Tapestry Waistcoat Dress (Minerva Makers)

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I have a new project* up on the Minerva website (extra making of and details photos here*)! This time, I decided to make an 18th century waistcoat inspired ensemble using some gorgeous red and beige tapestry fabric*. As per usual with these Minerva Makers projects, the fabric was provided to me for free in exchange for the post on their website. Sadly the fabric I used is now out of stock, but pretty damn some similar options can be found here* and here*.

The pattern was another repeat, which I originally drafted a couple of years back for this version. I really loved my first rendition, but liked the idea of making a waistcoat dress that looked a little less psychedelic and a little more historically inspired.

This project had a lot of hand sewing in it, which I massively enjoy doing - I hand felled all the seams, and all the facings and hems were slipstitched into place. This is quite a time-consuming way to do things, but I find it really relaxing, and it meant I got to show off the "wrong" side of the fabric rather than cover it up with a lining, because in all honesty, I think the "wrong" side of this is just as pretty as the "right" side. I also made sure to use the "wrong" side on the lapels to give a little pop of contrast there.

I'm not massively keen on how the button placement turned out. I think they were technically too big for this pattern and ended up skewing the front neckline a little, but other than that, I'm really happy with this project. Not the most practical of my more recent creations, but it was fun to make and it's fun to wear, and that's always a good thing!

Let me know what you think! Until next time!