During August, Karen of 'Did You Make That' launched the Made Up Initiative. You can read all about it HERE, but basically it involved bloggers/stitchers, making a donation to National Literacy Trust, and then pledging to make a particular item, big or small, by Friday 10th September. My pledge was to make a dress for the Christening of my great niece Grace. The Christening isn't until October, but as I am notorious for leaving things to the last minute, I thought that this pledge was ideal for me.
Naturally, I still left it to the last minute, but I got it finished in the nick of time for the deadline, and I have to say that I am absolutely delighted with it.
It's my second Mortmain, made from a stretch cotton, in a kind of vintage-y looking print, which is just the perfect weight for this dress. The bodice is lined in a beautiful crushed raspberry taffeta, gifted to me by my chiropractor's Mum, believe it or not (thanks Catherine's Mum!)
The only changes to the pattern from last time was a very slight adjustment to the back bodice which was just a tad too long, resulting in a little tuck above the waistband. Not, I have to say, something that would EVER have bothered me in RTW, if I'd even noticed it. But, one of the main benefits of making your own, is to get the fit as near to perfect as possible. So I shaved 1cm off the back bodice, tapering to nothing at the side seams.
The only other change was that I added in-seam pockets - I always thought the Mortmain called for pockets. And, just to prove it, here I am looking smug about them.
Thanks for organising this Karen - a great initiative for a good cause - and it made me get myself in gear for once!
Nick Of Time - Bonnie Raitt
