Saturday, October 11, 2014

Announcing a SEW ALONG!!!

UPDATE! I have now opened an Etsy store to sell this Swirl Dress Pattern PDF.  You can find it here.

I'm taking a break from my holiday posts to announce a sew-along that I hope you will all want to participate in!  I'm pretty excited about this, and I hope you are too.  We are going to sew a Swirl Dress!

Now, for those that don't know, Swirl dresses are quite possibly the most wonderfully designed and comfortable dresses on the planet.  I own several, and I live in them on the weekends.


This add basically says it all.  You walk into it, do up the button, tie it around your waist and look fabulous and feel comfortable all day!

And what I really love about them is that they are all so different!  They come in novelty prints:

This is a photo of Solanah from Vixen Vintage
And I'm pretty sure this dress she is wearing is now in my wardrobe!
(we have a vintage dealer friend in common - FabGabs)

All have pockets:


If they are in a plain fabric they are embellished:


They used different fabrics for the skirt and the bodice:


Basically, they are just all round fabulous!

This same dress is also in my wardrobe I'm pretty sure
(via another friend in common with a shop - Simply Vintage)

So how is this sew-along going to work?  I recently purchased this pattern on Etsy:


And I have just spent the last day and a bit turning that pattern into four different sized pdf patterns that I can send out to each of you that wish to participate.  The sizes are as follows:

SMALL : Bust 32"-34", Waist 24"-26", Hips free
MEDIUM : Bust 36"-38", Waist 28"-30", Hips free
LARGE : Bust 40"-42", Waist 32"-34", Hips free
XLARGE : Bust 44"-46", Wasit 36"-38", Hips free

Please note that these measurements are your measurements, not the measurements of the garment, and the fit is quite adjustable given that it is a wrap dress.  If you are between sizes its going to depend on how you like your fit - fitted? size down, blousey? size up.

By now I'm hoping that you are super excited and want to find out how to get yourself a copy of the pattern and join in the fun!!!

I am going to give everyone a couple of weeks to get organised, so the sew-along will start on the 29th of October.  There is going to be a small charge of US$6 to get a copy of the pattern in an attempt to recover my time and materials in making the pattern.  I hope everyone is ok with that...

To join in, comment below with your email address and I will send you an invoice for the US$6, or, send an email to sewretrorose(at)gmail.com with your email address.  When you've paid I will email you the pattern.  EASY!

I really REALLY hope that everyone joins in the fun.  When all the instructions are posted (I think I'll do three posts a week) I'll give everyone a couple of weeks to finish and I'll do a blog post with photos of everyone's finished dresses.  OH! And I'm going to make a facebook group for everyone that joins so that we can all talk and ask questions and post photos and make friends!

Please join in!!

Beccie
xxx


103 comments:

  1. I am SO in! I will send you the $6 shortly. Cannot wait!

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  2. I totally want to try this! Trustme247520(at)gmail .com

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  3. Emailing tonite! So excited about this sewalong!

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  4. I was on the fence, but the more I look at the dress, the more I want to make it! This is going to be my first sewalong!

    girliefrank(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Thanks for hosting!!!

    Angela Wicentowich

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  5. I've been pretty uninspired about the patterns in my stash. This might be the push I need!

    I have a totally mature email address left over from my mid teen years...
    miss.m.sparkles[at]gmail.com

    Woo hoo! Let's do this. :D

    M.

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  6. I love swirls so I'm in! joh_369@hotmail.com

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  7. Yes please!!! terryheth11@gmail.com

    Sorry if repeated said error 1st attempt?

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  8. Yes please. Email address is suzicharlie@btinternet.com. Thanks x

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  9. Third time lucky, my post keeps getting eaten. winter . Georgia at gmail dot com

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  10. Yes please! reloveddecor@gmail.com

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  11. I own a few Swirl dresses too and am really looking forward to making one myself to join them. Thank you for all your hard work.
    Annabel
    Vintage78DJ@hotmail.co.uk

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  12. Lynn dot potts at gmail dot com trying again as I can't see my previous comment :)

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  13. I'd love to have a go! I own one original swirl dress which I love. My email is Tracy.holroyd-smith AT virgin.net

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  14. id love to give it a try though im nervous about it lol
    rebecca74 at club-internet dot fr

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  15. Absolutely in! magdalenesmuse@gmail.com This looks like a very exciting project. Must consult my vintage fabric dealer door supplies.

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  16. I have a most beautiful swirl dress (black with red roses, it's so sweet) but it doesn't fit me. It goes around me but the back doesn't sit flat. I am short bodied and i think this causes the back to "buckle" and gape quite bit. I also have a sway back, eg a very big dip in and out at the base of may back. It's annoying and it means the dress is for sale soon. I do wonder if I can actually make one that fits, what do you think?

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    1. You definitely could Ladan. For a start, if you make one yourself you can shorten the bodice so the waist sits at your waist, which should help the buckling and gaping at the back. You could also investigate doing a sway back adjustment on the pattern to fix your second 'issue'. If decide you want to join in, just let me know :)

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  17. Sounds great! dianahaslerum@yahoo.com

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  18. Oh I'd love to join it! I've been trying to work out how I might draft one for myself. But this makes it so much easier!

    my email is imogheena at gmail :-)

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  19. Am so excited about this niki.brailsford@yahoo.co.uk

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  20. Yes please! nay_11@yahoo.com.au

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  21. I've just emailed you- look forward to starting

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  22. I would love to join in boobookittyflick@live.com.au

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  23. *wild muppet arms*
    YES! Yes, please!!! This sounds like such fun!
    crashsite3@juno.com

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    1. I lol'd at the wild muppet arms comment Lauren... hahahaha

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    2. Lauren, it made me happy to see *wild muppet arms*. I use this phrase every time it's appropriate!

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  24. I'm excited! My email address is creationsbycarm@gmail.com

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  25. Yay! Mine is shermy (@) shangrilash.com

    Minus the brackets!

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  26. I can't believe I'm applying ! Such a commitment ! Never participated in a sew along (although I follow them avidly) but it might be the kick in the tush I need to actually stop just hoarding fabric and patterns and actually get on with sewing ! (especially now my step-father has tuned my good old Singer Starlet to tickety boo !) I would be a medium at queenosaba@hotmail.com -----how exciting !

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  27. Hot dang!

    I am sew in. Think . . . to sew with Beccie L.; girl, I feel honored. lovinlocks@cheerful.com

    Cheers,

    Lyric
    http://www.sewlyicallyvintage.wordpress.com

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  28. Hi everyone! I have just sent out the first round of invoices (59 people! I am blown away!!). If you haven't got yours it means I made a typo, so please send me an email or comment here :)

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  29. ooh can't resist a wrap. dyan.reaveley@yahoo.com thanks

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  30. I love my Swirls, I'm in. kathrynehodges@gmail.com

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  31. Can't wait to try this, looks so cute!
    spiritkitten@yahoo.com

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  32. I am in! Ladydeguerre at gmail.com

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  33. Sign me in iriskapet@hotmail.com

    Petra

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  34. Please include me in the second round of invoices! I'm excited to join in. jeanniewrites @ gmail .com

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  35. Let's do it! sandracox67@yahoo.com

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  36. Thank you, sounds like fun! Dottiesclothesline@gmail.com

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  37. I'm interested!

    Miss.susiem@hotmail.com

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  38. I'm in as well! sob7@optusnet.com.au

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  39. Yes please.
    Sandyiels@hotmail.com

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  40. Second round of invoices has gone out - I am up to 80 people!!!

    Once again, if you haven't got your invoice, please let me know - it means I've made a typo :)

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  41. ME ME ME ME MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
    hifallutin72@yahoo.com

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  42. Yes please :) I've never sewn anything before so will be getting mum to help me. Is it okay that I am in the UK?
    dreximgirl@yahoo.co.uk

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  43. yes please.... little.bluefrog@hotmail.com

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  44. Ooh, would love to join in! Mine is morgana.bailey@gmail.com

    I hadn't heard of these dresses before, they look great! Would love to try one! :D

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    1. Me either, Ms. Bailey. I had never heard of them. At first I thought Beccie was talking about that dress that is one piece but wraps around the front then wraps around the back (can't think of the name); however, people were blogging about how bad many gals looked in it.

      I'm excited!

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    2. I'm excited too! :D
      Hmm, is the other dress you're talking about that "one hour dress" that was a 50s pattern, possibly from Vogue? (Can't remember). It sort of wrapped around and looked great in the picture, but rather shapeless in real life when most people tried it!

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    3. I believe so, Morgana. And 'tween you and me, the hard-headed gal that I am . . . I still want to make one. I have this notion that I'm sorta, kinda cute.

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  45. Can't wait :D

    just in time for summer!

    melly@internode.on.net

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  46. Excuse me whilst I froth at the mouth!
    How long does an invoice last for? I'm down to my last few pennies until payday Friday - would I be able to pay the invoice then?

    melodymae[at]me[dot]com

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  47. I'm so in and so excited! kacyburchfield(at)gmail(dot)com!!

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  48. This sounds like fun! Email me at loranwatkins(at)gmail(dot)com.

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  49. Hurrah, just got my invoice! :D

    One question though: will you be including in the pattern PDF that little test square of 1 inch (or bit of a tape measure, or whatever) to check that the pattern printed out correctly at the right size? I ask because some PDF patterns don't include them, and I've had problems in the past with my printer saying it's printing something out at 100%, when it actually isn't - that little square is really helpful to double check it's worked!

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    1. Hi Morgana - no I didn't do that, although that is a brilliant idea. My patterns weren't done electronically, they were done by me and some textas.... so possibly not as professional as you are used to!

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    2. Never mind, I'm sure it will be fine! It's a really helpful thing to include for future reference though - as printers can be weird that way!

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    3. I was wondering the same question and figured I'd better come and check versus running ahead and asking. I'm at the library right now with the pattern in another window to be printed. I'm nervous to hit the "print" button because I'm using the last of my lil spending monies to print this out and I'm nervous that the library's printers won't be configured correctly. Yikes!!, LOL.

      Still excited! Been hoping last four days to shop my stash but stuff keeps getting in the way, grrrr. Really, I don't believe I have an "extra" 4.5 yards of fabric lying around truth be told. Darn, guess I'll have to purchase new, huh! ;-)

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    4. It printed just fine!!! Now, to find some fabric, yippppeeeee!!!!

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  50. I can't resist this! alexandrabryant@hotmail.com x

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  51. count me in! carlyndal@hotmail.com. Also i dont have paypal, can you do direct deposit?

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    1. It depends if you are in Australia or not honey - PM me. But, you can pay a paypal invoice without a paypal account, you just need a credit card :)

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  52. I'd love to join in! I'll need to go through my fabric stash to see what I have that will work. Please send the pattern invoice here durhamlass1758@yahoo.com
    Thanks a bunch!
    -Emily

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  53. I would love to be included! More than happy to pay $6 for the pattern!
    Please invoice me at peacefulinsanity@gmail.com

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  54. Hi Beccie, please include me too, my email address Janeinness@hotmail.com, thank you.

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  55. A vintage dress in my size with NO zippers or buttons?! Count me in, please! cs_bicheler@hotmail.com

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  56. I can't join in the sew along, as I am working on packing up my home to sell, but I would love a copy of the pattern! Stmedeiros@yahoo.com

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  57. Hi Beccie

    Count me in.
    alenesmum@btinternet.com
    thanks for doing this. Natalie. x

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  58. I would like to be apart of the sew along too! Sounds Fun! Also would like a PDF copy in Large! mrsnathancompton@Gmail.com
    Thanks! <3

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  59. I'd like to take part also. Thanks so much!
    Melissa

    mborromeo@comcast.net

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    Replies
    1. I forgot to tell you - size medium.

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    2. I don't see an invoice in my inbox. Can you please send again?

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    3. Got it and paid it...and forgot to include the note on PayPal asking for a size medium.

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  60. I'd like to join the sew-along too. Thanks for your effort!

    I think I take a size M will still be OK, even after my Tuscan holiday it might be a wee bit snug around the waist… ;-)

    Could you kindly invoice me? I think you still have my e-mail, otherwise just let me know.

    xxx Doris

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  61. The Facebook link: am I to be waiting for one or go on over there and hunt around? Thought we were going to be dialoguing about the sew-a-long?

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    1. Its a secret group - so I don't think you can find it. Once you've paid your invoice and received your pattern, you should have got a link to your email address.... Let me know if you haven't got it

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  62. I would love to join in! Size medium to

    meghan_redmile@hotmail.com for Paypal ;)

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  63. I'd love to join in to if it's not too late! jocelyn.lynch1@gmail.com, size XL please and thank you!

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  64. I would love to join in on the sew-a-long. immalooney@msn.com

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  65. I know I am very late to the sew-a-long party, but can I still get a copy of the pdf pattern in small please? Fingers crossed, thank you e.schmitz@yahoo.com

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  66. I know I am late but I'd love to join! andrea.leathley (at) gmail.com

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  67. I'm very late bout would love to join in blacklace81@gmail.com

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  68. Hi, I just found this blog.. I know your sew along is over..But, I love,love this dress. are you still selling the pdf pattern? I would love to buy one, if possible. My email is kennycoke@ripleycable.net
    Thank you, Judy

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  69. Hi
    I have also just found this site and adore this pattern, would love to get a copy, my email address is paula.fwdburr@gmail.com
    Merry Christmas
    Psula

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  70. Oh my goodness! Just found your site and would love to grab a copy of this dress pattern if still available. Email is muggs_diva(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  71. Hi! Would love a copy of the XL PDF and happy to pay for your time and trouble ! So sorry I'm so late but I just at found your blog and I love it!

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  72. Are you still selling the pattern? I would love one in XL! I'm at girlgeek80(at)gmail(dot)com

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  73. Hi Beccie, I would love to purchase your beautiful swirl dress pattern in XL if you are still selling them. kateinness11@ gmail.com

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  74. Hi Beccie! If you're still doing this, I'd love to buy patterns (likely two sizes). Email is liseah@hotmail.com. Thank you!

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  75. Oh, just found your blog! Are you still offering this pattern to buy? Would love to make myself one. My email is cate@vintagegal.co.uk. Thanks!

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  76. Love this pattern! If you're still sellin', I'm buyin'! XL please.
    My email is mitzi.melville@yahoo.com

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  77. Dear Beccie,

    I would love to purchase your beautiful swirl dress pattern in M or L if you are still selling them. My bust is something between 38" and 40"

    dianimini@googlemail.com

    I really do love your ideas and tutorials

    Love
    Diana

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  78. Super hoping you're still selling this pattern-- I have been wanting to make myself a Swirl for ages! My email:

    hollimichele@gmail.com

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  79. Like Nona, I'm hoping that you're still doing this, because I would love to make a Swirl! My email is aspiring.star@gmail.com.

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  80. I would love to make this dress. is there anyway I can get a copy of the pattern? I have been looking for one and can not find anything. Please let me know immalooney@msn.com

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  81. Any way I could get this pattern still for a Large? My email address is Dottie@modernkiddo.com

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  82. Has anyone gotten the pattern??

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  83. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  84. Is it possible to do this challenge still? Are directions available?

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