Amanda vs Belladone

When it's time to meet up with a bunch of rad lady sewing bloggers there are a number of concerns to be had:

1. What if they realise I'm a twitchy anxious person with a tendency to talk to much?
2. Am I fast enough to dodge a group of bargain hungry sewists on the way to the remnants bin?
3. What the heck should I wear?

After careful consideration I realised that:

1. If I feel like I'm talking too much I'll break into some 80s hair rock. Nothing like a spoken word version of Guns 'n' Roses Paradise City to win friends and influence people.
2. I'm used to dodging ladies on skates so I am so prepped for the remnants run. Remember Amanda- if in doubt feint left and run right.
3. I have nothing epic enough in my wardrobe for such a lovely day out. 

So enter the dragon... Or the epic pattern and cute fabric combo of the polka dot Belladone!

Too rad! I must admit to sitting on this make for a couple of months now because upon finishing it I realised it looks pretty much identical to one that the always fabulous Anna from ::paunnet:: has made. Awkward unintentional style stalk, Amanda. Oh wells, I'm chalking it up to ladies with impeccable style (and in my case a polka dot obsession).

Now whilst this is an all kinds of awesome dress it was not without it's hiccups. Two nights before I was to fly to Melbourne I decided it was time to assemble said frock. Realistically that left me with about 6 hours of sewing time. Was this a bit crazy? Possibly. Could it be done? Maybe. Was this idea fraught with peril. Fo sho. Let's start with the fit. Muslin? Who has time for that. Not this intrepid lady. It was hack straight into my spots and get basting. Which ended up with a too large frock. Not too hard to manage until I took in the seams an inch each side and it resulted in...

The world's tiniest slash pockets. I can fit my phone, a tissue, a key card and a lip balm in there so that's a win. But getting things out? If you've ever seen one of those youtubes of people trying to catch a greased pig that's what it's like trying to fish a key out of my pocket. Just with less grace and more oinking... Or is the other way around?

Then, as I'm trying to neaten up the new seams on the inside, tragedy strikes in the form of folded fabric accidentally feeling the wrath of my serger blade. Oops. Luckily it was only the pocket, which I'm starting to feel a little sorry for by this stage, and with the help of some fray stop and shonky hand stitching it is repaired.

Then of course there is the language barrier. When this pattern was released I went absolutely bananas for it and ordered it and two other Deer & Doe patterns. Sure, it was in French but how hard could that be when there are pictures? When it came to getting this lovely back bodice panel sorted the answer was "where the heck is my rosetta stone"...

But it did turn out marvellously. With thanks to the always lovely Oanh on twitter giving me some guidance from her English pattern I was able to get the bodice complete. Sure, I may have discovered at social sewing the extra three pieces of fabric I thought were spare (kind of like those extra screws in Ikea furniture) were actually a skirt facing but I still assembled the dress. And does the back look rad or what?!

What I really loved about this pattern:

• The simple lines. This has all the things I love- fitted bodice, pleated skirt, rad pockets and even a cute little waistband. Life does not get any better. Unless I was on a beach in the Caribbean and sipping a cocktail out of a coconut whilst wearing this dress. Just sayin'...
• How quick this went together even though I kinda didn't understand a lot of what was going on... Curse you lack of Babel fish!
• The back panel feature. I remember seeing Belladone previewed somewhere on the magical interwebs before the patterns were fully launched and I was agog at the awesomeness of the back panel. I mean as sassy bit of back meat on show but also enough coverage for your bra straps? Total win! Could it be any cheekier?!

What I would change for next time:

• Fit the pattern properly. I was rushed to get this done and took some short cuts but I want to be able to easily fit my hands into my pockets. Yup, I'm all fancy with my airs and graces and pocket usage.
• Bias bind all the edges of the back panel. It's looks great already but I think I can set the sass-o-metre to 11 with some more bias binding.
• Add an extra inch to the skirt length. I'm really conscious of the skirt being just a smidge too short as it is difficult to pick things up off the floor without flashing sum ov me bloomers (I really hope there was a bad cockney accent in your head just then).

Overall, I am obsessed with this pattern. I'm talking I could have five versions of this dress and be happy to wear one each day. In fact, I may have the most perfect coral pink polka dot fabric ever to make another with... Who has a problem with polka dot dresses? This gal!