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making journal

Linen 1

Linen 2

Linen 3
It's probably a bit early in the year to be making summer dresses, but I finished this black linen one the other day, and it's making me feel excited about the warmer season ahead.

I used a length of crispy black linen with quite a nice weight and crumple to it, and a pattern that I drew up myself and am mostly pleased with. I was going for a kind of vintage-style day dress look, except a bit more loose and organic in feel, and the result is pretty relaxed and less fitted than it could be- I should probably have made it a bit smaller. But that's okay, it will be extra comfortable to wear I suppose. The bodice is shaped with long vertical darts in the front and back, and lined in black cotton lawn, with a zip up the side.

The hem has four rows of hand-stitching in different coloured threads- it's what I was working on here a couple of weeks ago. I would have posted a picture of me wearing the dress, but my legs are whiter than those lilies up the top there, and the contrast was a bit much, (but don't  you love that wild clump of lilies amongst the weeds in our garden?)

I hope your weekend will be a lovely one. Ours will include a party, a ballet show, extra children and some painting (hopefully.) See you next week.

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20 responses to “anticipating summer”

  1. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    The dress is lovely, and the lilies too. When we had American cousins to visit, and toured them around a bit, we had to keep stopping so that they could exclaim over patches of wild lilies and photograph them. A pity we often take them for granted and even regard them as weeds. It’s nice to appreciate them for their simple beauty.

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  2. Eyecatchers & Wind In The Willow Avatar

    LOVE the simply white stitches round the bottom of the dress ~ I like your simply design also, it’s inspired me to do something for summer too!!!!

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  3. Daniela Avatar

    Congratulations Melissa! Your dress looks very pretty!

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  4. Hannah Avatar

    It’s lovely!
    I love the organic feel, I think you got it just right!

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  5. Jill Wignall Avatar

    The dress looks beautiful. Lined garments – you are a clever lady. Enjoy your weekend Melissa. I’ll be emailing you over the weekend to say thank you for the package. x

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  6. Ella Avatar

    Beautiful beautiful. Linen is the best.

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  7. jenni Avatar

    LOL about the white legs…cant wait for hot beach days…your linen dress is lovely..

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  8. Elena Avatar

    The dress is lovely, the kind one can “live in” the whole summer. It’s also great with organic materials that way. And with the embroidery you have your own signature on it. Just perfect. Enjoy your weekend!

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  9. Francesca Avatar

    Beautiful! You designed the perfect pattern for a summer dress.

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  10. Angela Avatar

    That dress is stunning Mel, probably one of my favs, love the hem detail! Lol re: legs…I got my arms out today in the garden & now they have that tight feeling thanks to the first hint of sunburn!

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  11. julie Avatar

    Hi Melissa, the dress is lovely. You can always wear a belt to mark your waist and later wear it with layers in the winter! Happy weekend!

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  12. librarygirl Avatar

    Wow that hand stitching is such a clever little thing that really makes the dress outstanding. Love it.

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  13. Denise | Chez Danisse Avatar

    As our summer ends yours begins… Black linen is so lovely. I learned to sew in the seventh grade, but have done so little since then I fear the skill has just about vanished. Your dress is inspiring. Enjoy the ballet.

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  14. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    Beautiful. I wish we could see the entire dress on you. I know, I am not one who likes photographs of my self. Good work Melissa.

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  15. Nancy Cook Avatar

    really lovely dress.
    have a wonderful weekend. it does sound like it will be a fun one.
    xx

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  16. Anna Avatar

    A beautiful dress, it looks like the type of dress you would wear all summer.

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  17. aqeela Avatar

    While you anticipate Summer we anticipate Autumn here in the middle of England. I love the Autumn so im happy to be over here, but we are having a very warm week or so at the moment here, hotter than ever recorded at this time of year!
    Your dress is lovely, as is all that you do,
    Aqeela xx

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  18. Molly Avatar

    oh golly, the punch of those four rows of stitching is grand! always amazes me, how such simplicity adds such pop. thanks for sharing. i shall remember…
    happy (early) summer!

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  19. rachelle Avatar

    lily’s are my wedding flower. a bunch of them, long stemmed tied with simple raffia ribbon and my black zambesi dress. sixteen years ago. my heart always goes skippity when i see them. glad i stuck to my guns and did my own flowers and chose my dress as i did. i’d do it exactly the same so that’s a testament isn’t it. Black and white are lovely contrasts but cannot wait for that sun to be a bit more permanent in the sky. Thank goodness for daylight savings. x

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  20. tinyhappy Avatar

    love the thought of your wedding outfit + lilies… what a stylish bride you were!
    x

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