The 90’s called…

I wrote this blog a month ago. In typical British style, May was a write off, weather wise, so I only got photos today. But life has continued in much the same vein!

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This week has been the latest in a string of tough weeks. We have all sorts of family stuff going on and it’s been getting to me. So, for the first time in a very long time, I was completely selfish and spent most of Sunday hiding away, sewing.

I had 3 projects all cut out and ready to go so there was a little bit of dithering, but one pattern has been on my to do list for nearly 2 years now and it was that one which won out.

The True Bias Shelby is a dress and romper pattern with 2 different lengths and 2 different sleeves. And it is pure, 100% 1990’s fashion. I must have had four or five little dresses along these lines: a-line, floaty, button front, waist tie at the back. I paired them with velvet jackets and ankle boots (NOT Doc Martens because mum wouldn’t let me! ) And I loved them.

I think I’ve been waiting to find the perfect fabric to go with my 90’s dream dress. It had to be floaty with lots of drape and the print had to be perfect. In the 90’s, that meant a tiny floral, because you wanted the contrast between a super girly dress and the clumpy boots. Preferably with multiple necklaces.

I finally spotted THE fabric on Fabric Godmother’s Instagram stories. A floaty viscose, it features a little daisy print: couldn’t be more 90’s if it tried! The pattern is rather fabric hungry, but it’s almost my birthday and the year’s been even worse than last so far, so I bought it.

One of the things I’ve realised in the last years is that, for casual wear, I like the idea of dresses, but I really don’t wear them very often. That is even more true in summer, when I can’t reach for my trusty thick black tights, That being the case, I opted for the playsuit version of the pattern.

I made my usual full bum adjustment, adding 1.5cm onto the centre back seam by slicing horizontally across at around hip height from the centre back to the side seam and pivoting before smoothing the back line up. I also added 2″ to the length of the mini version because, whilst 17 year old me would have thoroughly approved of the length, 40-something me prefers a little more coverage.

The instructions were really clear to follow and everything came together beautifully. I went very, very slowly when it came to the buttonholes ( my machine can be very temperamental!) and made it through without error. I found a card of vintage buttons in my stash the perfect size and colour, which was very pleasing!

I did follow the advice in the pattern booklet to let the garment hang overnight, but didn’t find the hem needed levelling before I finished it. It’s not 100% perfect, but I think with this type of fabric, you’re never going to achieve that, so I’m happy.

And oh my god, do I love this garment! The fabric is absolutely perfect: a good enough weight to have been great to work with whilst being floaty enough to work with this pattern. The neckline sits beautifully, no gaping issues here! And there may have been some swishing about, because the hem just feels fab!

So I am firmly embracing a return to this part of the 90’s at least! I’m contemplating a longer version and another just the same length which tells you how much I love it! All I need now is the weather to match!

So, how about you? Have you already embraced a return to 90’s fashion? Or am I alone in contemplating whether now might be the time to purchase the DMs my mum so heartily disapproved of?

Becca x