I managed to finish my Christmas dress in time for the start of the celebrations. It’s a frankenpattern: the bodice from Simplicity 2444 and the skirt from the Colette Peony. I made a Blackwatch tartan Peony (unclogged) last year but there were multiple issues with the fit of the bodice. I tried my best to tweak it, and it is wearable, but I haven’t made it since as I couldn’t be bothered to try and sort out the fit. I loved the skirt of the Peony though, just a simple A-line. It is supposed to have two sets of gathering at the waistline but I changed these to inverted pleats for a more streamlined look. The fit of my last 2444 was so good that a marriage with the Peony skirt seemed to be a match made in heaven.
My initial plan was to use purple and grey tartan but when I held up the red it just screamed Christmas. I had a bit of a headache trying to match the checks, I finally gave in and realised I couldn’t match both horizontal and vertical so decided to just concentrate on the horizontals. It’s not too bad, the front is OK, the back went a bit squiffy but I can live with it.
from the front…..
….the insides…..
….and a back view
I used red satin bias tape to finish the neckline instead of using the facings, which worked well and is a method I plan to use again in the future. I also bias bound the hem using the same red satin (really love bound hems!)
I really enjoyed making this dress, I managed to do most of it on my birthday. I also got the best present ever from my other half: A 1959 Singer 221 Featherweight, it has all eight feet, original instruction book and even the original tube of oil! I sewed some of my dress with it and it stitches like a dream, just like the old Singer I got for my fifteenth birthday.
So that’s the Christmas dress, I really do love it, suitably festive for the time of year. I really think I may have found a winning combination with this pattern mash-up, there are quite a few sleeve and collar options which come with the 2444 which I might have a play around with. I’ve worn it twice so far; to my work Christmas dinner and to a neighbour’s party and will be wearing it on Christmas day. I’m all done and organised and all that remains is to just enjoy it!
I really hope you all have a fabulous Christmas!
What will you be wearing for Christmas day?
Helen x
Just Sew Therapeutic 
It looks so pretty on you! Have a Merry Christmas!
Thanks Teri, hope you have a lovely Christmas! X
What a FAB dress, fabric and sewing machine – I am envious! Will definitely pinch your hemming idea on a future frock. Have a wonderful Christmas – looking forward to reading about your makes in 2015 x
Thanks Clarinda, think I’ll definitely be binding all my hems from now on! Have a wonderful Christmas! X
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family! Your dress looks very festive!
Thanks Linda, hope you have a fabulous Christmas! X
It looks so lovely on. I hope you have had a really fab day, Merry Christmas!!
Thanks Jenna, had a great day, although the waist on the dress was put under considerable strain as the day went on! Hope you had a lovely day too! X
Happy Christmas! I love your dress – the colours are very Christmassy without being too much to wear at other times of year! The pleats are also very similar to Belladone skirt.
Louise
Thanks Louise, I really like the pleats, they add a bit of flare without the bulk! Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas! X
OMG that sewing machine is gorgeous! The dress looks fantastic – and I think the pleats were a great choice over the gathers. Definitely give it a professional look. Great job!
Thank you, the little Singer is a delight to sew with, I’m using it to sew a shirt at the moment, so much quieter than my modern one!
What a great Christmas Dress!! It looks really lovely on you. Matching plaids is one of my least favourite things to do – you did a great job!
Hope you had a lovely Christmas!
Thanks Heather! I’m glad it’s not just me that gets a headache matching Plaid! Really enjoyed wearing the dress over Christmas Hope you had a good one! X