First Dress Finished! :)

Well it took a while to complete but at last it's finished.  And as you see I didn't add arms, but instead used bits of fabric to face the insides of the arm holes.  I had thought these pieces were to make cap sleeves, but turns out I know nothing, and after much head-scratching I realised they were little unseen pieces!

I have learned a load of stuff on the way whilst doing this dress:  The zip was the first invisible zip I've attempted (and believe me it is far from invisible, but I think it's tolerably okay now that I've ironed it hard!).  I also had to wrestle with that curly hem foot thing... and with a little help from Utube and several yards of practice on fabric scraps, I finally got the hem done without too much stretching...

 And please ignore the funny faces - it is not easy to take photos in a mirror... and I thought I'd been so careful to avoid all the surrounding clutter!

 In the two photos below, I thought I'd try on a little poncho thing I bought in a sale years ago, but never wore.  I think it works with this dress okay... even though my face forgot to show it!

 Anyway,  I admit I'm pleased with the outcome of this dress, although to be honest the fabric disguises quite a few less than perfect joins.

I also love the fact I lined it - because it gives it a weight and warmth that the fabric alone would have been missing.  So I think I'll wear this....

Now, if you happen to be curious to read some of my ponderings along the way  - links to previous posts relating to the dress are given below.

And as you will see from the dates, the whole project took some time to come to fruition!

Aspiring Towards Dressmaking - Help!

Cutting out the Pieces for my Dress!!

A Little Progress on the Dress

Interim Dress Pictures - Add Sleeves or No?

Thanks for looking....  now I wonder what I'll try next.