This patisserie design fabric was a surprise find at Brighton's Fabric Land and cost £4.75 a metre. It's a heavy cotton printed with vintage cake recipe illustrations and is available in two colourways: there's a pale pink and cream Paris Macaroon version, and this one, the Berlin version with strong greens and blues on a beige background.
Undaunted by the hideous illustration
on the cover of Simplicity 2363 sewing pattern, I decided to use
the fabric to make dress D. The cut of the
bodice reminds me of Anna Maria Horner's gorgeous Painted Portrait Dress – a pattern I've dithered about buying as it's not available for
sale in the UK (the price of international postage makes it a
very expensive purchase for a single pattern). Simplicity 2363 will have to do for the time
being.
The Simplicity pattern was straightforward
to follow, I'd say the sizing is generous. The finished frock has
a roomy fit, more like a tunic than the fitted dress on the illustrated
packet but it's so comfortable to wear I think I'd probably make the
same size if I use the pattern again. The fabric has a linen/canvas feel and
is a little crumply after wearing it for the day but I've decided this adds to its olde worlde
charm!
I intend to wear it to visit Cocoa Patisserie
which has the most delicious display of macaroons in the window. I
hope I won't be mistaken for the menu.
