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.