All week I've been trying to find the right 'opportunities' to photograph this properly: ie, on an actual child, preferably the one for whom it was intended. But it hasn't happened. Along with all those blog posts I write in my head each day ... the daily routine just hasn't allowed for concentrated writing.
I need to make the time.
I need to make the time to sew more, to transfer all the ideas cramming my head into reality, to experiment more, to let go more. I need to get out more. Engage with people more. Take my camera for walks more often. Set myself some new goals. I need to beat down the self doubts that are crowding me. I need ... to just Do It.
Back to the dots. Over the years I have collected a number of Oliver+S patterns, but never actually made any of them. I can't say why, I just haven't. Maybe the speed and quickness, the simplicity of japanese pattern books has made me lazy. I do like a quick instant result project! I am, though, quite aware of what my weaknesses are in sewing, and so in an effort to upskill - no, not upskilling, more polishing shall we say, I'm on a bit of a well crafted pattern head space at the moment. Which is where the Jump Rope Dress comes in. A gorgeous vintage style dress for Pia for next summer. With proper little collar, buttons and a beautiful full gathered skirt. It's easy to see why everyone who makes this ends up making 5 ... the results are so gorgeous [check out the flickr Jump Rope sew-along Group]
It was nice to take the time, spread out, and work through each component. Yes, there was lots of unpicking and some of the finer areas could be better - that's something I have to work on - but overall it's finished well, and looks so light and lovely hanging in the hallway. The grey spot fabric is from Tessuti, as are the little magenta shell buttons I used. I just hope it looks as lovely on Pia as it does hanging up.
