Folks, it's getting truly cold here in the UK...so I made a dress fit for Spring! I'm not even going to try and understand why - though I've convinced myself a navy cardi and matching tights will make it Winter appropriate - so just humour me please.
Initially, I was lined up to test the Kim Dress - The latest offering from By Hand London - but my granddad got sick and all sewing plans went out the window. The girls were kind enough to let me try Kim out in my own time though and I was more than happy to oblige.
Kim is an interesting combination teetering between sexy and sweet, with really low front and back necklines and a choice of two skirts. Predictably I went for the fuller skirt, but decided against the sweetheart neckline to avoid a complete sugar rush. I also omitted the pintuck hem as I think it's a lovely detail that would have been lost on my busy print.
Having seen Elisalex's stunningly vampy version, I'm now desperate for a bolder Kim in my life and I'm even tempted to break the habit of a lifetime and try the pencil/petal skirt next.
As always with By Hand London patterns, Kim's instructions are spot on and her construction is surprisingly easy. True to form, Kim ends up looking beautiful both inside and out - the bodice is fully lined and I added a skirt lining to mine because my fabric is quite sheer.
Speaking of fabric...don't you love mine? It's Queue for the Zoo, a Liberty Tana Lawn, kindly gifted to me by Susan at Sewbox, as part of the By Hand London pattern testing process. I must take a minute to wax lyrical about Susan, who is so helpful and accommodating! I was first partnered up with Susan back in March during the Flora Dress testing and even though I didn't end up using the beautiful fabric I picked from her selection, she graciously let me keep it. Although I fully intend on putting it to good use, I still haven't had the chance, but Susan didn't hold this against me when our Kim partnership came around. Thank you Susan for being so understanding and so generous!
One personal 'issue' I have with Kim, is the low front neckline. Although I love the way it looks, I'm not sure how comfortable I'll feel in public with so much skin on display. It's not because I'm some frigid weirdo, I promise. It's just that being both buxom and short means that most people look down to speak to me and low necklines expose a lot of cleavage from that angle, often eliciting unwanted attention. So it's just easier to cover up the ladies than deal with stupid idiots thinking I'm 'up for it'!
To make my Kim a little more wearable for me, I actually reduced the seam allowance all along the neckline to just 0.5cm. I think it's made a decent difference and it's also resulted in slightly wider straps, which are better at covering my scaffolding!
Righto, I'm going to leave you with this amusing out-take. It's the moment I went to tinker with my camera's timer and realised our neighbour was waving to me from her ladder. She must think I'm such a dick!
Anyway...what's your take on the Kim Dress? Don't worry if you missed the presale, Kim will be available again by Friday 28 November!
I must say that this is my favorite out of the versions I've seen so far. I understand what you say with the cleavage! I'm short and blessed with a rather big bosom so keeping unwanted eyes of my chest is quite a challenge.
ReplyDeleteThe fabric you've picked is so much fun!
Thank you so much...can't wait for summer so I can enjoy it!
DeleteThis is just lovely, Marie. I totally know what you mean about the depth of the neckline - I had similar qualms about my Kim dresses. I'm just so much more used to wearing dresses with a higher neckline. I did wear one of my Kim dresses to work last week and it was fine with a crew-necked cardigan though - so maybe this is just a good thing to make us both branch out a bit!
ReplyDeleteI love your fabric choice, too. I've been eyeing up this print myself but couldn't quite visualise it as a garment. I always wish Liberty prints were a bit bigger but seeing this on you it's really made me like it. Dude, I may have to SWF you on this one! xx
Yes, i think it's always great to try stuff out of our comfort zone now and again! And I'm with you on the Liberty print front...much too small for my liking usually, but I made an exception for this beauty ;o)
DeleteAwesome pattern for this lovely dress!
ReplyDeleteAaaw, thank you!
DeleteYes. YES!!! This is fantastic!!! I mean, it's so super flattering on you. Love it!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you!
DeleteI love your version of Kim and im totally in love with the fabric!! I think the squared neckline is really cool :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer, the neckline is definitely gorwing on me!
DeleteWhat about wearing it with a round necked cardie done up half way? That would cover some more cleavage, while not covering too much of the lovely lovely print.
ReplyDeleteI hope your grandad is doing ok.
Yep, I think a cardi is the way forward with this dress :o) Granddad's doing better, thanks so much for asking!
DeleteYou look beautiful, as ever. Waving from the neighbour - hilarious!
ReplyDeleteHehe, thanks Karen!
DeleteWhat a pretty dress. I love that fabric.
ReplyDeleteThank you :o)
DeleteOoh looks lovely. Gorgeous pattern - and that print!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen!
DeleteI think it's lovely! I love the animals and such a full skirt in Liberty lawn is so luxurious! I am also short and busty but honestly it hadn't occurred to be that people are probably looking down my dresses all the time. My only real issue with such a low neckline would be that it's November and it looks so cold!
ReplyDeleteHaha, hope I haven't given you a complex Alice! And yes, the cold is what will prevent me from wearing this beauty for a while :o(
DeleteThis is so cool!!! That fabric is awesome. I totally sew out of season too! It's stinking hot hear and I'm dreaming of sewing leggings and a sweater dress. Oh guess what...I'm blogging again! Hope can pop over and check it out x
ReplyDeleteThanks Kat! So good to hear that you're blogging again...will pop over to say 'hello' asap!
DeleteIt looks great! I really like to see new patterns made up before I decide to buy, but my instinct told me to pre - order this pattern and your version makes me glad I did.
ReplyDeleteAaaw, glad to hear it!
DeleteBeautiful dress, fabulous fabric and beautifully made - well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris!
DeleteMarie, this is epic! I love that Liberty hard and I like the slightly higher neckline. As a lady with a fair whack of lady cargo I hear you on higher necklines. This looks lovely on you!
ReplyDeleteThanks a million Amanda. I think the slightly higher neckline makes it more wearble for me :o)
DeleteI love it! The fabric has been on my wish list for some time now. I totally understand about the low front and I don't even have anything to flash. Doesn't stop my male colleagues looking down as they talk to me. Anywhoo, congrats on a beautiful dress
ReplyDeleteThanks my dear! And...erm...you have pervy colleagues :o(
DeleteThat fabric is ace!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteWhat a fit!!! Great job on a sweet dress. Jo x
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo :o)
DeleteGorgeous! I think it looks great on you, and what fun fabric, too. The fit is marvelous! I've been feeling a bit unsure about Kim due to the front neckline myself. Coupled with the fact that I have lots of tattoos on my upper chest, and I'm also quite short, it really is in invitation for "please, do stare right here, thanks!" So I'm still waffling. ;)
ReplyDeleteHehe, waffle away Tasha! It's always interesting to hear people's own take on patterns...I think it would be wicked to show off your tattoos a little more :o)
DeleteOh Marie this is just lovely!! You always look like a stunner in everything you make! But there's something about the fit of the bodice on this one, coupled with the fullness of the skirt that it is really just so SO flattering! I really love the fabric on this one, too - all those pretty colored animals!! EEeeee! I'm glad it was such an easy hack to make the neckline a bit more demure so you're comfortable with it - that's always one of those areas I hate tinkering with! (Although I'm always trying to make things lower cut - classy lass that I am...)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sallie, you always have such a flattering way with words :o)
Deletethis is so flattering on you! love the fabric too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelli!
DeleteArgh - gorgeous! I absolutely love this dress, and that fabric is just fantastic (I'm super jealous!). Oh, and the colour of your lipstick is just perfect x
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks Suzanna...I reckon the wrap skirt version would look killer on you!
DeleteThis is so adorable and flattering! Rock that neckline, girl. You look great! :-D
ReplyDeleteThank you! *blushes*
DeleteThis is so pretty! I've been eyeballing that print for ages... I'm not much of a Liberty girl, but tons of tiny animals?! Yes, please! I LOVE this neckline on you, both the front and the back. I'm hesitant to try it myself as my total lack of cleavage has always made me avoid anything scoop-necked, but this really looks pretty.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same with Liberty print, but this one's a keeper ;o) See, i always wish I wish i had less on display so I would be braver with necklines...the grass is always greener!
DeleteDamn it, I adore this dress!! I'm with you in the buxom department that requires scaffolding and at 5'4" am not exactly statuesque! I'm also quite shameless though so will probably make at least one version that's all a bit 'hello boys!', won't be appropriate for work though - will be great as a date night dress.
ReplyDeleteI adore your fabric choice, that liberty print is to die for. I'm so pleased that it's got the scooped back like Elisalex as that's one of my favourite features of that dress. This is going to be perfect for the summer and will definitely work for the cooler months with tights and a cardi.
Hope your Grandad is doing OK now, big hugs x
Thanks so much Vicki, I hope you get round to making your saucy date-night version soon :o) Granddad's a bit better now thanks!
DeleteYou've used a lovely print for this. I like the neckline of this dress on you. You'll be a hit in the summer wearing this dress.
ReplyDeleteAaaw, thanks lady!
DeleteThis dress looks so flattering on you. Its beautifully made. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much :o)
Delete