Saturday, July 18, 2015

Alameda Dress from Pauline Alice Patterns

Enough with the sneak peeks on this outfit, right? I put the last stitch on the hem about 2 weeks ago but it took a while to get some photos organized, and I thought this deserved something better than my usual photos. My pal Alice can be counted on to take my best blog photos and she is always on the lookout for a stray thread or the odd wrinkle. Now that is a good friend, right?

Alameda outfit on me

This is the Alameda dress from Pauline Alice patterns. I actually didn't take any photos of this while sewing, it is fairly straightforward in construction. Most all of the fitting was done as I sewed it up. I chose a skirt size based on my hip measurement and it was a bit on the big size, both all over and especially the waist - however all those princess seams in the skirt allow you to shape the waist/hips to get a great fit. After doing that it was a smudge big around the hips also, but since the zipper goes in last its an opportunity to take a larger center back seam.

Alameda on form frontAlameda on form back

If you have read my blog for a while then you know I don't sew very many indie patterns, I don't see many that are interesting or different from patterns I have. But I always noticed the Pauline Alice patterns and thought they had some interesting details, a little more complexity than is often seen. By the way, her patterns are very high quality, the paper is bright white and a good thickness which makes it easy to trace onto tissue (which I always do when using this type of pattern). The instructions seem thorough as well, and in 3 languages.

Alameda dress pattern envelope

When she came out with this Alameda dress/2-piece pattern I thought it was very pretty but noticed that on her website there was no line drawing. So I just figured I would email her and tell her that as a  long time pattern buyer I would not buy a pattern where I couldn't first look at the technical drawing and she should consider putting those on her site. Maybe that sounded a bit, I dunno, pushy? or helpful? Anyway - she wrote back immediately and uploaded the technical drawings. And then we became acquainted via email. Long story short she asked me to be a tester for a new coat pattern and I usually tell people no, but she enticed me by sending a photo of her own test version of the Quart coat pattern. So I replied Yes! as that coat is so fantastic. I did test it and gave her some info on the pattern, particularly in the sleeves which she appreciated. And then I did make a real version of the Quart coat for a friend of mine.


I have had this pattern for a while and decided that as soon as the weather warmed up I would make it. Which sent me searching through my fabrics to see if I had anything suitable, and this cotton sateen I bought at Stone Mountain last summer seemed like a good choice.

Alameda skirt on form

The colors are more visible here and you can hopefully see the seaming and pockets. The fabric is actually navy blue, green and white. I think it is one of those "you either love it or hate it" fabrics but now that it is finished I love it. I chose to make the two piece version of this pattern as I figured I could wear the skirt on its own with a solid top.

Yes, it is the two piece version of the pattern though it might not appear so in that first photo. See, I'm showing you here. The things I do for you!

Alameda crop view

The only major modification on this outfit sticks with the idea on the pattern, but in practice I didn't use all the pattern. Because I had the pattern pieces out which I used for this dress - which you should go look at as it is one of my favorites and has a lot of fitting info. Anyway...I thought hmmm, that top part fits so well, the shape is similar, and I figured out the shoulders/armhole etc. so oh heck, why not use that for the crop top portion. So I did. Any I bet you would not have noticed had I not told you.
Although I did modify those pattern shapes to match this pattern more, by deepening the front neckline, and then making it a pull over the head top with the zipper opening at the waist. You can just see the zipper tab at the bottom there. Which gives a super clean finish on the neckline and armholes of the top. So another clever idea. And apologies to Pauline Alice for not using all her pattern pieces but close enough.

Alameda top back zipper on form

Too many pictures?

Alameda 2-piece

I should have taken some without my hands in the pockets. But you know that pockets like these are irresistible. And if you like skirts with a flounce then I highly recommend. I know the flounce is not for everyone but I have always liked it and this has a great amount of flounce. Is that a thing you can measure?  maybe not, but sewing satisfaction, this one is a winner.

Flounce skirt

Happy weekend sewing, I am off to our Bay area Sewing meet up group on Sat. where myself and 3 other local seamsters will be talking about blogging (how we got started, surprises, challenges, changes over time, advice and then some show and tell of things we have sewn). Always fun to talk sewing with like minded obsessives!

Beth

Today's SunnyGal garden photo, one perfect gardenia. The fragrance by the front door is intoxicating when the bushes are in full bloom. They only last a day or so, which maybe makes them all the more beautiful.

June flowers

26 comments:

  1. Ooh Beth, I love this! Lovely fabric and shape on you. Cute pictures!

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  2. That is a beautiful outfit. I would have never guessed it was 2 pieces.

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  3. Love the fabric & the two piece dress. I've now put this pattern on my list!

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  4. Dress looks fantastic & I love that it's a 2 piece! That makes it seem so comfortable and versatile!

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  5. This turned out great. Thanks for being an indie pattern guinea pig! Have fun at the meet-up!

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  6. This is a great dress and looks great on you!

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  7. Great fit, and super cute,Beth! I have the same thoughts as you regarding Indie patterns, and rarely buy most, but agree that Pauline Alice has some great styles. I'd love to try that Quart coat. Yours was stunning.

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  8. I need Alice in my life! I have to wait on my son to take the photos because he has no stand or remote and then he wants to moan about that, lol. That is such a cute dress and you look great as always.

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  9. Love the outfit, and love the gardenia!!!

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  10. I really like this! Great fabric!

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  11. Beth, you never can post enough pictures wearing an outfit that so well fitting and full of life.

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  12. Everything about this 2 piece dress is just right. I love the fabric and pictures always draw me in. Have fun at your meet up this weekend!

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  13. Oh that gardenia...the scent came so quickly to mind. Beautiful.

    And the dress. Honestly, I've passed on the pattern for various reasons - but I really love what you've done with it. I didn't even know it had a 2-piece option! I just looked at the pics and moved on. Yours is wonderful, great fabric choice. Thanks for this post.

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  14. Pin that Gardenia in your hair and you will be a perfect picture of summer! The dress is just darling and being a 2 piece just makes it so modern and special. Great fit and of course, great fabric!

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  15. This dress was a good tease to waist for you to share. I love the fabric and your 2-pc choice of style. Your photographer/friend captured perfect pics.

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  16. This is really, really cute! And ohhhh, your gardenia!!!

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  17. "Maybe that sounded a bit, I dunno, pushy? or helpful? " INCREDIBLY HELPFUL!!! oh, i worked in customer service for years and nothing is more disheartening than finding out a customer had a very easily fixed problem only AFTER they had complained to everybody else in the market except you (the person actually in a position to make changes for them). Thank you on behalf of customer service peeps everywhere :)

    oh, you look so cute! I love the teal in that print, so pretty with your hair. And, along with the two-pieceing, makes this look very modern and fresh. Just bought the Xerea dress for my mom, exciting to see another smashing Pauline Alice make!

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  18. Hi, the dress is very beautiful, stylish and cute. I like the gardenia and really it is great this 2 pieces dress. This is designed with wonderful dressmaking paper. In first photo, it is looking 1 piece. Thanks for share with us cute dress.

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  19. What a lovely dress!! The picures are great too!! I'm not much of a flounce person, but I can't say that I'm not tempted...

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  20. What a lovely dress!! The picures are great too!! I'm not much of a flounce person, but I can't say that I'm not tempted...

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  21. Definitely worth the wait, this is such a pretty outfit. (I'm dreaming of the day when my skills are more developed.) Then I dared to check out the Quart Coat post. I may be 80 before I get to that level. It's gorgeous, lucky young lady who owns it.

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  22. I love this outfit, the fabric is really great! Looks beautiful on you and perfect for those warmer weather days. That's was great that you could be a pattern tester for her I'm sure she really appreciated that. The jacket ended up being incredible too but that's a different story. Well done on this beautiful little outfit but as normal your outfits are always fantastic!

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  23. Very pretty and just love your print.

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  24. The title threw me a bit, but I really thought this was a, well a dress (one piece). It looks really lovely and I think the fabric is divine, you can easily split these pieces up and wear them with solid coloured separates, super versatile!

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  25. i love your version! fantastic! & the fabric is awesome, too! the flowers on your post are a sweet addition :)

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