Red Tulips

Anyone know a 13 yr old girl who could give me lessons in taking selfies? Or not. My "photographers" are MIA right now, so I had to dig out the tripod and give it a go. I failed miserably. I cut my head off, was out of focus, I forgot to take my sunnies off or I just plain forgot to smile! I worked myself into a lather of sweat and so these pics will just have to do. 

Now on to the dress... I bought this fabric at a thrift store! Can you believe that?!! Who gives away a lovely gem like this and I wonder what plans they may have once had for it? I love the color and the print, it feels very "me"and I love red tulips! I think that it is a silk shantung. I only had a meter and a half of this fabric so my pattern choices were limited. Anytime I have a shortage of fabric, I pick a pattern with more and smaller pieces, giving me the ability to play "puzzle" with them on my fabric. I thought that Newlook 6774 would fit the bill. And it did.

My Review: 

Pattern: Newlook 6774

Fabric used: Silk shantung that I thrifted!

Instructions: Were clear and straightforward.

Changes I made: I lined the skirt portion of this dress in addition to the bodice. I hand stitched the crossover part of the bodice to prevent gaping. Instead of using the fabric tabs on the straps of this dress, I choose to pleat and hand stitch them in place with tiny, invisible stitches. I also added inseam side pockets. Of course!

Repeat worthy?  I recommend this pattern but I'll probably move on to another...

After my selfies didn't go so well, I put the dress on my form and lugged her outside for better pictures. What my neighbors must think!

Here is a close up of the pleating that I added to the straps. I am so pleased with my hand stitching here and I love the shaping it gave the dress.

I remembered to get a back view!

Here is the one picture that my head wasn't cut off AND I smiled. Still blurry... but I'm smiling.