I have made a dress for christmas … ok, I missed the deadline but it’s all finished now!
For ages I’ve had a yearning to make a dress from Blackwatch tartan and Christmas was the perfect excuse to indulge in my little fantasy. For the pattern, I couldn’t decide between the Simplicity 2444 or By Hand London’s Elisalex. Seriously, it took me ages to choose but in the end and at the risk of looking like Barbara Woodhouse, I went all traditional, saving the Elisalex for my crazy curtain fabric. I know I’ve made too many of these already but I did line this one …
In fact this is my 6th 2444, but I couldn’t resist one more in tartan. This Blackwatch is from ebay and is a viscose and polyester mix. At £4 per metre, I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was great, lovely to sew and paired with the green anti static lining (also ebay), it worked a treat. I’ve never lined a dress before, so this was a bit of a learning curve, but it was worth the effort and it feels quite lovely when it’s on.
This was a ‘sew as and when’ kind of dress as the lead up to Christmas was hectic. I felt frustrated at times that I couldn’t get lost in it but then realised that it didn’t matter if it wasn’t finished and just saw it as the relaxing distraction it should’ve been all along.
This morning, with my lovely family off and away and some time on my own, I finished the hand-stitching (quite a lot in a lined bodice I discovered!) and hemmed it. Christmas may be over but I reckon I’ll wear this a lot throughout the winter.
Right, off to watch the final episode of Death Comes To Pemberley in front of the log fire with my boys and girl, a truck load of chocolate and a G&T. Happy Christmas to you all (as late as the dress) and a Happy New Year!
sylkotwist 
Your dress is beautiful. I love the small checks on the tartan, and the lining is fab, and it goes really well with your belt. I’m a big copy cat, and stole this idea when you mentioned it before. I cut mine out yesterday, but my tartan has much bigger checks so we won’t be like twins! I hope mine turns out a nice as yours.
Thank you so much Lynne, I’m looking forward to seeing yours, hope it’s going well!
Looks just lovely, this pattern really suits you. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year x
Thank you Lizzy and the same to you too! I must try something new soon though or I’ll start to get bored with it and we can’t have that!
Beautiful dress and beautiful job. Loving the tartan plaid.
Thank you so much! I’ve just been looking at your blog, such beautiful quilts!
Gorgeous, love everything about it!
Thank you so much!
A pretty winter dress & so wearable. “Death Comes to Pemberley” was brilliant. I loved the costumes too.
Oh weren’t the costumes gorgeous. I loved the way they used the fabric colours against a backdrop of similar coloured wallpaper, just heavenly! You’ve been making some lovely clothes, your jacket is especially fab!
What a fab dress, you’ll get lots of wear out of it over the winter. I need to catch Death Comes to Pemberley on iplayer.
Thank you! I hope you managed to see it!?
This dress pattern is made for plaid I think as its darts don’t obviously skew the checks. Enjoy Pemberley and g&ts… sounds like a wonderful day
Thank you! You’re right, I’ve know idea why I didn’t think of tartan before!
I love this! perfect for Christmas and the lining looks so great!
Thank you so much! The lining was feels nice too, I shall be lining everything now!
I would live in this dress if I had one. It’s fantastic. I love the tartan. And, the style is perfect for any occasion.
Aw, thank you! You must make one then!
Every time I see another one of your 2444’s I think to myself I must get round to buying this pattern. Your choice of tartan fabric is inspired.
Gosh that is gorgeous! I LOVE the fabric, so elegant 🙂