Well, hello there, folks!
It’s been a while!
I actually have been sewing, just not too into taking photos lately…. I plan to, and then another week passes me by…. yeah, a little lazy about that, I suppose!
However, I have been busy with household stuff and sorting/cleaning at my grandparents’ house. I’ve found some interesting things, which is odd, as I’ve always been one to look through everything over there and was a very inquisitive child. It’s good to know that there are still surprises!
I want to thank everyone for your kind words on my last post. We laid my grandma to rest last weekend with little fanfare as were her wishes. We had a nice private burial with close family, nice words and beautiful flowers.
I’ve also been planning for an upcoming trip to New England. I was looking through my genealogical research and marking places I wanted to go. I used to travel to NH quite often when my great-grandmother was alive, but haven’t been back since in the 90’s, so it will be awesome to take my husband to my family’s ancestral home in Manchester. My family started settling in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1600’s (some also traveled to the area in the late 1500’s) and includes founders and patriots and I’m planning on visiting some historical places that have more meaning to me now that I know more about my ancestors who lived there. I’ve always known about my colonial relations and have been quite in depth studying the people in my family tree and tracing lines back for centuries. I stopped doing it for a couple of years as it started getting tedious going back that far. And then the other day I found some new links on a line I hadn’t yet followed and found a Salem “witch” on it! Oh, how I wish I knew that when I was in middle school studying the colonies! It’s vastly more interesting to me than all of the lords and ladies and clergymen and sheriff’s on my tree. 🙂
Anyway…. if you happen to be in Boston, Manchester, Portsmouth, Cape Cod or anywhere in between — drop me a line! Perhaps we can meet up for ice tea or something! I tell you what though, I’m really looking forward to proper lobster rolls and have been salivating about it for the many months we’ve been thinking about this trip…. My husband’s family is also from New England and he has never been there! Boy, he’s going to have a good time! 🙂
I know, I’m here to talk about sewing….. I didn’t label this post “My Upcoming New England Trip”, did I?
This is my latest favorite dress: The Felicity Dress by Jennifer Lauren.
Jennifer asked me a couple of months ago if I’d like to make and review this dress. I jumped at the chance, but really didn’t think I’d be as in love with it as I am. I honestly am not sure how new designs are going to look on me until I make them, and this one is a dress that I am now having a love affair with.
[source: Jennifer Lauren]
I never got around to sewing in the hook and eye closure at the top of the zip, so that’s why I have a little gap.
My fabric is a navy embroidered anchor print cotton from Joann’s. I should have been paying attention to where the anchors were when I cut out the bodice or taken the ones on the seam allowance out as there are a couple that look a little strange sewn together on the front center seam. It doesn’t bother me and I *could* adjust the gathers on the bodice if I cared to. I apparently didn’t care to in these photos, so there ya go…
This pattern goes up to a size 24 in Jen’s new expanded size range. I cut about a 22/24, grading between sizes to fit my measurements. I added about an inch to the skirt and did a slight swayback adjustment. I didn’t have to do much more as I’m happy with the fit and I absolutely love wearing this dress. I’ve probably worn it three times now. It’s an easy, cool, comfortable dress and I’m looking forward to sewing up another one soon. I actually have a Japanese linen waiting in the wings for this!
Yes, I’m wearing watermelon earrings
As always, Jen’s instructions are spot on and easy to follow. The PDF went together well and this was a great dress to sew. The only issue I had was the amount of fabric suggested on the pattern. It says to use 1.65 yards for 45″ width fabric. I thought that seemed a bit low for the yardage needed, but thought with the gathered skirt and the front bodice piece being two pieces, that maybe it could be squeezed out. Well…. I purchased 2 yards to be safe and went to lay out my pattern pieces and there wasn’t enough fabric. Thankfully, I purchased this fabric at Joann’s and was able to go back and get some more. It takes more like 2.5 yds for this dress in my size.
This is definitely on my list for a couple more! Love it! <3
Note: I received this pattern in return for a review. These are my honest opinions.
Anchors away, friends!
- Dress: Jennifer Lauren Felicity dress in navy embroidered anchor cotton, made by me
- Belt: Amazon
- Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens Heart sandals
- Earrings: Luxulite
- Sunglasses: Modcloth
Tanya, this dress looks fantastic on you! I wouldn’t have even noticed the anchors on the centre of the bodice if you hadn’t said anything. Love a good red and navy combo!
I liked reading about your trip plans and family heritage. I hope you have a great time on your trip 🙂
Thanks, Vanessa! 🙂
WOW! Your family history in the states goes back really far! It’s pretty cool that have it all recorded. This is a GREAT dress. There’s really no going wrong where a solid nautical theme is incorporated! 😀
I always knew it went far back and was aware of some notable figures on the tree, but it’s been more interesting documenting that myself and finding out where they lived. 🙂
Yeah, I really love this dress. I love wearing it and can’t wait to sew up another one!
Lovely! It looks like a good dress to bring to the Northeast this summer too 🙂 We lived in Boston for three years and I’m starting to get a hankering to visit, such a neat place!
Thanks, Kelly! Yes, I’m certain this one will go in my suitcase! Boston is such a great place to visit. Lots to do around there!
So cute! I wish we lived further north to visit with you! I know that knitting isn’t really your thing, but there are a ton of yarn companies headquartered in New England. Most have a store or a mill/store to visit. In NH there’s Harrisville and in Vermont there’s the Green Mountain Spinnery off the top of my head… Might be worth it to check out. Also from a fabric/cloth perspective you should visit Lowell, Mass site of one of the first mills in the US!
Thanks! 🙂 Yes, it seems like I shouldn’t miss out on the abundance of yarn. I do have a planned cardigan (first sweater to knit!) that is in need of some yarn. The textile mills are definitely on my list. In fact, one of my ancestors owned Faulkner Mills in Billerica.
Love the print! This is going to be sooooo perfect for summer in that Japanese linen! I am a bit obsessed with linen lately…
I may just have to put that linen Felicity higher on the list! It’s fuchsia and has frenchies on it. 🙂
Once again, you have created such a pretty dress! I love the earrings and your red accessories. How exciting for you and your husband to take your trip. Wishing you a wonderful journey and looking forward to hearing about it when you return.
Thanks, Vickie! I was never really a fan of navy and red, so it’s amazing that I’m now quit fond of it!
First off, I need watermelon earrings! Second, I love your dress. That fabric rocks. 🙂 The dress is so gorgeous on you!
I probably wouldn’t have worn the watermelon earrings with this if I wasn’t looking for some more red to add to it, but I really do like it and think I’ll wear these quite a bit! I sure was drawn to this fabric when I saw it, so I’m glad it works! 🙂
Your dress is gorgeous! That print is super cute and looks stunning with the red accessories. Wow, you are really lucky that you can trace your ancesters so far back. Its so fascinating to find out where one’s roots are!
Thanks, Marike! 🙂 I’m fortunate I can trace that side so far on so many lines. Unfortunately, I can’t do that with other sides of my family, but I’m hoping to someday!
I don’t know which is more interesting, your family history or your sewing. Genealogy can be really fascinating, although we don’t have anyone as interesting as you do in our family. I love your dress. It looks very cool, comfortable and beautifully styled as always. Hope that you have a great time on your trip. xx
Geneaology can be really fascinating, can’t it? I’m sure everyone has interesting people on their line somewhere, although I find most people to be interesting. 🙂
You always make such beautiful dresses! I love it. Would this be more of a pattern for an intermediate sewist? Still learning…
Thanks, Natasha! 🙂 I don’t think this is an intermediate pattern. It’s not quite beginner, but the instructions are well presented and easy to follow, so I’m sure you could make it if you fancy the pattern. 🙂
Oh, I love this. You always do such a fantastic job of matching pattern with fabric. I can’t say that any of the other versions of this pattern had grabbed me yet, but I really like yours.
Thanks, Michelle! 🙂 It’s interesting how this pattern is interpreted through different fabrics. I’d love to see it in a striped fabric as the center seams on the bodice could make some interesting designs, although with the gathers, not so sure about that…
Love the anchor print! You look fantastic in these pictures, especially the one at the very end of the post. Very glamorous and happy!
Thank you, Jan! It was honestly difficult taking photos that morning as the sun was too bright and I couldn’t find a good spot for pictures. When I cam across that area by the garden, I was quite happy to find a good place, so I was smiling! 🙂
Super cute dress and it will be perfect for your New England trip! I agree that this pattern didn’t really jump out at me when it was released, but it looks really cute on you. Though, to be honest, I rarely wear fitted woven dresses, I just can’t imagine sitting around in the office in them all day, so I doubt I’ll be buying this pattern even though the size range is great and I really like to support designers who increase their size ranges. It was really interesting to hear all about your ancestral research, I’ve always wanted to know more about my family but I don’t know where to start with all that. Maybe one day!
Thanks, Megan! This dress is quite comfortable though as it’s not overly fitted, so almost as comfy as a knit dress! I don’t want to promote one site above others, but ancestry.com is a good place to start with geneaology. I haven’t got very far on my German side though, unfortunately (only to great-grandparents) and that’s a bit upsetting. But I hope to get further with that someday!
This dress has such a pretty neckline, and it’s perfect for summer! FUN sunglasses, and what an appropriate dress for your destination! I hope you have a fun trip exploring your roots more.
Thanks, Elizabeth! Nautical prints always scream summer to me. I’m sure we will have a splendid trip. I’m hoping to have a new wardrobe to take with me, but we’ll see how far my sewing gets me!
I love, love, love this dress on you! I love the modeled pattern version too, I like the idea of a print and a solid…(or two prints).
Thanks, Laura! 🙂 I love prints and solids together, although I usually put the print on the skirt and the solid on top. I like how Jen switched them up and that’s my favorite of her two versions.
Wowza! This dress is amazing on you, Tanya. The print is super cute and that bodice is divine. Honestly, I was a bit trepidatious about how this pattern would work on a curvier figure, but you’ve sold me. Love, love, love it! So chic & summery.
Thanks, Mary! It’s certainly a fave of mine now! I wasn’t sure about the bodice gathers at first, but I really like them and as I’ve made other dresses with them, I knew it would suit me. I’d love to see this one on you!