Replacement frocking

I wanted to make a frock to replace this one, which I gave to my pregnant friend in New York when I was there several months ago. She tried it on, and when I saw her face I knew I couldn't take it back. She loved it, and her wardrobe was shrinking as her belly grew...my wardrobe on the other hand is ever-expanding. Hey, I can always make another one, right?

So I had making a replacement frock in mind when I was shopping in the NY garment district, and this is the only fabric I bought while I was there. The fabric is thick and warm and soft and lovely and I might just need more of it. I did look for other colours, but they only had this lovely stuff in black.

The front and back are New Look 6000 (Moggy made it in brown); chosen because the neckline was nice and wide, and the side gathers added a bit of interest to what is a very plain black frock. I extended the skirt into an A-line while tracing the pattern, and left off the rear vent. The sleeves are from the same vintage pattern as the original version, again with some of the volume removed. I overlocked and then turned and stitched the neckline instead of using the facings. The armscye and sleeve head were a pretty good fit without any mucking about, (luckily for lazy me) so I sewed the sleeves in flat, before sewing up the side and sleeve seams together.

I did some photo jiggery-pokery so the details stand out:

Three baby bibs and a frock

I haven't done much sewing lately. I'm going to New York in 2 weeks (yay) so I have been knitting hats, cowls and socks! I want to try and wear a frock while I'm there, despite the cold. I have a down coat and fleece-lined tights so I'm hopeful! (Understand that I have only been in freezing weather one day of my life. I have no idea if I can do this! Exciting!)

I have made a frock from wool interlock. I was inspired by this frock from Selfridges, which I saw on The Fashion Police when it was Dress of the Day:



I frankensteined this pattern (view F, just widened the neckline) which I have made previously:
...with the long sleeves from this pattern, which Moggy kindly sent me in a care package. I took about half the volume out of the sleeves due to lack of fabric, and also they were HYOOOOOGE.
I'm going to stay with a friend in NYC, who will be having a baby this year. I sewed some bibs (still need to attach velcro) which Moggy kindly embroidered for me using her awesome embroidery machine. One of them goes up to 11! I owe you Mog. Luckily I found some pink/black shot stretch bengaline for you, which I hope will partially repay your kindness!