Maratón Telaria | 1. retro |

The Maratón Telaria has started last week. We had until the 27th to join the sewalong flickr group with the first theme: RETRO. So, guess when I decided to sew my piece?! Exactly, the 27th. Which meant I had to sew my dress, take pictures, and edit them to enter. 

But, of course I did it. I spent all this time convinced I wanted to do a rockabilly look for G. but then, as I got lost online, I chose to get inspired on those lovely short 70's dresses. Mine wasn't so short though and I'll tell you why. 

front and back view of dress - it closes on the back with snaps. 

As I've been saying forever, G. has got way too many clothes that fit for now. When I say she doesn't need anymore, I mean, I don't know where to keep anymore clothes, there's no space for them, really. That's actually something that has been keeping me unmotivated lately. I mean, I have been sewing, behind the scenes, but I'm not really in the mood to get too creative. 

So, back to the reason why this isn't as short as I wanted. It is simple, I made it hoping this would be a great fit by spring, so next year. The sleeves are wide enough for her to comfortably grow into this, I hope this will last as a tunic when she's even older. 

The pattern I used was the one I drafted from an existing dress and used for the Sad Cat Dress, can you remember that? The only changes I did this time, was on the seam allowances, this made this dress narrower than the previous on the neck line. Even though it looks like it is shorter than the other one, it isn't, it just happens that kids grow a lot in just 7 months passed. 

Contrary to the Sad Cat dress, this isn't lined, instead I used homemade bias - actually I made it from left overs from the sheet I used as lining to the cat dress - on the neck line and bottom seam. To finish off the sleeves I used a vintage lace I had selvaged from an old shirt I was given a while ago. 

So, after all, what makes this look retro? In my opinion, and intention... as I said before, I was inspired in the 70's. The features I tried to bring back from that period were the line of the dress, the lace, the width and the plaid of course. I wanted to include a peter pan collar to it too, but I was attaching the bias already when I suddenly remembered "the collar! Oh gosh, I didn't cut the collar!" - well, too late my dear, I'm not doing that. But, even though the day was rather warm, she wore a white shirt underneath the dress, which -look so convinient - had a peter pan collar too. 

Just before we left the home, I managed to make her a matching hairclip. I tried to do her hair inspired in the 70's pictures too. I love it! This isn't much of my style, but I confess I'm satisfied with it. Plus, I needed this kind of quick and simple sewing. 

The only thing I seem to feel sorry about, is that the lace isn't as white as the bias. It works though. Once again, I only used fabric and supplies from my stash and it feels good. 

This week's theme is knits. I still have no idea what to sew! Any suggestions?