Friday, April 5, 2013

Leaving Riverton



I bought this fabric ages ago on sale from the quilting section. I then put it in my fabric stash and ignored it for about six months. When I pulled it out recently I noticed that it had the designer of the fabric and the collection it belonged to printed on the selvedge. I looked them up to see what other people had made with the fabric. It turns out that the collection that this fabric belongs to has a novel that goes with it. The novel (and the fabric) is called 'Leaving Riverton'. It is a quilting romance novel. I had no idea that such a genre even existed. It's kind of hilarious because I dislike both romance novels and quilting. The book sounds pretty crap anyway, if the Amazon reviews are anything to go by. I hope no one thinks that my dress is an homage to the novel. I just like the fabric, okay? 


I used Simplicity 4744 from 1963. I originally drafted some three quarter sleeves, but when I sewed them on they didn't look right so I scrapped them.  



I didn't use the pattern pieces for the skirt, I just cut two rectangles, sewed them together and did one inch pleats.



Shoes: Brumby's garage sale
Belt; Op shopped
Bangles: Op shopped
Dress: I made it 
Socks: Columbine



45 comments:

  1. looks like it should be sold at modcloth. beautiful!

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  2. I am in love with that dress! Wonderful choice of fabric! I read a novel last year called House at Riverton- it was pretty awesome.

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    1. Thanks! I looked it up and 'House of Riverton' sounds way more awesome than 'Leaving Riverton'.

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  3. Love this dress and fabric - you have done a wonderful job.

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  4. Beautiful as always!!! I love the cut of this dress, the pleated skirt & the simple bodice look amazing. The fabric is pretty cool too. Xx

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    1. Thanks! Me too. I think I'm going to have to make a couple more dresses with this pattern.

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  5. Holy moly this is a jaw dropper!

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  6. Fabulibulous! It is a thing of beauty.

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  7. That is a seriously beautiful dress! I love the high front/scoop back combination. The version on the pattern with the little tie at the back is really pretty too.
    Haven't heard of the quilting romance genre - who knew? I suspect the book wouldn't do much for me, but I LOVE the fabric! xxxx

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    1. Thanks! Yeah, I love the low back too. I'm definitely going to make the tie version at some point. I had no idea either but I think the woman who wrote 'Leaving Riverton' has written quite a few by the looks of it. They must appeal to someone I suppose.

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  8. It was great that the fabric went with a novel, I'm sure that is not my genre either, but I think it's lovely, especially compared to our times in which everything is less romantic and almost everybody forget about books and craft works. The dress is stunning, I really love the print and the shape, great work!
    xxxxx

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    1. I do love the idea of fabric and novels going together because sewing and reading are two of my favourite things. It's just a pity that the book doesn't sound like my cup of tea. Thanks!

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  9. Love your dress, it's so cool and glamourous! The lowered back is fab and I like the pleats, they're a nice change from gathers. And I must confess I actually like the idea that there are books related with fabrics since reading and sewing are my two great passions^^

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    1. Thanks! Yes, I love the low back. I love reading and sewing too so it's a nice idea. I just don't like romance novels or quilting. If it was a sci fi novel with matching fabric I'd be all over it.

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  10. You do magic work...love that dress!! And I like the fabric too...makes for a more interesting dress!! Superb!! Have a wonderful weekend x

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  11. I love it, that print is far too pretty to be cut up into pieces for a quilt

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    1. Thanks! I know. One of the reasons I don't like quilting much is because it seems a waste of a good print to cut it up.

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  12. I love this dress- the pattern is incredible -

    I will feature you on my blog this week as one of my Friday Fav Ladies!


    Ariane xxx

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  13. That dress! that pattern! You look incredible, you are so clever!
    A quilting romance? That really does sound dire. xxx

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    1. Thanks, Vix! I know. The thought of it makes me shudder a wee bit.

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  14. That dress came out amazin! I love how you just say yeah I just cut two rectangles for the skirt....girl you can sew!

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    1. Thanks! Ha, well it is pretty much the easiest skirt to do.

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  15. So sweet and simple, and I love the fabric-how odd that it is inspired by a novel! X

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    1. Thanks! I think the novel and fabric are meant to go together and you can make a quilt to go with the book. It's a bit weird.

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  16. Gorgeous! It's a lovely fabric. Who would've thought quilting romance novels were a genre?!

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    1. Thanks, Kat! I certainly didn't until I looked up the fabric.

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  17. A hell of a nice dress esp the fabric (what a story behind it )and it's got the right length.

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  18. BEAUTIFUL! This is why you're such a sewing inspiration to me - you make such beautiful things. I love the fabric and the back of the frock is just stunning!

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    1. Aw, thanks Trees! The back is my favourite bit. This is the first low backed dress I've made but now I'm a total convert.

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  19. That print rules - and the pattern is perfect for it. I love this for what it is and even more so because you made it.

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  20. The print is fantastic, I love any prints with pictoral themes - perhaps more fabrics should have prints based on novels - perhaps not The Naked Lunch. The final dress is wonderful, I love all the dresses you make, you're so flippin clever! xxx

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    1. I love them too. Ha, I'm trying to imagine what a fabric based on The Naked Lunch would look like. Thank you!

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  21. Fabulous as always. hmmmm a fabric inspired by a romance novel - ewww but look at the design!! They got something right! Romance novels remind me of that ugly beef-cake Fabio and THAT makes me shudder! This style is amazing on you by the way x

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  22. I adore the print, and the shape of the dress is beyond fabulous. The fact that you made it just andd magic to it, my dear friend.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  23. That turned out lovely. I use quilting cotton to make dresses all the time and didn't realize until a few months ago that doing that is considered "controversial".

    I hate romance novels too but I like quilting so I'm tempted to check out that novel.

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  24. Beautiful. Inspired!
    My mum made a dress or 2 using the exact same pattern, I'm sure.. I'll take some pics to show you. In fact maybe even her wedding dress is that pattern.. Quite a basic shape I guess but I'm sure it's that one..

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  25. awesoem dress and print! love it!

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