A House Dress?

Hello lovely sewing people!

How are you? I'm officially laid off from work. It is with mixed feelings that I have some time to be in the sewing workspace. Absolute joy to be sewing again mixed with the normal stress over being laid-off. Oh well, it is what it is, and I'll just have to make the best of it.  So, I'm sewing.

Mama R requested another "housedress" a few months ago. So this project became a priority now that I have some free time. Just one problem, I think it is too nice to be a "housedress."

Webster defines a housedress as "a dress with simple lines that is suitable for housework and is made usually of washable fabric."

Housedress {Source}

I don't see this latest dress for Mama R as a housedress. Yes, it is made out of a washable fabric but I wouldn't call it a garment with simple lines. The pattern is Mama R's favourite, Simplicity 2372, with those beautiful tucks at the sleeve and neckline that give it a lovely shape. And there is nothing simple about the lined pockets on this dress.

Show me a housedress that has lined pockets. The pattern had the usual adjustments and design changes done. 

• Remove the centre front seam and cut on the fold.
• Insert an invisible zipper in the back.
• Sleeve adjustment to the length and sizing.  
• Patch pocket, this time I lined the pocket.  
• Shorten the hem length.

So, I failed on making Mama R a housedress but I think I made a fine looking dress. And check out those pockets.

The fabric is a medium-weight 100% cotton that I found in Fabricland's home decor department. It has been at the store for years while I admired it and patiently waited for it to come down in price. And the day finally came that I brought home enough to make myself a dress. When Mama R admired it, how could I say no. So I went back to the store and pick up some more yardage. You didn't expect me to give up my yardage, did you? Who knows, there might be a Mom & Me photoshoot in the near future. Just kidding.  

Back to the fabric... this exclusive Fabricland print was pre-treated with a tumble in the washing machine followed by one in the dryer. The cotton required a pressing prior to cutting and I have to say, this fabric handled the pretreatment process wonderfully.  

The Stats:

Fabric:    2.2 metres 100% medium weight cotton

Zipper:    22" invisible zipper

Basting Tape:  44" two-sided basting tape

Interfacing:  0.10 metres

Lining:     0.20 metres

Pattern:    Simplicity 2372

Thread:    100% polyester

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Janome sewing machine, blind hem foot, invisible zipper foot, zipper foot, serger, scissors, iron, ironing board, measuring tape, tailor's ham, pins, wrist pin cushion, breaks, coffee, and tunes.

Now, I still have to make Mama a housedress.

Happy Sewing!