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Sunday 8 April 2012

Cherry Blossom Dress + Give Away Winners!

Julia Bobbin, rose sleeves

It's officially Autumn in Australia and the warmer fabrics in my fabric stash are starting to come out of their hibernation. It was just the other day when I heard a sleepy, muffled voice coming from the fabric cupboard saying "Gee, what does a wool faille have to do around here to get made into something".

What I am looking forward to for the upcoming cooler season is sewing with more winter fabrics like wool faille and heavier cottons.
What I'm not looking forward to for the upcoming cooler season? Being cold.

Hello indoor heating.

So I'm taking inspiration from Washington D.C. for my latest, admittedly quirky creation. There in D.C. the weather was warm and cheery. On my recent visit to Washington D.C. I was not only in awe of the marvellous fabric that I purchased, but of the beautiful cherry blossom which was in full bloom.

But before I assault you with my many, many finished project photos, let's talk ...


Give-Away Winners!

There are two winners today from two different giveaways, the lipstick red wool crepe fabric and the $25 gift voucher for Patterns From the Past an online store for vintage sewing patterns.

Both of these winners were chosen at random using www.random.org

And the winners are:

2 yards of red wool Crepe
Brianna from the blog Brianna auf Deutsch


$25 Gift voucher to spend at Patterns From the Past
Sassy T from the blog Sassy T Sews

Congratulations ladies! I will be in contact with you shortly with details!

Now back to the dress!

I made the sleeves resemble blossom in honour of the beautiful cherry blossom we saw in D.C.

 Julia Bobbin, Vogue 8280

I made the sleeves the same as my A rose is a rose, is a rose, is a rose dress which you can see here. Once you know how to make them it's so easy, and no hand stitching! True story!

Julia Bobbin, ruffled rose sleeves

If you're interested in making sleeves like these yourself, you can watch my Rose Sleeve Tutorial

Julia Bobbin, Vogue 8280, ruffled rose sleevesJulia Bobbin, ruffled rose sleeves, vogue 8280

 I used silk dupion for the skirt, and for the bodice and sleeves I used pink cotton/lame blend which was left over from my Cotton Candy dress.

Julia Bobbin, Vogue

Ruffled rose sleeves, vogue 8280

I once again employed the use of an elastic band for the waist which accentuates the smallness of the middle against the hips and encourages that vintage silhouette.

Ruffled rose sleeves, vogue 8280, Julia Bobbin

Julia Bobbin, Vogue 8280, ruffled rose sleeves

I clashed the pink with the red which gives quite a quirky look which I'm sure is not for some, but heck, I like it!

 Vogue 8280, ruffled rose sleeves, Julia BobbinJulia Bobbin, Vogue 8280, ruffled rose sleeves

It also reminds me of the cartoon character Strawberry Shortcake, which makes me happy in an inexplicable way. Every one should have a strawberry hat. Seriously.


I love how the ruffles on the sleeves resemble flowers. This dress will be a good pick-me-up when it really starts getting cold here in Melbourne.

 Julia Bobbin, Vogue 8280, ruffled rose sleeves
 Julia Bobbin, Vogue 8280, ruffled Rose Sleeves

For the bodice of this dress I used Vogue pattern 8280, the galaxy dress! See my previous dress I made using the galaxy dress pattern here. I used view B with the sweet heart shaped neckline.
I substituted my own drafted sleeves for the base of the rose sleeves.

 Ruffled rose sleeves, Julia Bobbin, Vogue 8280 Julia Bobbin, ruffled rose sleeves, vogue 8280

The skirt I used a simple 3/4 circle skirt and cut it on the bias for extra flare. This helped the skirt kick out at the hem.

Julia Bobbin, Vogue 8280, ruffled rose sleeves Julia Bobbin, Ruffled rose sleeves, Vogue 8280
  

This dress is pretty unique, in fact so 'unique' that I'll probably never have the guts to wear it out in public. But I do love how pretty and girly it looks and I'm pleased with how it turned out.

On a side note, I was very happy to be featured in the Pattern Review blog as the member in Focus! If you're curious you can check out my interview here. Thanks Pattern Review!


Happy Easter everyone!

All the best to you and yours xxx

Julia Bobbin, Vogue 8280, ruffled rose sleeves



  

36 comments:

  1. une robe de poupée, difficile à porter dans la rue mais si jolie.

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  2. such a cute dress, don't leave it stuck in the closet! i'm quite a fan of the red/pink combo as well. my little girls are in love with the your sleeves and are now requesting i make them rose sleeved dresses... :)

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  3. You HAVE to wear that out in public! It's drop-dead gorgeous! My goodness, you are a talented lady! It's fantastic, and if anyone (on either hemisphere) could pull it off, it's you!

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    1. Oh Suzanne you are ace! Thanks for your encouragement x

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  4. oh I love it! It is begging to be taken out on the town for a spin!! You look gorgeous in it - so much fun!

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    1. Thanks Susan! Maybe I'll wait until it's really really dark outside and then I'll wear it ;)

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  5. I'm so thankful to have won the giveaway!!! This is the first time I've ever won one. :) Thank you so much for such a lovely giveaway! I don't blog about sewing (or anything anymore, really), but I'll be sure to send you some pictures of whatever lovely thing I make with that amazing fabric!

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    1. Yaya! Please do send me a pic! I just emailed you too with more details! Hope you're having a lovely weekend :)

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  6. Gorgeous! I love this! I've always blamed my love for red + pink together on my childhood obsession with Strawberry Shortcake. :)

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    1. It has had a psychological effect on us all. Thanks Ginger x

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  7. Love the colour combination! I will buy the dress off you if you never wear it in public!

    I have a sewing question for you... love all of the vintage inspired dresses that you make, and I am in the process of learning to sew. I am currently breast feeding, what would you suggest on how to alter your style of necklines so as I can still wear vintage style dresses?

    iliska3@hotmail.com

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  8. Oh My God. I just clicked into my blog, saw you had done a new post and thought sleepily (00.37 here), I will check out this cherry blossom post before bed, did not even reference the giveaway. Saw my name in bold letters and thought hey what's this? I cannot believe I have won a giveaway. Am going to bed a happy gal. You have inspired me to finish my bag (see blog "bag of horrors" lol) lost my sewing mojo but am now inspired to the hilt . Yeeee haaaa.

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  9. what a gorgeous dress Julia :)

    it would be perfect to wear during the spring racing carnival :)

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  10. IT looks wonderful on you Julia - it would be a great party dress. I think some shades of pink and red would be horrible, but this pink and red is very pretty.

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  11. You look great! I love those sleeves!

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  12. Ultra cute!
    I enjoyed your interview with Pattern review, congratulations on being the member in focus! Your responses are always a breath of fresh air, and it's always fun to read more about you...

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  13. Adorable! I would totally wear this in public but then 'm not your typical gal. You look smashing and sweet.

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  14. Oh, Julia, that's so sweet! I love it. Happy Fall! (And Happy Spring to me, I do so love the cherry trees in bloom...)

    strugglesewsastraightseam.wordpress.com

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  15. Wear it, wear it, wear it!!!! You look far too pretty in that dress to let is sadly sit in a closet!

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  16. You know what, I was watching New Girl the other day, and she wore an outfit that had nearly the same colours. I thought "wow, that's an unexpectedly amazing colour combo". Yours is too! Wear it, most definitely!

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  17. I love those flowers sleeves, I have to try them myself ( thanks for the tutorial!) And you should wear that dress out in the street, it's worth it. Dresses shouldn't stay in the closet...

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  18. Love the sleeves on the dress and the colours are beautiful!

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  19. Hi Julia, Those colours are gorgeous and the sleeves are divine. I just watched your rose sleeves tutorial - you did a great job with explaining everything. Not sure I am ready to try the sleeves yet. Hope you had a nice break for Easter - on Good Friday I made myself a skirt in 30 minutes & it looks pretty good!
    Looking forward to your next creation.
    Best regards,
    Lorraine
    Lorraine

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  20. Very cute lady - you need to have a garden party :o)

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  21. come on now, you feisty flower. you have to wear this out. i think zo's garden party idea is perfect.

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  22. Jeeeze Looouise...that is one cute dress. I love the colours, the fabric, the fit and the sleeves. You go girl!

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  23. So cute and very clever!

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  24. That dress is absolutely gorgeous! I love the colour scheme and the shoulders are adorable! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.co.uk/

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  25. Yes! You must find (or invent) an occasion for this lovely. Even if it means you have to produce, direct, and star in the live action version of Strawberry Shortcake: Aussie Edition ;-).

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  26. So so lovely! The sleeves are absolutely the best! I hope you find somewhere to wear this to. It would be a shame if it sat in your closet for the rest of it's life. It's too pretty to be in there!

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  27. Absolutely adorable. You could totally pull off wearing this color combo! Love your site. So glad you were featured on Pattern Review. My blog-reading time would be boring without you. :)

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  28. so i read that you said you wouldn't have the guts to wear it in public, then i saw this... http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelseygenna
    it would seem you are not the only person clashing red with pink - i reckon you should definitely wear your stunner of a dress and have no shame, it's beautiful.

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  29. I love your Rose Sleeves and I covet them so much, but having discovered I am an inverted triangle shape I despair of ever wearing them. They look beautiful on your dress!!!

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