Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Tessuti Gridlock Gertie Wiggle Dress!

Now try and say that 10 times fast!

I finally decided to get my ass into gear and finish this dress today.
Yes...on the day this competition closes. No pressure!


I was unsure about this fabric from day dot, so it was left to sit in a pile on my sewing room floor for a good 3 weeks. Blue is really not my colour... yet I continue to persist in testing this theory!

 So in a pile it sat until I started seeing Gertie's wiggle dresses popping up all over the blogosphere (such as this one and this gorgeous one...)

I said to myself "you will be mine wiggle dress... oh yes. You will be mine!"
Then i stopped talking to myself and cut the darn thing out.

looking like a proud new mother...

Construction went together pretty smoothly.
After sewing the 8 double pointed darts! phew...
There was much head scratching over how to insert the underarm gussets.
But I managed to get them in somehow... and they look pretty neat if I do say so myself!

Finished Underarm Gusset! woop woop

So the gussets were done... then I lost steam and dropped the project in a pile again.

Until today that is...
 I had a day off from work and decided to tackle the UFO box (Insert scary music here) 
And I thought, what the hay, there are still a few hours to submit a dress for this competition so lets get cracking!


I whizzed up the side seams and added the neck facing and finished the hems. DONE AND DONE!

however... it looked pretty boring compared to some of the other comp entries. Hrmph...
(Not that I am in the running with a last minute whip up Ha!)

So I needed to use the white side of the fabric to add a little something.
A bow seemed like a nice and simple addition, and a quick one too.
I made it detachable so I can swap brooches depending on mood.



And the fit you ask?
A-m-a-z-i-n-g
I have never had a pattern fit so well straight out of the envelope... or book in this case.
I traced a straight size 8 (I think) and made zero alterations. 
No full bust adjustment, no pinching excess from the back. Nothing!
Winner. Thanks Gertie.


All in all, I am a happy little vegemite.
I feel a bit va va voom yet classy at the same time.
Now I just need somewhere to wear this little number.

Cocktails anyone???






19 comments:

  1. Very pretty :) I love that fabric, the bow looks lovely.

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  2. Gorgeous! And I love the contrasting bow.
    I'm blown away that it didn't require ANY fitting adjustments - that's fab! I really hate that stage of sewing....I wonder if the same would apply to me if I made this dress...may have to give it a go!!

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  3. So glad you finished this because it's stunning! What a great fit and the colour definitely suits you! I love the bow detail...gorgeous!

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  4. Funny, I was just thinking last night that I really ought to actually have a good LOOK at my Gertie book.....I have so much trouble getting motivated!
    It's just lovely, you've done a beautiful job, as always. Nice to see one of her frocks made up. The bow is a splendid addition.
    Ugh, fitting adjustments drive me MENTAL, but I always have to do them with these lumps on my chest.
    You were up late, young lady!
    X

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  5. What a beautiful dress! you did a great job!

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  6. Very beautiful and fits perfectly! I have Gertie's book, but haven't made any of the patterns yet. You've inspired me to give it a go :-)

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  7. So cute! I love the bow. Good luck with the competition.

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  8. I also just made this dress, and had the same puzzlement with the underarm gussets! But you are right - no adjustments and it fits PERFECTLY - one of the most comfortable dresses I've ever made. Am planning on making some more because I think they will be an excellent winter staple!

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  9. This is beautiful!! I really like the way you've styled it with the shoes and hair, too!! Good luck in the competition!

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  10. Lovely dress! Um actually the melbourne social sewing girls and I are doing Frocktails (frocks and cocktails) in September if you would like to join us? :)

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    1. Thanks for the comments! I put a warning up because it was a gross photo. Imagine having on your leg. Lol. Keep 7th of september free, we'll visiting a bar or two and going out to dinner. Looking fabulous is not optional. :)

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  11. Oh my days! This is bloody gorgeous. That's it I'm making a Gertie wiggle and that is that! :) xxx

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  12. Gorgeous! It's so Joan Holloway I love it :D

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  13. This is gorgeous. I love the fabric and it looks great on you!

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  14. Very pretty dress, I love the detachable bow. I always find that Indie patterns fit perfectly while I often to have adjust big 4 patterns quite a bit@

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  15. This is so sexy! I agree with Lorraine about its Joan Harris-y quality. I like that the sexy fit and subtle pattern makes the bow look just the right amount of cute instead of too much. You should consider uploading it at Kollabora!

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