Shopping with my friend Mary a few weeks ago, I spotted this gorgeous piece of navy and teal wool in Abakhan. I didn't need much pursuading by Mary to buy it, and as it was Sale time, it only cost me £15.
I thought I would make myself another of my favourite vintage dresses, but instead decided to combine the bodice of my favourite vintage pattern with a circle skirt. I was going to draft a circle skirt when I remembered I already had a vintage circle skirt pattern which would save me the bother and the maths!



The wool fabric has a poly backing to stabilise the weave, which even with the backing is a little unstable, quite a loose stretchy weave, but with such a lovely drape and feel.
I usually press my fabrics before cutting out, but this wool was not creased so I just cut it out, this turned out to be a mistake because despite folding the fabric in various ways to see which layout for the pattern pieces would be best, I totally missed a weaving flaw in the skirt panel until I had sewn it on.



After a minor panic and a bit of problem solving I decided to add three rows of big ric rac across the skirt, concealing the weaving flaw and adding some decorative detail at the same time.





I also added the same ric rac to the sleeve edges, just to tie everything in.



The wool being a faily unstable weave has stretched out very slightly at the neck edge, and at the squared off princess seams, but on the whole the fit is still good.
I also suspect that a gentle wash might tighten things up a little.
I wore this dress for an evening out with friends last night, and just as anticipated it is as comfy as my other dresses made from the same pattern I used for the bodice. A very easy dress to wear.
My friend Mary suggested adding a peter pan collar to the next one I make, I think she is onto something there!