Several months ago I bought a beautiful length of navy handkerchief linen, planning to use it for this dress. However, the coat dress pattern envelope calls for medium-weight fabrics such as twill or tweed, and hanky linen is very lightweight. I purchased this type of linen rather than regular linen because its texture is much finer (so fine, in fact, that it's almost sheer!). I kept telling myself that I could make it work, but deep down inside I knew that this type of fabric really doesn't have enough body to make this dress a success. I love the pattern, and I love the fabric, but I know they aren't right for each other. The linen was rather pricey, so I've decided that I'd rather wait for a better fabric to cross my path than be disappointed by the outcome of this garment. I'll still be using this pattern, but the project will be on hold until I find a material that is better suited to the design. It will work out fine, because the temperature is starting to drop again and I won't need the dress right away.
I also found a pattern that I really like that calls for handkerchief linen - Vogue 7693:
I'm considering blue dress in the center as a possible project. Coincidentally, I have just the right amount of fabric! Perhaps I'll make this dress for spring!
But, speaking of spring, I still need to sew for fall and winter! I'm going to experiment a little with sewing knits, so I bought Simplicity 4076. I'll be making view A (upper left w/shirred side seam), and I have a double knit that happens to be the same color. Hopefully this should be an easy fabric to start with, since double knits are stable with little lengthwise stretch.
I have a few completed projects that I've been meaning to share for some time, but I haven't taken any pictures yet. I'll try to do it sometime soon - this blog is suffering from a serious lack of updates!
