Zaza Zoo Dress

A very good morning to you all.

Today, I'm going to show you yet another dress I've made for Violet - are you bored with them yet?  I hope not, because I've got more planned.

If you remember, I was going to make another Caroline dress (Simplicity #1452) using some bright pink flower fabric.

Though whilst Violet and I were browsing the haberdashery department in John Lewis the other week, she spotted this bright yellow, bird fabric and asked if I'd make her a dress in it.  

I teamed it up with some yellow and white polka dot fabric and it came together beautifully.

She hasn't taken it off since I finished it.

I made a few modifications:

Firstly, the dress length was a little on the short side, so I added a couple of extra inches. 

Secondly, I hate messing on with sewing ties inside out, and then having the nightmare of trying to turn something so narrow.  So I made the ties for this dress using the same method I would use to make bias binding (fold and press the fabric down it's length, open out, then fold a press the edges in to the middle crease).  I then sewed all around the edges of the ties.  Folding one end over twice, and sewing in place to stop any fraying.

Thirdly, I like a concealed zip.  So I sewed all the back panels (skirt and top pieces) together first, positioned the zip down the centre seam and then sewed in place.  I then used my seam ripper to open up the centre back seam to reveal the zip.  For me, this method also means that my back panels align properly. 

I love this dress and will definitely use this pattern again.  Next time I might buy extra contrasting fabric and position it along the bottom of the skirt.

Pattern: Simplicity #1703 (size 5)

Main Fabric: Zaza Zoo Grass in Yellow - £16 per metre.  I used 1.10 metres.

Contrasting Fabric: Scandi Blue Spot in Citrine - £16 per metre.  I used 40cm.

12" yellow zipper.

Lightweight fusible interfacing.

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