First FO for the New Year

This was almost my last FO for 2014, but there were errands to run for New Year's Eve. And then my photographer was laid low by a nasty flu, poor Man.

Front view

We've been having a cold snap here on the Central Coast, so this is not seasonal sewing. I've planned a flannel Archer and a red cowl-neck Renfrew, but this dress somehow jumped the line.

Cover shot. There are a couple more patterns in here I'm itching to try

The pattern is from Gretchen Hirsch's book, "Gertie Sews Vintage Casual."

Side view

I've been wanting to add an every-day wrap dress to my closet as part of my plan to work dresses into my daily wardrobe. Gertie describes the pattern as a wrap dress with retro features - a shawl-like collar, a slightly full skirt and gathers at the front shoulder. Also included are in-seam pockets.

Back view

I made the pattern up just like Gertie said, except I did pleats rather than gathers at the front shoulder and waist. As a brick, I'm always trying to reduce fluff around my middle.

I'm in between Gertie's size 4 (34" bust) and size 6 (36" bust). I decided to do a straight size 4, figuring the wrapping would give me some leeway and better the bust be a bit on the snug side to avoid any potential gaping. The wrap doesn't gape at all, and I bet it wouldn't have even if I'd gone up a size. I really like how the neckline sits. I'll feel totally comfortable wearing this dress to work.

Side view with pocket

Sophie-Lee, who blogs over at Two Random Words, made this dress up in a floral lawn.  It really flows nicely in a light, drapey fabric.

I used a fairly substantial cotton - maybe a bit too substantial, but I fell in love with the colors. The pleats at the waist and the weight of the fabric make the skirt stand out a bit, which I think I kind of like.

I like my skirts to hit below the knee. This skirt ended up just right, but I took the smallest hem I could get away with. If you give this one a try and you are taller than 5'2", you might want to add a bit of length when cutting out.

I'm going to be taking part in the 2015 Stashbusting Sewalong, hosted by EmSewCrazy, so I diligently pawed through the stash to see if I had a piece of woven fabric that I could use for this project. Turns out my woven stash is all in lengths of 2 yards or less (darn my penny-pinching fabric buying ways). So I admit that for this project I headed to Harts and burned through my holiday gift certificate from my son (thank you Evan!).

Now, when it comes to knit stash, it's a different story. Knits, I'm drowning in.

Another front view, with fish

My pattern review is over at PatternReview.com here.