Exhibit A:

This changed recently however when I was shoulder surfing my work colleague A as she was scrolling through an online clothing store called The Iconic. I spotted this blue and pink striped dress and I wanted it immediately. I asked her to send me the link where I promptly pinned it.

Exhibit B:

I also noticed that if you look carefully at the dress it’s not very well made – check out that top stitching on the armhole and the top of the vee in the back. Ugh!
For my pattern I originally picked Vogue 1353 because I’ve made it twice before (version 2 will be blogged soon) and I really like the skirt. However the bodice is princess seamed and that really wasn’t going to work with the stripes so I swapped the bodice out for the more simple Sew Over It Betty Dress with two darts. I’ve made it a total of three times now (version 1, version 2, and version 3 is awaiting photos).

I eyeballed the width of the stripes by comparing the front bodice piece with the picture of the Iconic dress. I decided 15cms plus seam allowance was about right and began cutting my two fabrics into strips. Then the fun began, lots and lots of overlocking followed by lots and lots of straight stitching and then lots and lots of pressing!


I think I spent longer making my fabric than sewing up the dress! lift up the lowest stripe so I lined up the top two stripes and cut each back bodice piece individually for better accuracy.



For this dress I’ve cut the pockets from my lining fabric, a lightweight cotton in blue.
- Cut your pocket piece out 4 times, you want 2 matching pairs.
- Finish your skirt side seams and all edges of the 4 pocket pieces. I used an overlocker.
- Pin your pocket pieces to the side seams of the front and back of your skirt, right sides together.
- I like the top of my pockets about 15cm below my waist seam, measure carefully so everything lines up.
- Attach the pockets by sewing along the side seam at the seam allowance specified by your pattern. I used 1.5cm.
- Do this for all four pocket pieces.

- Fold each pocket out and press towards the skirt seam allowance.

- To stop the pocket from turning out we’ll under-stitch the pocket piece to the side seam of the skirt.

- Stitch close to the edge of the fold on the pocket piece.
- Do this for all four pocket pieces.

- Now continue sewing as per your pattern instructions and when it’s time to sew the side seams simply sew until you get to the pocket, then sew out around the pocket and then continue along the side seam.
- Easy peasy!



Mistakes happen but this can be saved and all that unpicking will be worth it because: Pockets!
Harriet approves! And so does my other new friend…
