I love starting the year off with #JungleJanuary at Pretty Grievances! (Above image property of Pretty Grievances.) I usually don’t add jungle prints to my fabric stash, but I am always inspired by Jungle January. This year I have found two fabrics – one being a black & blue Ocelot. It’s called a Harmony Jacquard, 58% cotton, 37% polyester, 5% spandex. It is a thick soft fabric, warm for when the office gets too cool. The fabric might be to soft for the pattern I am using but I love the blue! I decided to pull out my untried Sewaholic Davie dress. I like the size range of Sewaholic patterns and they always fit me well. This pattern has cap sleeves though so if I sew it up as is, I will have to keep a sweater handy to keep my arms warm.
This is a pattern meant for knit fabrics and it was easy to sew up. I did decide that the neckline was too high though and I wanted a little contrast. An easy fix – cut the neckline down an inch or so and add on a contrasting neckline band.
Now for some stiff, uncomfortable shots of me and my new dress… with Simon!
I have another offering for Jungle January but I am seriously running out of time!!! I’ll finish it anyway and post it here. I don’t know how January could possibly have been busier than December, but Hey! That’s Life! (Do you like the Frank Sinatra version or the Michel Buble version?)
Happy Sewing!
Loved the spider web shot – I have those!! Your dress is seriously cool. That fabric! I suspect that this one will be in constant rotation and it will see you through the trans-seasons too. Simon is adorable BTW.
Haha, thank you! I do love that fabric. I still have a bit left. I will have to think hard… How can I use it all! Simon is a sweetie!
Lovely dress. The blue is a fab shade and I like the black detailing. I like both versions of how your wearing it, with and without the belt!
Without even listening to the songs, I’ll always be a Frank fan!
Thank you! Nice to know both ways work. It’s hard to look at yourself objectively sometimes. I work up with Frank’s singing in my head this morning.
the dress looks great on you Linda and I love that blue animal 🙂 I prefer it without the belt but either way it looks great!
Thank you! Yes I am rather preferring blue these days. It does hang nicely without the belt.
That does look lovely! And good for you for changing out the neckline to suit your lovely self! Have you a black shrug? That might suit your arms in the office. 😀
Thank you! I never thought of a shrug. Good idea!
Glad to help!
Your dress looks lovely! I love that shade of blue!
Thank you! It is a lucky find.
The contrasting neckline is perfect and looks fab with the belted version (which I prefer). I really need to get a move on with my offerings for jungle January! 😃
Thanks! Ya, I was hoping for two offerings, but the month has just flown by! Hopefully we will see your’s soon!
Fab print choice in this more unusual colour. Really like this on you, belt or no belt 🙂
Thank you!
It is a great fabric and pattern choice. I love how you look with or without. Yes, definitely a shrug.
Thank you! Nice to know, since I am usually so critical of myself!
Very pretty dress. I love blue anything so a blue ocelot is just fine. I too liked the cobweb shot. I thought it was a Madonna Looking Heavenward shot until I read the caption. Very nice nevertheless.
Thank you! I should have gone for the Madonna caption, sounds better than spiders and webs!
Great dress, fantastic fabric! I love buying prints but haven’t found a lot of good animal print. I am a magnet for hounds tooth, though, it always seems to end up coming home with me despite my best intentions.
I love the look of houndstooth. Haven’t sewed any up yet though. I found this fabric on line. It had an excellent description so I went with it. Usually if I need something specific I can’t just find it in my local fabric shop and have to look on line.
I love the fabric, and although I’m not a Sewist, I think the black neckline brought out the print even more. I smiled when I saw you mauling Simon. I do the same with my miniature Schnauzer, Ozzy.
Thanks! There’s nothing like mauling a beloved pet! 🐶🐱😍
Very pretty! Love the colour of this animal print. I think I prefer it without the belt. Has nice shape to it. Fingers crossed I get my Jungle January completed in time!! Where did January go?
Thanks! I’ve got a second jungle January garment, but the end of the month is so close! Looking forward to seeing your’s even if it is not in time!
I think your black neckline makes the fabric print really sing. I like the dress with and without the belt – I’m sure there will be occasions when a particular way is called for.
I love your pictures! Photographing the garment is the hardest part of blogging in my opinion. I never seem to be able to get a picture I really like. Perhaps I could borrow Simon?
Thank you! I just need a proper black belt now. I wonder if I can see one I can make myself. I love photos with props – especially cats – something to steal the show!
I love this dress! And the contrast neckline is a wonderful touch. The belted version shows off your legs….but both look great on you. Simon is a perfect prop, and the spider web caption really gave me a good chuckle.
Thank you! Sometimes I desperately need a prop when having my picture taken! 😂
The blue is fabulous! I would like to steal this dress for my blue dominated wardrobe :). I think your clever neckline modification was spot on. The belt is nice but I like it without too, obviously a versatile dress. Random cobwebs can be so distracting.
Thank you! Yes I too have a blue dominated wardrobe! I try for other colours but it doesn’t always work out so well!
I know what you mean! Other colors just can’t compete with blue 🙂
Linda, the dress looks wonderful – and in the colours chosen, very subtle jungle and very flattering. I’ve just started using WordPress so I can get to know this community over here – but still have my Blogger Blog.
Thank you! Well welcome to WordPress. I like the WordPress program. I see bloggers from all over comment here and people from here comment over there, but I am not too familiar with how to cross over and comment though. I guess I just need practice!
I think it’s also just easier to work on one platform at a time.
Some people are so clever and have so much time they are everywhere… I’m jealous… I still have a job I have to go too. ☹ but maybe some day! 😄
I prefer it without the belt, such a great dress and love it how you haven’t used proper animal print colour the blue makes it really special
Thank you! I just had to have the blue! It’s funny that the fabric description was actually “black and blue ocelot” … As if!
Love it!! The fabric is so unique (ocelot!!!!!) and it’s a real standout dress, for sure. I love the addition of the collar: it’s the perfect touch! (And Simon, too!)
Thank you! Pets and kids always steal the show! 😃
I like the neckline as well. I like contrast on a dress but I can never find a belt I like. I think my problem is that I once had “the ideal belt” and have never found one that can take its place. I do enjoy that Simon gets to be part of Jungle January….but why not Sophie, is she somewhat shy.
Thank you for the compliment! Yes, I am still hunting for a belt… I hope someday to find the one I want! Haha, Sophie is shy, but she will be getting into the act soon!