Spring Belladone Dress and a Garden Update!

If you guys aren't converted to Deer & Doe patterns from my Datura blouse, maybe this post will convince you.  Because this dress--the Belladone dress, from Paunnet fame--is the nicest, most flattering, least frustrating dress ever.  Seriously!  It was actually a pleasure to sew, and I never say that. Usually by the end of a project I'm so ready to be done I vow to never wear the damn thing.

Woo!  Super dark picture from bad lighting!

Nick worked overtime tonight--funny story, he had to come home early anyway because there was a snake outside the house which rendered me scared and paralyzed--so I had to set up my own little photography studio outside.  This meant I dragged an empty hamper to the back patio, turned it upside-down, and stacked pot drainers on top until I thought it was tall enough for the camera.  It wasn't, really, but I'm resourceful and really just wanted to take the pictures and get on with my life.

I used another print from Timber & Leaf, so hopefully you aren't tired of Sarah Watts yet, because I'm sure not!  Again, I have nothing but nice things to say about Blend fabrics.  They're so soft and so great to work with!

I did wear this dress to work today, so if it looks wrinkled, that's why.  Also there was a breeze and I'm wearing cotton underwear, so there's a lot going on, okay?

Look at those chubby arms!  Yikes!

I really did enjoy every bit of this pattern.  It was extremely well-written, and everything came together beautifully.  If I could change one thing--and I will, because I plan to make more--I'd sew the top of the dress for about an inch before inserting the zipper.  I find hook-and-eyes tedious and I could have easily avoided it.

Action shot!

So get thee to a stockist, now, and make this dress.  It's so perfect for spring and summer!  I'm trying to think of what print I'll use next.  Hmm...all of them?

In garden news...

...my Green Arrow peas have flowers, but my sweet peas do not...

...my watermelon are about two inches high...

...Puddin' is a weirdo...

...my pumpkins are out of control!...

...the Fresh Salsa hybrid tomatoes are the only ones with flowers...

...the ranunculus and anemone are sad as can be.  Anyone have any ideas?...

...and we still look pretty crazy over here on Sposetta farm.  How are your plants?

Finished Datura Blouse!

I don't have a major update today.  Honestly, I debated starting another project, just so I'd have more to talk about!  But then I couldn't decide what to make (...again) so I figured if I spent some time blogging it would clear my mind enough to come to a conclusion on my next project.

So far?  Nothing.

Last weekend, after making a quilt, I started on my Deer & Doe Datura blouse.  I'm sure you're familiar with Deer & Doe by now, as they're all over sewing blogs, but I finally bought a couple patterns (Datura and Belladone, a dress).  They're adorable French patterns, similar to Colette Patterns in style--vintage-y and feminine--but French, so that makes them better, right?  Maybe not better, but at least as good, I think.  And I was able to buy the English translation of the patterns, so that's a major plus.

I can't get fabric to lay right on this mannequin ever.  Anyone have any tips?

I used two prints from Sarah Watt's Timber & Leaf collection.  If you remember, I used Timber & Leaf for my Amy Butler Lotus tunic at the beginning of the year and loved it.  The fabrics (from Blend) are so soft!  And they get softer with each wash.  I get it that they're made for a quilt, but I love them for apparel!

I chose the second view, with the Peter Pan collar.  I'm starting to wonder how much clothing I can own with Peter Pan collars before someone steps in?  Let me know before the intervention and I'll clean out my closet.

The pattern is rated advanced, and while I don't know that it's appropriate for view B, I will say the instructions weren't super helpful.  I know how to make a shirt by now, so I could guide myself for the most part, but there were parts that had me scratching my head, such as attaching the yokes.  I glossed over that, did it the way I knew, and everything turned out fine.

I did take a major shortcut and not make buttonholes.  I just didn't feel like it, and I'm running out of thread, so most likely I'd have made one hole and then been annoyed that I would need a trip to JoAnn's before making the other two.  If I notice it's hard to wear without the buttonhole ease, I'll go back and fix it.  Sometimes you just want to be lazy.

So now I'm wondering what to start next?  I have fabric pulled for a Belladone dress, a Sewaholic Alma, and another shirtdress.  What do you think?  And have you used Deer & Doe before?