Joining the dots: Polka Dot Frock Fest

Posted on 28 February, 2013 by scruffybadgertime

Hello peeps! There’s some kind of an outbreak out there in the internets, namely New look 6000 in all its glory! I thought I would share a few of the early symptoms I’ve spotted [groan] because judging by Twitter, there’s a danger that we’re not over the worst & there’s more to come…

Over in Brisbane, Lauren at Sew Lonnie took medical advice when she found herself covered in retro-inspired brown fabric with cream spots.

All Doc FrockFest could advise though was that there was a genuine risk of such chic style spreading: everyone would want such a classy collar & capped sleeves if she went out in public. I tend to agree & wish I’d made mine with the collar as well. It’s got such a vintage look, hasn’t it? More pics from Lauren & details of her sewing adventure here.

Now Michelle L’s signs of catching something glamorous need little describing if you look at her picture here:

She’s soldiering on despite her dots getting really dotty! You wouldn’t think that she’d caught the polkadotfrockfest bug to see here smiling like that with such a perfectly accessorised beauty of a dress: full New Look 6000 glory sporting the awesome collar and cuffs with gathered waist. I tell you what, I see every new rendition & feel jealous I didn’t make the same version myself! This is no exception.

Sylkotwist however, has reported an early temperature, Doc Frockfest described it as one of the first signs of Polka Dot Frock Fest fever.

I’d say she’s got it bad with such a wonderful interpretation. You need to check out her cuffs (in homage to Sam’s ) which I am delighted to report also include (wait for it) rick rack!!! I urge you to check out Sylkotwist’s write up to get a viewing.

Finally for this post is a recent outbreak that frankly could not be missed. How could Dottie Doodle think that no one would notice that she had also caught something spotty?

She’s made hers with a heavy jersey which has carried off the gathered waistline absolutely brilliantly. I love it being sleeveless too & couldn’t help but over hear Doc Frockfest’s advice: plenty of fresh air. I’d have to agree, with Spring around the corner I’d imagine this would be a wardrobe favorite! Go & visit to read more about her experience of it here.

Remember to keep an eye on the Polka Dot Frock Fest Flickr Group for new additions & extra features. I shall bring together more victims of polkadotfrockfest together at a later date – remember to let me know – my incoming links doesn’t always work

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Polka Dot Frock Fest: New Look 6000

Posted on 24 February, 2013 by scruffybadgertime

I have spied some wondrous New Look 6000 Polka Dot Frocks coming out of the woodwork. Take this one here by Sue at Sewin’ Steady & this one also by Pixie Sam at a Little of What you Fancy ….I suspect there might be a last minute flurry of February activity.

I am keeping my eyes peeled on the Polka Dot Frock Fest Flickr Group ready & waiting …I am looking forward to doing a round up post before I update the gallery, but first, I have finally finished my very own New Look 6000 to show you.

I thought I would show you the finished pics today, & then present another post explaining how I got myself out of rushing headlong into lining without thinking through the order, or looking up any advice (typical me!) later this week, in case it can help anyone else.

Now remember I’ve made this for an April wedding (untypically this February challenge meant that I didn’t leave the making until the last minute! Nice feeling !)

It’s made out of a sort of crepe de chine (polyester) that I bought at the Birmingham Rag Market & is the same used for my Eliza M Pussy Galore blouse. I sewed them in parallel which was handy, same thread on the machine, two garments on the go at the same time. When I had to pause sewing this dress due to zip inadequacies, it meant I could go ahead & sew the blouse with minimum fuss!

So I chose to make View A with the side gathers & cap sleeves. I may make the fabric rose to attach for the wedding itself, but for now here it is. You’ll notice that my gathers are on the right, not left side, this is because the front piece is cut as a whole (not on the fold) & I got my right/wrong side of fabric in reverse to what I should have!

I’ve lined it with mustard polycotton to hopefully give it more structure & make it comfy to wear. It also dispenses with the need for facings (hurrah!) (I used the plain darted front to make the lining with the same back piece).

I even found some red spotty ribbon to make bra-strap holders

So I fitted this dress as I went along, not really sure how this gathered waist would work. How can it produce the right shape for girly lumps & bumps when it sits on one side only at the waist? I clearly need to go on a dart manipulation crusade & I might have a chance of understanding. For now though, I trusted & tried. I was keen for it not to have too much ease though as the gathers over the stomach might have appeared balloony? I therefore made it a bit smaller in the bust & hips than my last New Look 6000, which is pretty roomy.

Therefore when I could at last wear it, I felt it needed to be put through its paces, albeit gently, no hoovering to be done in this frock!

It’s a very close fit at the back, I’ve just about nailed the right size for my back. It’s a shame that the sleeve lining is poking out though. The zip? Now a 22″ & that’s not too long I tell you. I used a lapped zipper (like I describe here) but you can bet the first time the 14″ zip went in SO perfectly. The 22″ zip, of course, did not behave, resulting in a couple of unpickings.

Oh look! We’ve a visitor! She’s returned to rekindle the original Frock Fest. And she’s still got a thing for botany ….

Look I’m using some more of Marie‘s vintage lace from her Watch This Lace project to finish off the lining with style.

Now the thing is, I’ve got these white shoes (vintage Bally T-bars) but absolutely nothing else to wear with it: no handbag, & no jacket. I am currently trawling Pinterest for inspiration for what needs to be the right kind of 60s style jacket.

I’m hoping to make it out of something I’ve already got in my stash, so look forward to canvassing your views to help me shortlist my options.

Phew, I can bend forward & water “that” plant with out any over exertion on the seams!! “Love Train” here I come!!!

So that’s me & my Polka Dot Frock! Let me know when you’re there & ready to show off yours. My blog hosting doesn’t always pick up incoming links, so I I can’t rely on that guiding me to your makes – just let me know in a comment & I’ll come visiting

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Polka Dot Frock Fest Flickr Group

Posted on 11 February, 2013 by scruffybadgertime

Hey all, Fancy checking out an early Polka Dot Frock?

Manju at SewManju has created this darling version here

She has chosen to make the pleated-waist version (like I am going to make) but with 3/4 length sleeves. Go & visit to see how she’s given it a bit of edge with yellow details & her method for grading up. It’s so well explained. Thanks Manju for such a great example of why I love this dress….inspiring!!

I know that I’m a bit slow in coming to the conclusion that we need somewhere to gratify our instant craving to check out dots, dresses & good ol’ New Look 6000! No need to wait for me to get “the next update post” up, why not head over to Flickr & upload & enjoy. If you have a blog post relating to it, you can also make the link in Flickr & we can all come & check it out.

Polka Dot Frock Fest Flickr Group

I’ve set it up so that you need to ask to become a member (wasn’t sure if this was wise, but this is how Zoe manages Me Made months & it seems to work! So, even if you are not ready to upload anything yet, just find the link to request membership & you’ll all be ready in Flickr). I still plan to make periodic update posts, so don’t worry if you don’t use Flickr, just leave me a link in comments & I will scoop in updates as well as adding every now & then to the NL6000 gallery.

On other FrockFest news, it seems that Jaycotts are out of stock of New Look 6000 for now. But you could try over at Habithat, New Look patterns are half price.

And finally thanks again to Adrienne at All Style & Substance who helped me by providing a useable code for the blog badge if you wish to use it & were having problems.

Here are two versions this is Adrienne’s

Or My version – it seemed to work for me for WordPress, but who knows!! I clearly need to start reading my Css/Html book!

<a href=”http://scruffybadgertime.co.uk/search/label/nl6000″><img src=” http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i374/Scruffybadgerti/Polkadotfrockfest_zpsaebfe6ba.jpeg “></a>

And you might be wondering what is Scruffy Badger up to? Well, I’ve sewn the lining & cut out the dress, added tailor tacks. Discovered that my gathered waist will fall on the opposite side due to cutting the pattern on the incorrect side of the fabric but I am not worried about that (unless I should be?!?!). This weekend’s sewing productivity has been mainly in my head though. With my long runs increasing (& a 10 mile race yesterday) I’ve just been plain cream crackered & have been reading by the fire rather more than usual. (I even got the knitting out!!) Good news on the running front though, I’ve won a place in the ballot for the Great North Run in September so am mega excited about that – have heard so many wonderful things about the atmosphere & the race.

Tonight though I shall sew. How are you all getting on?

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February challenge? Polka Dot Frock Fest

Posted on 23 January, 2013 by scruffybadgertime

Gosh, Twitter gets me into trouble, but in a fun way! It looks as if I know what my February dress is going to be. Following this week’s latest version of New Look 6000, enough chatter started about said pattern it seems a number of us have in our possession, that a group of crazy ladies have jumped in to the challenge to make a New Look 6000 in February. We’re calling it Polka Dot Frock Fest & we could even call it “PolkaDotFrockFest in Feb” to make it really hard to say! But it kind of follows on from the original Frock Fest in that it is a celebration of New Look 6000.

I’ve made a badge, but it’s rather crappy I have to say & I am struggling with getting it smaller – this is the code if you fancy nabbing it, but ideally I’d make it a bit smaller …

<a href=”http://scruffybadgertime.co.uk/search/label/nl6000″><img src=” http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i374/Scruffybadgerti/Polkadotfrockfest_zpsaebfe6ba.jpeg “></a>

The other exciting part? Yes, we’ll be making it in polka dots having been so inspired by so many existing polka dotted lovelies. Anyone fancy joining in? It would be heaps of fun & I can share yet more NL6000 love & grow my NL6000 Frock Fest gallery!

My commitment is that I shall make a polka dotted short sleeved version – but with those fancy waist pleats. I already have some fabric (red polka dots) & it’ll be the ideal dress to make for an April wedding. There, that’s a call to arms! Who wants to join in? (And great to have the decision made for my wedding outfit!)

Whether you do or don’t it should be fun to watch

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