When Elisalex of By Hand London contacted me and asked if I could like to try their new pattern – I think nearly jumped through the computer screen with excitement.
And here she is…
GEORGIA! As or I call this version… My Georgy Girl.
The new kid in town – Georgia from By Hand London
Georgia Dress, the back view
I’ve got about four Georgia dresses buzzing about in my head (she is as demanding as Anna was, I have warned you). However since I have been dying to make a fitted denim dress – this just seemed to be the perfect opportunity!
This is stretch cotton denim from Spotlight. An amazing bargain table find at $4 a metre. It didn’t look that great on the bolt but I love it made up. It’s perfect. Soft blue, faded cream, irregular print. Perfection.
This is fabric so soft and stretchy, it’s like wearing PJs. Seriously. Yes, even as a fitted dress.
CONSTRUCTION
SKIRT
The skirt has six panels. I was a little nervous about the skirt fitting over my junk trunk (I know, typical girl) so I graded the skirt from the bodice downwards out to a size 10 – better to have more fabric in my seams than none I figured!
I then machine basted the skirt together (with the longest stitch) and tried on the skirt inside out. I found this the easiest way to see where I need to grade the curves in and back out to achieve a good fit.
My inside-out approach to fitting the Georgia Dress
I basted the new seams (back to size 6 anyway you idiot Lizzy) and when I was happy, I machined the final seams, removed the basting, then used my overlocker/serger to trim/neaten the seams.
I also pegged the skirt in just a little at the hemline for a more streamlined fit.
Bodice
I found the bodice to be an excellent fit. You will notice that I gathered the centre of my bodice. This is simply because my denim was stretchier than I thought and the neckline stretched out a little and was gaping along the edge. I considered unpicking the entire bodice and then remembered how the gathering stitches had changed the fit of my Hot Mess Birthday Dress bodice. The denim was a little heavy for gathering stitches so I did three small pleats instead. Seems to have worked – although probably increased the va-va-voom of the dress which always freaks me out a little.
If you are using a fabric with some stretch. I would advise stay-stitching or lightly interfacing your bodice shell fabric or at least the seam line to avoid the neckline stretching.
Georgia: the bodice lining, quilting cotton & boning.
I also stitched lightweight polyester boning to the seam allowances of the lining. I just use the Rigiflex (?) boning which you can machine stitch through, it’s quite flexible and very easy to apply. It doesn’t make the dress uncomfortable, I actually think it makes dresses with a structured bodice easier to wear as they just sit and don’t lose their structure with wear.
I understitched the lining. The instructions don’t tell you to do this but it improves the finish of the dress.
Zipper
This dress has an invisible zipper. Georgia’s zipper insertion is per ‘normal’ and then the instructions have you handstitch the lining to the zipper and along the bodice lower edge.
I machined the lining to the zipper using the Sewaholic Cambie method of attaching a lining to a zipper. It’s neater and quicker. Just sayin’.
It’s easy to do – once you have sewn in the zipper, just turn the lining back so the right sides of the bodice shell and lining are facing. Line the lower seam allowance of the lining back (in line with the bodice seam. Pin along the zip. Then using your normal zipper foot sew down alongside the zipper teeth (on the side closest to the seam edge). Turn the lining back out and you have attached the lining. So simple.
- Attaching the lining to the zipper by machine.
So there you have it – there’s a new girl in town… and I think she’s bringing her friends… stay tuned.
The ELH’s reaction was just ‘Wow’ when I walked down the stairs wearing this. I think that’s good, yes?
Later in the evening, a little crumpled… we have had a lot of rain this week but the sun came out on Sunday afternoon – I think Georgia wanted to meet you…
OTHER SEWBUSYLIZZY NEWS…
Madly stitching the Thread Theory Goldstream Peacoat.
Ordering some fabric for my Lolita Patterns Gunmetal top – and there will be a pattern giveaway when I blog it. I have this idea in my head for this top/dress – and although I’ve tried to make do with what’s available in town, I just can’t – stretch fabric is harder to find than you might think in my town. Online ordering it must be! I should have blogged this on its launch – but I’ve had all kinds of challenges and things going on in my life… sometimes you just can’t do everything… boo.
Pattern: Georgia Dress, By Hand London. Sent to me by the By Hand London girls (mwah – love you as always. And yes I stalked the postman ’til it arrived – I’m not ashamed LOL). Available in Australia at:-
Fabric: Cotton stretch denim from Spotlight, Australia.
Also See: The amazing version by Roisin of Dolly Clackett | Sally Bee makes gorgeous blocked plaid Georgia
Sew Busy Lizzy 
wow! Stunning dress and the fabric looks dreamy.
thank you!
I love this so much! I have the perfect fabric to make my own but I’m scared of flashing since I have no, ahem, boobs… :(. Plus it is like a zillion times sexier than my usual style.
I’m not very busy either but somehow fitted things are often more flattering then swamping them in fabric…
Nice dress!
Thank you!
The Georgia dress looks great on you! I would have done the same thing with the skirt!
It was much easier to fit than I thought it was going to be – such a relief, really happy with the end result.
Love it! Very cool and summery, and it does look pretty comfortable for a fitted dress. I wouldn’t worry too much about the gathering at the bodice being too revealing, especially if the husband likes it. : )
LOL agreed – he was most encouraging. It is super comfortable – gotta love stretch
Love your dress. I’ve been looking at this pattern. It would make a great party dress. I’m just not sure I’ll have time before Christmas to make one!
It’s quite quick to make once you fit it. Only the bodice is lined. It took me about a day excluding the little bit of hand stitching.
That doesn’t sound too bad. I might try to make one over the holidays!
It’s not too hard at all, it probably took me a day and a bit to put together – and that’s with lots of breaks and a trip to the gym!
I bow down to your fitted dress prowess!!! You look HOT! As usual!!
I’m always nervous of fitted styles but I think I might try some more!
Hi Georgy girl, you’re looking mighty fine .
https://facebook.com/sassysewingbees
Thanks Sassy!
Awww this is absolutely stunning! The ruching at the bodice is such a good idea as well! You’re smoking hot as always, babe xxx
Ruching hides a multitude of sins… well of the wardrobe variety 😉 xox
You look stunning! I’ve been stalking this dress as well and I’m so happy to finally see a version all made up! I have some beautiful gold fabric coming in from Mood for a holiday version!
Gold will be stunning – check out Charity Chic’s latest post – she has made one in a gold brocade curtain!
Sexy yet daytime. Brilliant!
We were at the park with the kids and once I took my heels off I didn’t feel overdressed at all – fitted casual dress win!
Totally daytime sexy! Love it. And I love the pictures where you’re holding your shoes for some reason.
That one was my favourite too – even crumpled!
Brilliant! I have never bought an envelope pattern, cheapskate Burda user that I am, but you have just about convinced that Georgia might be a worthy start.
By Hand London patterns are a great experience – you even get a little label to sew into your clothes!
Oh, so gorgeous Lizzy!
Thanks VK xox
With the extra work you put into boning and lining the bodice, Georgie will keep her figure and support you for a very long time. That’s the great aspect of your version of Georgie. She looks great.
I love boning – it’s so much easier than it seems, think it’s going to be a regular feature now!
Simply stunning! 😀
thank you!
Looks gorgeous!! Great work on the fit on your trunk!!
I can’t wait to sew this up!
this is very you – can’t wait to see it!
Great work! I am really gonna have to get a hold of some of these patterns. So far, I haven’t seen a By Hand London dress that I didn’t like. It looks wonderful on you!
their patterns are just great, simple yet high impact – gotta love that!
Gorgeous!
thanks!
Super awesome…I just love the cute fabric you lined the bodice with. It fits like a dream – always nice to have panels to play with. I also love the fashion fabric…you scored a REAL bargain there at Spotlight. Gotta take a trip there today to see if Perth has it. I think Spotty is getting better…
Spotty is getting much better. Got a fabulous silk-cotton & a fun red/white polka dot fabric this weekend!
That’s it, I’m going today 🙂
‘Hey there Georgie Girl’, LA la la la la laaa la la laaaa la la. This dress looks fantastic on you! The style seems really flattering. And I just bought some stretch cotton at our recent sewcialists outing. I had it earmarked for jeans but like the idea of using it for a fitted dress like this. It would really up the comfort factor.
I confess it is awesome & comfortable in a stretch fabric – especially one like this that is slightly thicker yet soft.
You should be on the payroll for BHL because I think you have just initiated the sale of many copies of this pattern. Your version of the new Georgia dress is fabulous. Love your fabric choice, both inside and out.
Oh that’s a lovely thing to say – I hope plenty of people do try it – it’s certainly fun to make.
Wow – gorgeous as ever lizzy!
mwah!
Great save with the gathering on the bodice. Another stunning dress.
sometimes the simplest solutions are the best ones!
Damn girl! This is hot! I’m a bit nervous to try it, actually, as it’s perhaps a bit too hot for me, but this looks so great on you!
Oh I was terrified of the bra bodice etc but I was pleasantly surprised when I put it on… I’m thinking it would be nice in brocade…
Wowser! And the shoes, too! You have the best shoes.
I used to have an extensive shoe collection – it’s dwindling these days… too much money spent on fabric…
You can never spend too much money on fabric! 😉
This is one of the neatest sundress patterns I’ve seen in a very long time. Form fitting and comfortable! Not always compatible with the sundress concept. Great job of showing how it all comes together too.
I think it’s one of those patterns that can be a fitted sundress – or a fabulous cocktail dress… which is my next plan!
You are looking mighty fine there, the Georgia suits you well 🙂
Thank you Lizzie 😉
Georgia, sweet Georgia! Lovey dress, especially with the red shoes.
Thanks Gail!
oops.. actually meant lovely dress!
My goodness, this pattern is made for you! This is a fantastic dress! The fabric does look wonderful made up. Beautiful!
That’s a lovely thing to say! Desperately want to make another, just need to find the time!
Looks amazing! The fit is spot on and the fabric so pretty!
Thank you 🙂 I found this dress quite simple to fit – which was a joy!
great construction, beautiful dress. So happy to have found your blog!! xo
Awww thank you!
Stunning – I love what you did with the bodice, even though it wasn’t planned. The perfect summer dress 🙂
Thank you. Sometimes the solutions improve the end result 🙂
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Lizzy, I don’t know how I missed this post (your posts come through to me via email) but I’ve only just come across it now. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING is all I’m going to say! I’ve got plans to make one in the new year and will be using all your construction tips – thank you! xx
Thank you Jane! I’ve worn this such a lot, I hope you enjoy your version just as much. This will look fabulous on you!
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