Friday 25 July 2014

A Kaffe Coco Dress


What do you get when you cross some wonderfully funky fabric from Kaffe Fassett with the perfect Coco dress pattern?


A Kaffe Coco Dress!

(I’m not having a good face/hair day. Sunglasses aren’t enough; I need a hockey mask.)

Thank you once again to Bunny, who happily photographed me in the back garden, adding an artistic off-centre angle to the image above when I said I only wanted the dress in the shot.


The fabric is Kaffe Fassett Paperweight, in the pastel/grey colourway. It reminds me of a Gustav Klimt painting.

This time the Coco pattern whizzed off my sewing machine in an evening; it was an absolute delight to make. When I was finally able to make it, that is. Sometimes WIPs are worked on in half-hour increments...or ten minutes...or less!

For my Kaffe Coco Dress, I spread out the fabric on the living room floor one evening, weighed down the pattern with some tinned tomatoes, and cut out the dress pattern. Then it was time to pack lunches and tidy the kitchen and whatnot.

The next evening came and went, then the next...I was so anxious to get this dress sewn up! Finally, on Wednesday this week a very dear friend was coming over for the evening, and we decided to get our sewing machines involved. Perfect opportunity to finish my dress, which had been sitting in pieces on the back of a kitchen chair, waiting to be sewn.

Sometimes I don’t dare to put something away, even if it’s just moved to the utility room, for fear that it won’t see the light of day for another year.

We poured some Pimms, switched on the machines and stitched and nattered all evening. It was utterly wonderful!


And look, Grandma, my shoulder seams are getting neater!

How do you fit it all in? I am asked that question often, and now I ask the same of you: How do you squeeze in creative time when life is so full of caring, childrearing, working, nurturing, cleaning, cooking, washing, playing, driving, organising, etc. etc. etc.!?! How do you do it?

Now there’s a blog hop topic I’d like to see! Hmmm...

Chrissie x




26 comments:

  1. Absolutely stunning! Xx

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  2. What a fantastic fabric for this dress, it does indeed look just like those little glass flowers that you find in paperweights doesn't it. It will be a lovely summery summer dress. I like Bunny's photos as well! As to how do I do it, the answer is mostly badly, madly and at the last minute!! xx

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  3. This is a gorgeous fabric for a summer dress, Chrissie! I have used this fabric in patchworks in the pink and the green colourways, and the colourway you chose is perfect for your dress! You look lovely in it :)
    Happy weekend!
    Helen xox

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  4. Beautiful fabric, it looks stunning and as you say the shoulder seams are perfect. You really do look lovely. Take early retirement, both my husband and I often ask " how did we have time to go to work?" Have a great weekend.

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  5. I lóve your dress !! That fabric combines just perfectly with the coco-pattern !
    And as for your question : I just have to do my "creative stuff". Even if there is not enough time. Then I prefer to skip some household stuff, just to be able to do some drawing/embroidery/crocheting/etc... Because if I don't have a little bit of "me-time" at least once a day, I easily get very unpleasant (well, let's just say obnoxious ;-)))

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  6. Love, Love,Love it. People ask me that question too all the time but I think I just must let most Sh** slide and make stuff instead, it is the only explanation I can come up with!! Jo x

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  7. Wow - I love that fabric, so funky and pretty! A great coco dress, gorgeous!
    I don't manage to fit it all in - I don't have kids and I still struggle to fit everything in around work. I dread to think how chaotic things will become when we add children to the mix!
    Maria x

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  8. Chrissie your dress is beautiful - I adore the fabric and the finish looks perfect. Can't really imagine you having a bad hair day x

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  9. Every time I read your blog I wonder how you fit it al in!
    That fabric is really gorgeous, do you buy your fabric online or in a real (!) shop ? I really struggle to buy fabric, nothing ever catches my eye ... would love to hear where you source yours :)
    Jillxo

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    1. Thanks for your comment Jill! I bought this fabric at a local haberdashery where I teach crochet classes, but if you google the fabric name then you'll find some online shops or ones local to you that carry it. Then stay on those pages and browse - if they carry Kaffe Fassett fabric, they're bound to have a great range of other fabrics, too! Keep me posted on what you find! Cx

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  10. Love the dress! I had never thought of using Kaffe Fassett fabric for a dress, how stunning it is! You certainly do seem to do so much Chrissie -love your list of all the things we women do...not sure how it all fits in really I guess it's because we are just so good at multi-tasking!! Alison xx

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  11. It's a gorgeous dress.

    And to answer your question ... I really struggle to fit everything in and often end up skipping sleep. Bad idea I know but needs must.

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  12. Oh well done Chrissie, it's a gorgeous dress and fits you beautifully. The fabric is splendid and yes, you're right, Gustav Klimt comes to mind straightaway! You are going to feel so good wearing this …. enjoy it, and keep up the good work, I'm so happy you've got into dressmaking and enjoying it :) Love, Joy xo PS Congratulations to Bunny on her photographic skills, she's doing very well indeed! x

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  13. Wonderful dress. I don't think we ever 'fit it all in', it just looks like it sometimes. My blogging has taken a back seat just lately, but I always fit in some crochet every day., even in this hot weather. I always look forward to reading your blog.
    S xx

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  14. I'd like to see that blog topic as well! I love the dress, the fabric is wonderful and you've made it beautifully. Clever you doing it so speedily as well. An evening sewing with a friend sounds blissful. CJ xx

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  15. That is such a cute dress!!!! There does always seem to be so much to do and so little time to do it in! I was a little hysterical when I realised that it is already almost August - where has the year gone! Happily we do still find the time to indulge in our favourite crafts (and have something awesome to show for it!)

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  16. You look lovely! The fabric looks amazing and I really am going to have to try that pattern...as for time to craft, family, running a business.... just means I get a little less sleep ;) Sarah xo

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  17. Superb! Very pretty fabric and it looks lovely on you Chrissie. Enjoy your weekend in your new dress.
    Jane xx

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  18. Thats so dreamy my congratulations to you...and it makes me so very happy to know how much you are loving sewing!
    In answer to your question one cannot fit it all in ....one simply decides what can be left until later. I hardly ever iron unless it is a seam, do you know it works but I don't know how?
    xxxxx

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  19. The dress is wonderful, the fabric is perfect. And Bunny is an excellent photographer. I can't fit it all in, plain and simple. There are weeks when lots gets done and weeks where nothing seems to get done. I try to have creative time as it keeps me sane, but this week that has been lacking. I will try for more in the week to come. By the way I can not imagine a hockey mask is in order. You are adorable.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  20. So simple with a great effect!! Very beautiful.
    This fabric is funny.
    Miss xx

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  21. It's lovely Chrissie, both the style and the gorgeous fabric - I'm a great Kaffe fan too! It looks super on you too, well done Bunny for taking such good pics!
    When I was working with a young child I never seemed to find time to sew very much at all, which is why I make up for it now that my daughter is older - well done you for squeezing it all in!
    Gill xx

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  22. It's gorgeous! Well done you. The fabric is so pretty and you look fantastic in it too :)
    Marianne x

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  23. Hi Chrissie, you're still no reply... can you email me your aaddress so I can send you your prize?

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  24. Love that fabric and your dress turned out great - you're so talented with that sewing machine! x

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  25. I think I'm in love! It's a brilliant fabric and I think it's the best coco dress I've seen - send Tilly a photo :-) x

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