no one gets to see the back, or grow your hair another 6 inches or so! Or maybe even drape an elegant pashmina round - that sounds much classier than a cardie!

    ReplyDelete

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