First make of 2014: Another BHL Anna
Normally, it’s very rare that I make more than one version of a pattern but near the end of 2013 it seemed to have become a bit of a recurring theme! I made two Ensis and two La Sylphides (1 and 2).
So why not another Anna?
But if I am properly honest, my dress is not technically the first make of 2014.
No.
This is:
Harriet’s favourite toy (Fishy) was looking a little sad (and, since we are being honest, disgusting) so I made her a new one: Introducing Bunny! A smaller version of The Giving Bunny.
Made from polar fleece with a (wonky) hand stitched face, it was love at first bite – the cat nip stuffing might have had something to do with it too
But back to my new Anna – you might recognise this fabric from my walk-away dress.
I loved it so much when I found it that I bought extra.
Cutting the walkaway dress left me with a pile of skinny off cuts that I held onto just in case. Turns out they were perfect for the back bodice and all the skirt pieces on my Anna. I only needed a full width of fabric to cut the front bodice, yeah!
Can I get away with a third item in this fabric?
These photos were taken at Otari-Wilton’s Bush. I met Kat (and Drake) and Nikki for a fun group photo session before heading back to Nikki’s house where Kat and I dived head first into her stash – it was super fun!
I adore this place, I feel so good just walking through here, and not just because it was the scene for one of the happiest days of my life. Otari-Wilton’s Bush is 100% native NZ, right on your doorstep and simply gorgeous.
I’m getting distracted again, back to the dress: This Anna went together exactly as per my first. I was a teensy bit worried about the thicker cotton sateen but it wasn’t a problem at all, I like that the skirt feels more structured and sits out a bit more than my lighter weight version. Two different dresses and I love them both
My only other change was to lower the top of my zipper and put in a hook & eye, just to try something a bit different.
It didn’t all go smoothly though. I thought I was being super careful when cutting out the front bodice but…
Can you spot anything wrong with this picture?
Yes, that’s right, and the dress was 99% finished – I threw a small tanty and pulled out my unpicker:
My overlocker unpicker makes unpicking particularly satisfying, mean looking isn’t it?
The offending bodice unpicked, lucky I had plenty of fabric left over to re-cut it.
I had to be careful attaching the new bodice, since I had overlocked most of my seam allowances off – I just followed the old stitching holes to line everything up.
I particularly enjoyed Drakes photo bombs!
Here’s some more out-takes because out-takes are fun!
THE DEETS:
Pattern - By Hand London Anna Dress, variation 3, straight size 12
Fabric – Cotton Sateen from Spotlight, Kaiwharawhara
Other notions – Invisible zipper, a smidge of fusible interfacing, hook & eye
Big thanks to Kat for taking so many awesome photos xx
