Amanda vs the Seersucker Belladone

You know how some people embrace winter and love the chance to wear tights and pretty coats whilst they sup on their hot cocoa and head home for a lovely soup? I am not one of those people. Winter to me is all kinds of torture. There are the cold toes no matter what shoes and socks I wear, the lack of fruity cocktails (brrr... too cold!) and most importantly my inability to recall where I put my gloves/scarf/coat. So winter and I have come to an agreement that I get to escape its icy clutch once a year for some kind of vacay somewhere slightly warmer. This year my trip came a little late but that meant I could make a fun spring time frock to wear- hullo beach time Belladone!

Now, I have made a polka dot Belladone before. Let's get that out of the way. But this bad boy is different- I swear! Firstly, the fabric is seer sucker. Pink polka dot seer sucker. All the way from Japan. I am totes scared I have reached the pinnacle of Amanda fabric with this meterage. What if this is it for me? I mean the only thing that could possibly be better would be a pink polka dot silk taffeta. These are scary thoughts to contemplate...

This was my first time sewing with seer sucker and I must say it was a pleasure to work with. My fabric wasn't puckered all over- there were stripes of plain woven fabric and then stripes of puckered fabric- crazy fun times! I took some time to play around with thread tension for a ways to make sure the stitches were even over both the plain and puckered sections and then sewed everything up easily.

I also lived on the wild side and yet again ignored the instructions to make a hem facing. I know, I know- I am on the edge here. I like how casual and summery the skirt looked sans facing and chose to make tiny scarves out of the pieces for Bimble and Pimble instead...

Nawww! Bimble was super excited. Pimble on the other hand launched a fashion protest.  She thinks stripes are in this season and is walk striking until they arrive. Life is tough at Chez Bimble and Pimble.

One thing I was really happy with was the fit of the front bodice on this frock- I would like to play around with the dart placement a bit but otherwise am pretty dang happy. No gaping, nice fit and coral bias binding. YAY!

But let's cut to the chase- what I loved about this version:

• Seersucker for the win. Honestly, where has this fabric been hiding all my life?!
• The contrast binding. This stuff rocks my world. Though perhaps I could go all of the pieces on the back for extra sass!
• The back panel cutaway. I feel a bit sassy showing off the ole back meat but still nanna-ish as I know my bra straps are well hidden. Double win!

What I would change for next time:

• I'll grade the shoulders down a size or two- I don't like how far out they pop out. While it rocks to feel like some sort of wing commander with rad shoulder pieces it's not the look I'm going for.
• Play around with the bust darts- I want to shorten them by an inch or so.
• Provide more room in the back bodice piece. I'm happy with the front piece but a bit of extra ease there would solve the fabric wrinkles.

Yet again the Belladone wins me over. I'm thinking I may make another couple of these bad boys for summer as well as a few more Sureaus. Because, quite frankly, isn't summer all about drinking cocktails in sundresses and hanging with friends? Dang straight it is! 

A massive thanks to my dear friend Jess who not only is a
jeweller, blogger and vacation buddy but a fierce photographer!