You might have spotted this little lady in my OWOP! day 3 outfit post. It is indeed a Colette Ginger, created in bits and bobs over the last week or so. I had attempted to start it whilst in the throes of my womanflu on Friday night but after three sessions of seam-ripping I realised stitching and sneezing just don’t go together and left it to the Sunday to finish off.
So let’s look at what’s right with this make. The size is almost perfect for me – I cut out a straight size 4 but then freaked out once I saw the waistband – I was positive that it would be too small for me. So I constructed it using just a 3/8 seam allowance on the side seams. Now it’s complete, I think maybe I could have got away with the normal seam allowance but now I have the added bonus of pudding space and one must always consider space for pudding, non?
I like the shorter length – I removed about three inches when hemming so next time I’ll take that out at the pattern tracing stage.
I used up some of what was left over from my Minoru – the grey corduroy. And it was here I made my first mistake. In an effort to save on fabric I thought it would be a great idea to place one skirt pattern piece from top to bottom, and the other alongside it from bottom to top. Happily on I worked, piecing together the front and back, only to realise to my horror that this really affects the colour of the corduroy! So now I have a dark front and a light back, or something like that. In some lights you can’t tell but in others it looks quite patchwork-y. But y’know – it’s kind of a wearable muslin so I’m not complaining too much about it…. yet.
Now this is what we call a demi-concealed zip. It’s all the rage you know. Especially if you ‘feature’ it by making it a completely different colour from the fabric – cripes! I hope I’ll get better at these, and I’m positive I’ll never again go so far out of the colour palette in my choice of fastening!
All in all? I’m pleased with my first attempt, despite the obvious issues. It’s terribly straightforward to make. I’d love to try out the chevron stripe matching in another version but perhaps only after I have a few more version 1s under my belt. I specifically made this one to go with my Tuck ‘n’ lace ‘n’ silk violet and it goes perfectly with it so hooray!
Question for you Ginger-afficionados out there – any great tutorials for adding a lining? I’m a newbie to lining and can’t quite work it out for myself so every little helps!
Now for the giveaway bit!
You guys – this is a milestone. This in my 100th post – hooray! To mark the occasion I’ve got a lovely retro uncut pattern, all ready to whip up for the summer!
It’s a retro 50s-style dress from Butterick patterns with bias binding straps and a full skirt. Just right for twirling the night away.
To be in with a chance of winning just leave a comment. The giveaway will be open until Saturday March 31st midnight, UK time. Good luck and thanks for sticking around!
Congrats on your 100th post! I love that pattern and have been considering buying it. I would love to win. Thanks for the giveaway and I love reading your blog!
Hello there!
It’s such a lovely pattern and I love the idea of. Using corduroy. Good work!
I wouldn’t know about lining your skirt, I’m awaiting the delivery of my Colette selection! I’ll let you know if I get any lining inspiration along the way over on my Lickle blog.
Love the way that you are getting along, it’s inspirational for me as a right royal newbie!
Caffy aka Bundana
Thanks so much Caffy! Loved your cape btw! Looking forward to seeing what you get from Colette – exciting!
Ah, yes. I too completely forgot about the nap on corduroy with my current project and did a lot of ripping to fix it. It should come with a warning label and big arrows or something. Love the pattern! Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
I’m a new stalker/follower. lol Loving your blog! Thanks for the giveaway! How cool!
Congrats on your 100th post, i’ve only recently found your blog but i’m loving it. Also loving the dress pattern, i can’t believe i haven’t seen it before.
Those bias straps are too cute! Congrats on number 100!
Those bias straps are too adorable. Congrats on number 100!
I like your Ginger ! Its funny, I complete my first Giinger on monday 🙂
I’d love to win, I recently got back into sewing after a 10 year hiatus, loving all the sewing blogs.
Invisible zips are tricky. I think it’s like gambling: sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t.
I know I said I loved your grey Ginger. But really. I lurve your grey Ginger. I might have to play copy cat and make one of my own.
Do it Mela! I’ve just cut out another Ginger in teal corduroy – I can’t get enough of it 🙂
I’ve been reading your blog for a while and really enjoy it. Congratulations on your skirt! It’s lovely, even with the peeping zipper. 🙂 I’m not sure if your giveaway is open to US residents? If so, please count me in!
Oh I should have said! Yes it is open to the world! Welcome and thank you Elizabeth 🙂
Ooh very nice Joanne, you can’t go wrong with a grey cord Ginger! I put in a lining on the 2nd Ginger I made. There are some vague instructions in this post,(http://handmadejane.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/apple-print-ginger.html) it’s pretty straight forward. X
Oh brill thank you Jane! I’ll try this with the next one 🙂
The only way I could solve my invisible zipper nightmare was to buy the relevant foot! since then my life has changed :o)
Love your ginger! stunning fit too! Thanks for the giveaway…I don’t have any vintage pattern so it would be nice…would feel like Marion in Happy Days
I do have the foot! But I think I’m using it wrong Will keep reading tutorials and trying!
Hi! It’s so much fun to follow your owop! And I hope to read another 100 posts from you 😉 Count me in for the giveaway, it is such a cute pattern! Thanks!
What a lovely pattern! Congrats on your 100th post!
I think your Ginger looks great, I really like how you paired it with a skinny belt. What a great pattern, I would love to enter your giveaway.
Love that skirt and the giveaway pattern is just what I need for my friend’s 45th party
Love the skirt on you – size FOUR!!? SEE? you ARE itty!!
Congrats on the 100th post! Love the bias straps on that dress, especially in View B where they make a cute little window of upper chest to peek out – how bawdy! LOL
hahaah i never thought of it like that. Just displaying the goods I guess…?! ;-P
LOL it’s so far up you probably wouldn’t even get close to seeing anything… but i bet back then that was definitely considered bawdy! LOL, like “oh my! an ANKLE! That girl is quite the hussy!” hehehe
Well rather lovely I say. Both top and nicely fitting skirt.
Just a quick one on lining gingers. I lined mine, but wished id added just a cm more to each lining piece for ease. Alanna at lazy stitching’s lined pencil skirt described it well. Sorry no link, am commenting by phone. 🙂
Congratulations on your 100th post!
Thanks for the amazing giveaway. What a lovely pattern!!
Congratulations on reaching this milestone! 🙂
I’d love to be entered – what a beautiful pattern!!
Love your Ginger skirt! The corduroy is awesome – It looks just perfect with your Violet.
Congratulations on your 100th post! I love the idea of celebrating your number of posts as opposed to your number of followers (though that’s exciting, too)! I’d love to win this adorable retro dress pattern you’re so generously giving away!
That’s a beautiful pattern but please don’t enter me in the giveaway I don’t need any more patterns! Just came to say congratulations on your 100th post! Unicorns and steam typewriters! Huzzah! etc!
The demi concealed zip is all the rage….on my skirt I used it as a design feature…well it was my first ever zip. (bright red floral fabric and a dark blue zip. I’ve got pink fabric and a light blue zip to use next time.)
He he – I love the name, the pink zip, and the giveaway!!
Congratulations on your 100th post! I’m looking forward to following you to 200! My, I said to myself, one of those patterns would look really super with a pair of very nice RED ballet pumps!!! lol
Oooh, lovely pattern!
Nice skirt, too – looks like a really good fit on you.
I made that mistake once with corduroy. Annoying, isn’t it? 😦