My second and final make for OWOP 2014 (One Week, One Pattern) may be considered sacrilegious by some, because surely the collar is one of the sweetest things about the Hawthorn pattern?!? As much as I agree with that sentiment, I really wanted to try out a collarless version that would be easier to wear with cardigans. And guess what? I love it for its simplicity and versatility, aided by the pretty neckline and my gorgeous raspberry chambray.
I'm calling this dress a Hawthery (oooh, snazzy!), because I decided to replace Hawthorn's circle skirt with the gathered, A-line Emery skirt. This was pretty easy to do - the back skirt piece is cut on the fold and I cut two front skirt pieces after adding the Hawthorn button placket to the centre front. The placket was very nearly the right length as well!
As I said before, what keeps this dress from being boring is the lovely neckline detail. As I was feeling less lazy than usual I decided to further embellish it with one of my machine's decorative stitches and also went to town on the armholes and hem. Be warned that I may now be decoratively stitching pretty much everything I make...such fun!
One of my favourite things about the Emery skirt is how the pockets are 'hidden' within the side seam. You'd never know they were there, but for my own kicks I made them using some crazy fabric scraps I found in my stash.
So far, my absolute favourite way to wear my Hawthery is with this navy blue cardigan and shoes! Something about the combination of the raspberry and blue makes me so happy. Am I alone in thinking it looks like quite an 'expensive' combination?
All in all, I'm actually taken aback by how much I've loved making and wearing what is essentially, such a basic dress! Have you been pleasantly surprised by a recent make?
P.S. Chambray looks lovely, feels gorgeous and sews up beautifully. But boy does it delight in creasing and resisting the iron!!!
 may be considered sacrilegious by some, because surely the collar is o...){kind=link}
Love this version of the Hawthorn! What a great colour and the decorative stitch looks amazing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Karina!
DeleteGORGEOUS!!!! Be prepared for a lot of love in this comment : Your collarless hawthery (great name) is so perfect! I may have the wrath of many sewists by saying this (you as well perhaps), but I have never really been a fan of the hawthorns collar, so it is lovely to see what this bodice is like without one, and it turns out that it is lovely! Especially with your fun decorative stitching. I don't think I have ever used the decorative stitches on my machine...perhaps I need to look into that! And I agree, your purple (oh my, what a beautiful purple chambrey....having major fabric envy here) and navy combo is very high end looking (loving your shoes, where are they from?) - and I think the always flawless make-up adds to that effect!
ReplyDeleteOk that's enough gushing from me! lol ;)
Oh wait, no it's not - I love your rug too!
Oh wow...I'm overwhelmed by the love and kind comments! Thanks so much on all accounts Suzanna! And do have a play around with your decorative stitches, I know I'll be using mine again ;o0
DeleteBeautiful! Wow, Marie, I love every single thing about this dress. The Hawthorn bodice looks so cute without the collar and with the Emery skirt. Also, that color is fabulous. So, so chic
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Mary, you're too kind!
DeleteI looooooove this color on you! It's perfect!
ReplyDelete;p thank you ;p
DeleteOh my goodness, Marie! I had this pattern, but I gave it away because I didn't like the collar. Now, I regret that decision! I might have to go back and buy that pattern because I love, love this smash up you've made. I didn't know why I didn't think of this before. Silly me. I love the two colors together! Great work!
ReplyDeleteOh no, so sorry to hear that you gave it away :o( Hope you get your hands on a copy soon!
DeleteI think the cardi combo is fabulous! I feel exactly the same about chambray. I made a Delphine this week and it's exactly the same. Constantly looks like it's been living in the bottom of a suitcase. Can't tell from your pics though, live the raspberry version. X
ReplyDeleteThanks Zoe! Wish there was a solution to the chambray wrinkle problem!
DeleteLove this! The chambray is such a lovely colour, and yes, it looks beautiful with the navy.
ReplyDeleteGoregous colour combination, I need to get me some chambray!
ReplyDeleteOh, that necklined indeed is so cute with the cardi. Very pretty dress and very pretty colour.
ReplyDeleteThe embelish stitch you used is an invisible hem st., i also experiment with decorative stitches and it's addicting! ! ^_^
Yes, very addictive indeed!!!
DeleteHave to agree with everyone else and say this is the best dress I even seen in a long time. I love the new neckline and skirt. And that fabric OMG please tell me where you got it. I need lots of it in my life����
ReplyDeleteOh wow, thank you so much Maeve! I think this is where I got my chambray from http://www.misformake.co.uk/products/interweave-chambray-in-sorbet
DeleteThe combination of raspberry and navy suits you perfectly Marie and yes, it does look like an expensive combo! The collar is actually the feature I like least about the Hawthorn, and is the reason why I haven't made it yet. So it's great to see your lovely collarless version, really inspiring! Your Hawthorn OWOP week has made me seriously reconsider this pattern, I've loved seeing all your versions! x
ReplyDeleteThanks lovely! I'd love to see you try Hawthorn ;o) Thanks again for hosting OWOP...such a blast!xx
DeleteI'm really into those decorative stitches! And can you please come over and give me a makeup tutorial?!? :)
ReplyDeleteOh Erin, you don't need a make-up tutorial from me...you always look so flawless!
DeleteLove this! I really like the Hawthorn bodice collarless. It's simple and clean, but that little notch at the front adds just a bit of interest. The decorative stitching was a nice addition as well!
ReplyDeleteThanks Evie, you give a pretty good summary/description of the bodice!
DeleteBeautiful!!! I really love this dress and the chambray is perfect for it!
ReplyDeletetiz
You look gorgeous Marie! Love this dress!
ReplyDeleteAaaw, thanks Sabs! How are you and the babba getting on?
DeleteSo so pretty, Marie! I love the decorative stitching, too. It's like a cute little heartbeat around your arms and front! :D And that shade of purple is gorgeous on you!
ReplyDeleteI'm bummed to be missing OWOP due to being in the woods for the first few days and lack of machine for awhile to help get myself ready. But it's been fun seeing what everyone is up to!
Thanks Tasha! I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking the stitching looked like a heartbeat graph...hehe!
DeleteCute as always! I love how many people mash up all of the indie patterns for completely unique results! Really lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks lovely...it's the beauty of having so many gorgeous patterns to play with ;o)
DeleteGorgeous! Your eyeliner is stunning too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rona!
DeleteIt looks great without the collar. Such a lovely neckline shape. And I definitely agree that it looks lovely with the blue cardigan!
ReplyDeleteI love this, absolutely gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThe raspberry and the navy cardigan make me feel all warm and tingly inside. It is super simple and yet super rich. The colours look amazing together and now I want not only a raspberry hawthery but also a navy cardigan!!!
ReplyDeleteI have recently been rather pleased by a Nettie dress that I whipped up rather quickly. It is navy and ponte de roma and super simple but also so, so lovely. And because it is a knit, no fitting issues! *swoon*!
Hehe, thanks Carlee! Your Nettie sounds scrumptious!
Deletethis is beautiful! i like your decorative stitching too! who knew a blind hem stitch cold look so sassy? it's the perfect combination of fun and subtle.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, is it a blind hem stitch? I had no idea...just picked a pretty one and went for it :o)
DeleteThis is GORGEOUS! It looks great with out the collar and with the gathered skirt. And I love the decorative top stitching. I so might have to copy this!
ReplyDeleteCopy away, you won't regret it ;o)
DeleteNice work, Marie, and good call on going collarless. It might be blasphemous to some, but I actually prefer it without the collar- it really highlights that cute neckline. And I love your fancy stitching :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's the simple things that feel so comfy & familiar that are the best, huh? After you put all that effort into making it and it just feels 'right' when you put it on. So satisfying.
So weird how so many people hate the collar, but I'm pleased my collarless version is going down a treat!
DeleteI love the colour!! An amazing chambray and cute without collar too. I'd be interested to know if chambray is the fabric of most choice for the Hawthorn and variations of it....!!
ReplyDeleteHaha, it seems that way! I also think seersucker is particularly good with this pattern...hence making two of my versions using ;o)
DeleteIt's gorgeous - I love the colour, and the decorative stitching detail is really pretty!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks!
DeleteThat is gorgeous! I love the neckline!
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful! Lovely idea to use decorative stitching, it works so well for this project.
ReplyDeleteYou are stunning! I love everything about your look (the dress of course, the cardigan, the shoes but also your makeup and hairdo!) You are so stylish! The decorative stiching are a great embellishment of the neckline!
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind, thank you!
DeleteADORABLE. Especially with that cardigan over top! I love the color of the dress, and you can just tell the fabric feels amazing. Your decorative stitches are really fun, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Nicole!
DeleteNo dress is complete without pockets. And I adore the contrasting fabric in said pockets! Love!
ReplyDeleteExcellent little dress. It'll work well all year round and the colour will always make you happy! Love it
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous dress. I just found it from your 2014 round-up and just had to leave a little comment. It is just perfect and suits you so well. I usually steer clear of gathered skirts but love how you've kept the gathering to either side of the centre front - nice and flattering - may try that. xxx
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