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Sunday, July 21, 2013

Fair Isle Hazel

Well, even though I had my camera with me last night, I didn't remember to take a single picture at the beautiful beach house we visited.  So it's a good thing I'd taken some "just-in-case" snaps before we left!

Here's my new dress, along with the accessories I wore with it:


I'm really happy with how the dress turned out, but it ended up being kind of a pain getting there.  My first two Hazels were underlined because of the types of fabrics I used.  This fabric was more opaque than the others, so I didn't need the underlining for modesty's sake, and decided that going without it would give me a lighter, hot-weather Hazel.  But this is quilting cotton:  its mildly stretchy nature caused my bodice to have a looser fit than my last dress (also of quilting cotton) because I didn't have the underlining to stabilize it.  I ended up having to take the back in by 1/4" at each side of the zipper to eliminate bagginess in the bust.  I had really thought that the stay-stitching would lend enough stability, but this time it ended up not being the case.

I also had a terrible time with the zipper.  I used a different brand from what I'm used to, and it just didn't want to stay pressed flat, causing me to stitch into the teeth.  I had to pick it out and redo it FOUR times!  So by the time I'd finished the dress, I was really ready to be finished!

I paid attention to the pattern and made sure the design was centered in the bodice and that the horizontal motifs lined up at the side seams.  There's a little jog at the center back seam but otherwise everything is lined up.  I'm very happy with the outcome and think this fabric works really well for this pattern.

I knew it would be cooling off in the evening, so I took along an old safari-style jacket and hat.  I really like how the outfit came together:


And here's a closer look at my accessories:

hat from Anthropologie (old), bangles from J. Crew (old) and Sam Edelman Trina sandals

I'm totally in love with these sandals.  I'd been coveting them for a while, so when they went on sale a month or so ago, I went for it.  The heel is metallic silver!  And they're actually quite comfortable.  And of course, they go with my leopard mani ;-)

I know I said this before, but I think I am actually ready to set this pattern aside for now.  Hubby has requested a summer shirt, so that's next on my list. 



41 comments:

  1. Misouri sana! (Very good in Swahili) I love it!

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    1. Asante! (Thank you in Swahili - thanks to Google Translate!!)

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  2. Such a beautiful dress! This dress pattern really becomes you. And how cleverly accessorized, outstanding outfit!

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  3. I love that print! It must have been a bit frustrating to have fitting trouble on your third iteration, but it turned out really great. Cute outfit too!

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    1. Thanks, Kelly! Yes - it was frustrating! I had to set it aside for a day and regroup before fixing it!

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  4. This style suits you so well Gail. And yet again, you've done an amazing job accessorising the dress.

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  5. Queen of hazels! Love the hat by the way :)

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    1. Thank you! I hardly have anything that goes with this hat, so I was pretty psyched about getting to wear it with this dress!

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  6. You look fab, my friend is an animal print fan, she will just love your whole outfit :)

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    1. Thank you! I don't quite have the guts for an all-over animal print, but I do like little bits of it!

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  7. Love the way the pattern meets in the front. Nice work, Gail!

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    1. Thank you! I wish I could say I planned it that way, but it was really serendipity!

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  8. Gorgeous !! Love the way you styled it and love the shoes !! You really are the queen of the hazel Gail :). Xx

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    1. Thank you! Aren't the shoes great? I'm so tempted to get another color, but so far I've managed to hold myself back!

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  9. I love the Hazel in this fabric and your accessories really make the outfit! I've been looking at these same shoes online for a while now too. What pattern are you using for your husband's shirt?

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    1. Thanks, Shar! I think these shoes are a win - I say go for it!

      I haven't decided yet which pattern to use for Hubby's shirt. I have several, and I'm going to go through them today or tomorrow and choose.

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  10. This dress is super cute. I really like the pattern on your fabric, it's so eye-catching!

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  11. You must have been a designer in another life! Love it all.

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  12. Very pretty :) This style dress is super flattering on you. And you know I love those shoes, lol!

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  13. Love this! And good for you with the hat - I want o be a person who accessorizes with hats but I can't seem to get there.

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    1. Thanks, Lisa! I love hats and I have a ton of them, but honestly, most of the time (in summer) it's too hot to wear them!

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  14. love this version! funny, i never would have paired that fabric with that pattern, but the geometric shapes work really well! good looking outfit :)

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    1. Thanks, girl! After all the waffling back and forth, I think I ended up picking the right pattern for this print! I really love it!

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  15. You are a very, very bad girl. I've bought one pair of shoes this summer because of one of your posts and I just might buy a second pair. I must say though that the pair I bought are fabulously comfortable and I love them. But still!!!!!
    Very cute dress dispute the issues :)

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    1. Hehehe - oops! Sorry! But these are so cool! I won't blame you if you cave!

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  16. I love this look!! Excellent styling, Gail. : )

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  17. What gorgeous fabric. I'm loving all the styling photos. What a great idea. I tend to wear the same things together more often than not. Styling a new garment definitely helps thinking outside the box.

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    1. Thanks, Mela! Truth be told, when I do actually put on an outfit, I tend to do the same - wearing the same things together! But my mind loves to make up new outfits and see what goes together!

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  18. Love this dress! It looks so cute on you-- what a great print!

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  19. I recently bought and printed the download for the Hazel dress and just read through ALL your posts re: your different versions. Thank you so much for the SBA information, the clear photos and the detailed commentary! Ironically, I have to SBA for Colette but FBA for Sewaholic, LOL!

    Also want to add that I LOVE YOUR SHOES!!! All the ones shown in the Hazel posts are just too delicious!

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    1. Thank you so much! I'm really happy there was some useful information in there for you!

      That's crazy about the SBA & FBAs you have to do for the different pattern lines - I've never heard anyone say that before!

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