Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Minerva Blogger Network: Belladone dress with heart cut-out

Pattern: Deer and Doe's Belladone dress.
Size: size 38 at the shoulders, 40 at the waist and 42 at the hips.
Alterations: transformed the back using this tutorial from the Deer and Doe blog.
Fabric: cotton poplin from Minerva Crafts (can be found in this kit).

Ugh, this post was supposed to go live last Friday... I mean, I had the perfect dress for Valentine's day, right?
But that's one thing I have yet to learn after three years of blogging: write posts ahead of time, when you can, because life will get in the way just when you really want to post something.

Anyways, it's not Valentine's day anymore, but I don't love this dress any less!
I've actually wanted to make this variation of Belladone ever since it appeared on the Deer and Doe blog last year, and since we recently translated that post for the English blog, Valentine's day was the perfect excuse to finally try it.

I don't think I need to spend many words on Belladone, I made it three times before (1, 2 and 3) and it's still one of my favorite patterns ever. I could happily live with a wardrobe full of just Bleuets and Belladones, seriously. Anyway, more details on construction are here.

Another thing I love about this dress is the two rows of lace on the skirt. I never think about trims for my handmade clothes, but they can add such a beautiful little touch!

What else? Oh, yes! I wanted the cut out to stand out against my skin in these photos, but I didn't have any top with a back neckline low enough, so I just wore a knit bolero backwards, which worked for the photos but would be incredibly uncomfortable for real life. So, I'm on the lookout for a top, a t-shirt, or even better a leotard with long sleeves and a low (but bra-friendly) back; so far, I only came across dance wear tops, that leave the back completely bare. If you guys know of any (European) shop that has what I'm looking for, I'd really appreciate your help! :)


Modello: Abito Belladone di Deer and Doe
Taglia: taglia 38 per spalle e petto, 40 per la vita e 42 per i fianchi.
Modifiche: trasformato il corpino dietro utilizzando questo tutorial.
Tessuto: popeline di cotone di Minerva Crafts (potete trovarlo in questo kit).

Mannaggia, questo post doveva essere pubblicato venerdì scorso... Cioè, avevo il vestito perfetto per S.Valentino, no?
Questa è una lezione che ancora non ho imparato dopo 3 anni di blog: scrivi i post in anticipo, sei hai tempo, perché a volte la vita si mette in mezzo proprio al momento in cui vuoi assolutamente pubblicare qualcosa. 

Ad ogni modo, non è più S. Valentino, ma amo comunque moltissimo quest'abito!
Volevo provare questa variazione dell'abito Belladone da quando è apparsa sul blog di Deer and Doe l'anno scorso, e mi è tornata in mente di recente quando abbiamo tradotto il post per la versione inglese del blog, perciò S.Valentino era la scusa perfetta per metterla in pratica.

Non ho più molto da dire sul modello Belladone, avendolo già fatto altre 3 volte (12 e 3), se non che è ancora tra i miei modelli preferiti. Sarei felicissima se nel mio armadio ci fossero solo Bleuet e Belladone, davvero. Ad ogni modo, potete trovare più dettagli sull'abito qui.

Un'altra cosa che amo di quest'abito sono le due righe di pizzo in fondo alla gonna. Non penso mai alle passamanerie quando cucio, ma a volte anche facendone un uso molto discreto, fanno proprio la differenza.

Cos'altro? Ah, sì! Per queste foto volevo che il dettaglio cut-out sulla schiena risaltasse contro la pelle, ma non avendo maglie abbastanza scollate, ho indossato un bolero al contrario, cosa che ha funzionato per la foto, ma sarebbe scomodissima per la vita vera. Sono alla disperata ricerca di una maglia, o ancor meglio un body, a maniche lunghe e con la schiena scollata (ma non troppo, che non si veda il reggiseno). Ho trovato solo articoli per danza, con la schiena completamente scoperta e che quindi non fanno per me. Mi sapete aiutare? Grazie! :)

29 comments:

  1. Aw, this is so adorable! Normally I don't like heart things on my garments, but this is so subtle and fun and also looks very fashion forward rather than cutesie! I really like the fabric you chose as well.

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  2. Anna, we're in the "garment industry" so let's consider this post fashionable late?! ;)

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  3. the lace is a beautiful addition ;o)

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  4. A bit pricey, but American Apparel has low back-scoop leotards, and I believe they ship to the EU:

    http://store.americanapparel.eu/body-jersey-double-u-neck_rsa8357

    Beautiful Belladone!!

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  5. Ah! What a gorgeous dress! I love the heart cut out, it looks really nice on a more understated fabric.

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  6. Super cute! I've been wanting to make something with a heart cut out. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  7. i like the shop in your sewing room for a perfect black top :))


    ain't it the truth, life is all OH you wanted to write a valentine's post? YOINk! no matter, this is beautiful as always. i love how you changed that cutout. romantic and perfect as always.

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  8. What a beautiful dress again, I love it!!!:)

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  9. another adorable dress! and honestly, I always forget that I can add trim to things. thanks for the reminder with your super cute hem trim!

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  10. Beautiful! I like the simple line of this dress with this original cut on the back!

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  11. Seamstress from Venus has a tshirt pattern with a low back and scoop neck front. It could work nicely with this dress. Belladone is also one of my favorite patterns ever (even though I don't have the fit quite right yet)

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  12. http://seamstressfromvenus.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/the-perfect-tee-my-first-pdf-pattern/
    Forgot the link.

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  13. I love adding stripes near the hem, it makes a dress so much more pretty and interesting and your lace is no exception. Lovely version with the heart! x

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  14. that's one seriously cute dress, love the heart cut out.. and, can't you just make that backless top?

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  15. gorgeous as ever. This is so dear.

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  16. I love the lace trim! It gives such a sweet effect :)

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  17. Very cute! I like that you chose a black background fabric so the whole effect doesn't get too cute.

    Why not make the shirt you're looking for. Start with your basic tshirt pattern and modify. I use Renfrew alot. Just scoop out the back and add a horizontal band to that can hide above the cut out to keep the shoulders on and you'd be done in a couple of hours.

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  18. How can I find these Burda patterns now? Any idea? Love your blog!

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  19. Wow, this is perfect! I'd forgotten about the heart variation for the Belladone- maybe it's time for me to stitch up #3! Love this on you!

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  20. What a beautiful dress! I just found your blog via http://sewnbyelizabeth.blogspot.com.au/
    I'm totally inspired!

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  21. Really cute! Do what you've got to do to get the photos! Even if that means wearing something backwards. Love it!

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  22. That's so cute! I really love the lace trim at the hem.
    As the top, I remember owning an American Apparel leotard with a deep back. Only problem: the leotard was not open at the crotch making impossible to go to the bathroom ;( But it was great for staying tucked into your skirt or pants. I didn't have a sewing machine to open the crotch so I ended up throwing it but you might want to see for yourself.

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  23. I used to like your reviews on La mia Boutique, especially since I could not buy the magazine where I used to live. But on this Burda review I have to disagree.

    I think the Burda March issue is absolutely great and some of the best patterns are not even shown here.
    I think that being "hypercritical of Burda" probably clouds your view and opinion and is not quite fair - just saying.
    And I hope you don´t mind me saying also that I find it quite amusing that you have to see certain clothes on other websites first, like the blouse pattern you mentioned you saw on Katey and Laney, before you like it when it is "presented" by Burda. Sounds like a real prejudice. Who cares where a pattern comes from? One either likes a certain pattern/piece of clothing or not.

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  24. Nice dress! The back part is so cute!

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  25. Very cute! And the fabric is so pretty!
    As for a top with a low back, H&M sometimes has them - or maybe you could make one yourself, just using a Renfrew (or similar) and lower the back neckline? I'm not a big fan of leotards, and if I want to wear a top under a dress, it's usually cold enough that I also wear tights, so I just tuck the top in and it won't ride up...

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  26. This is beautiful! I can't wait to try it :)

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  27. I'm not really sure what to reply to you... I always try to stress the fact that my reviews come form a totally personal point of view and have no pretension to be universal or objective statements.
    And I'm not really sure why it is unfair if I'm biased against Burda, after years of being their customer and being constantly disappointed by their offering.
    And I don't mind it if you find it amusing, but I don't think there's nothing wrong in caring about and being influenced by how a product is presented, especially clothing.

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  28. Sigh, I love everything about it, the heart shape, the bottom, the fabric, beautiful!

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