Gorgeous Georgia
I bought this curtain (singular) in the Salvation Army shop in Deptford and although I the tag is missing, I think I paid £5 for it. I’ve had this in my possession for quite some time, just waiting for the right project. It desperately wanted to be a party dress. It’s cream and white brocade, not too thick, lined with plain cream cotton.
And then this came along.
Introducing…. By Hand London’s Georgia dress!
Happily, there was more than enough curtain to make the longer version of the dress with the large collar/straps at the front, which I think is a really interesting detail.
I cut the bodice lining from the lining of the curtain, which was perhaps a little too stiff for this purpose… but on the plus side, it does mean that my boobs are completely fire-proof. You never know when that will come in handy.
The only part where I didn’t follow the instructions to the letter was inserting the zip, I used my own fail-safe method instead. The instructions include a simpler method, but personally I think I would struggle to get a good finish with an invisible zip on a curved seam like this using their method (it’s tricky!).
I added strips of fusible interfacing to the seam lines where the zip would be. The fusible I use is rather a loose weave, so I was able to stretch it around the curves (despite using straight rectangular strips cut on the grain). I like to cut my interfacing the same width as the seam allowance then use the serged edge as a guide to stick it 5mm from the edge.
Then I basted the front to the back along the seam line and pressed it open. The interfacing should be caught in the seam.
I pinned one side to the seam allowance. The trick is to line up the teeth with the basted seam.
Baste up that side in the seam allowance, then close the zip and baste up the other side.
Then remove the basting stitches holding the side seam together (the ones you put in first).
You can then press the zip teeth flat with a warm iron and use your invisible zip foot to sew as close to the teeth as possible on both sides. After checking it opens and closes OK, then sew the side seam below the zip and press the whole thing. Voila!
The only other notes I have on the pattern involve fitting, which I will discuss briefly here.
I highly recommend making a muslin of this dress before sewing it up because its fitted nature, especially around the bodice, means it is not very forgiving to bad fit (ask me how I know). I cut the size UK 12 at the bust, 14 at the waist and 12 at the hip as per the measurements on the back of the envelope. I ended up taking the bust in 4cm at the top edge and taking the dress in several cm above the hip (which is normal for me). If I make this again, I will cut a size smaller at the bust and add 3cm length between the waist and the hip to account for my long waistedness…. I can see this in a shinier fabric for Christmas. Watch this space!
Now, where to go to show off Georgia at her best?
Why, The Savoy of course!
I wore a black tuxedo jacket over my Georgia for lunch at the exquisite Savoy Grill (which explains why I’m wearing black shoes with it). The pictures were taken after a very enjoyable lunch, hence the creasing! (and the darkness!)
Charity Shop Chic 
Gorgeous!!! I’ve been playing with the idea of making this in Chinese brocade… even more tempted now!
You should do it – this would look great in Chinese silk!
Ooh what a lovely transformation – very Maria Von Trapp (but obvs much more glamorous!)
:D
http://www.mancunianvintage.com
Yes, a bit more modern-day London than 1940s Austria, hopefully!
The more glamorous version of Maria Von Trapp is Scarlett O’Hara. :)
Indeed she is – she uses velvet though, very tricky to work with!
The dress is fabulous and it fits you so well!
Thanks Erin, the fit was tricky to get right, but I’m happy with it.
It’s fan-flipping-tastic!! And the Savoy!! Woop woop! I’ll be scouring my charity shops for gems in the curtain department too now!
Thank you so much Gem, you should definitely look out for curtains, they make a great source of second hand material.
So cool this dress had former life as a pair of curtains. It looks stunning on you and perfect for lunch at the Savoy. Lovely pictures.
Thank you for reading! If you liked this curtain-dress, stay tuned for many more made out of similar household fabrics, or check out my ‘Betty Draper’ dress made from sheets: https://charityshopchic.net/2013/04/19/betty-draper/
It looks great on you, you look absolutely gorgeous!
One comment, If I may: I think the hourglass feeling of the dress would be enhanced by adding a waist stay. That and taking in just a pinch on each side. Still: beautiful!
Hi Maria, thanks for the comment! A waist stay may well have been a good idea, I will add one to my next version of this. I am not sure how much difference it will make – I’m afraid that is just the natural shape of my waist (I haven’t got much of a waist)
Your sewing skills leave me way behind! The dress is beautiful (as are you)! Can’t wait to see your next project!
Thanks so much Lynda! This dress does demand a few more tricky techniques, but overall is suitable for advanced beginners/intermediates. I hope you will work up to giving it a try yourself!
Beautiful! The curtain was a great find
Thanks, Sally! (Great name!) I have been hoarding the curtain for some time while I waited for the right pattern to come up, so this was perfect!
That looks beautiful! Well done!
I was lucky enough to stay at the Savoy once, your photos bring back memories.
A small fact…. the little road driving up to the front door is the only street in the UK where you drive on the right (US / European style).
Hi Helen, thanks for commenting! I was aware of the driving on the right at the Savoy phenomenon, in fact I think we were discussing it a few moments before taking those outdoor pictures :) Lucky you staying at the Savoy!
ooh gorgeous! another great job sally!
Thanks Joanne, I can’t take all the credit though, the pattern is a definite winner.
turned out beautiful!!
Thank you so much :)
Beautiful! The cream brocade fabric was just perfect for this party dress. And I love those wide straps!
Thanks Carissa! I love the wide straps too, but pretty much all the versions I’ve seen online so far have had the narrow straps, can’t work out why!
Curtain chic! Fantastic job as ever :)
Haha, charity shop curtain chic! Thanks for commenting! :)
You are so pretty and an absolutely amazing designer and seamstress. Wow! Please keep sharing!
Thanks so much MJ. I can’t take all the credit though. The pattern (from By Hand London) is particularly inspired.
Wow, it turned out so lovely! I wish I was able to sew something like that!
You should give it a try Erin – it’s suitable for advanced beginners/intermediates, so if you have a little experience sewing you should be ok!
Stunning dude! Would never guess it was a curtain. Just finished my Georgia with the wide strap/collar too, love this pattern so much.
Thanks Katie :) Glad you agree that the wide collar version is the best!!
Beautiful!!!
Thank you so much! :)
Stunning dress!!! and fire proof boobs, all the better!
Thanks – haha, you never know when being flame-proof will come in handy…
So beautiful! Your talent keeps me moving in the right direction to becoming a more experienced sewer (so double thumbs up!)
Hi Jennifer, so glad you are moving in the right direction! :)
so nice dress ! i loove it.
Thank you so much, Liochka :)
WOW!!! The sound of music, this isn’t. Curtains into a dress, how cool. And, it fits you just tremendously, looks so elegant. Love the neckline of this dress, so different.
Thank you so much! I am quite pleased with this one… I did resist the temptation to twirl around singing in the Savoy like Maria von Trapp…
Just stumbled across your blog by chance, man you’re an inspiration! You really make me want to throw myself in the art of sewing. Your work is truly amazing, thank you for sharing.
Cheers from Belgium,
M
Hello M, thanks for reading! I am so glad you found something inspirational here; stay tuned for more projects coming soon.
This is a fantastic transformation and you look so lovely in it. Very well done and I’m feeling inspired to cut up the curtains :)
Hi Annie, thanks for commenting! You are too kind!
Lovely! I wish my local charity shops had curtains that were worthy of turning into dresses – I’ll have to keep a look out for some! Thanks for the invisible zip tips too, always good to see different methods of doing things.
Keep looking Ruth, keep looking! The perfect curtains are out there somewhere!
That is a freaking STUNNING dress! It’s so simple but the straps and bodice really make it shine. Thanks for the zipper tutorial, I’m pretty much terrified of zippering. Love your blog!
Zips are a bit scary, and the first few are bound to go wrong, but once you’ve got a fail safe method for inserting them you’ll be fine. Really pleased you liked this dress, thanks for the kind comment.
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING…dress and model !!!!!!! What inspiration !!!
Thank you so much Mariann… I’m blushing :)
You look so gorgeous! Who would have known it was a humble curtain before? Bravo!
Thanks so much, I am quite happy with it! :)
Your a very talented lady and what a place to wear it out too. Looks like you had a great time.
We had a fantastic time actually – such a great setting! Thanks for reading!
Just goes to show that fabrics don’t HAVE to be used only for one kind of job!
Turned out really well, and – as always – lovely photos.
Hi Jenny, I am a big believer in using upholstery/quilt weight fabrics for garments, where appropriate. Thanks for reading!
You certainly seem to have fixed the fitting issues, it looks fantastic!! The fabric is just perfect for it. Perusing this pattern I wondered that it might be a tad young and … fleshy for me. But seeing this version I think I’ll be fine, you are the picture of class in this number. Me likey!
:) Thanks Amy! I think the wide strap version is less ‘fleshy’, one of the reasons I chose it. You could always add a bit more on to the neckline for coverage. I want mine to come up to the underarms, so I might do that next time.
You are a damn genius. A genius I say! Maria Von Trapp has nothing on you
Haha thank you Selina!
Lovely ! I love using “unusual” items for upcycling. Curtains, sheets, table cloths, etc. This is a perfect upcycle from a curtain fabric. The dress pattern is so cute…very unusual in the styling.
As always you did a fantastic job. :)
Me too, Kathie, me too. I like using different types of textiles and I get bored with plain old clothing fabrics sometimes. Thanks for commenting!
Lovely!!! I’m working on this pattern now and wanted to take the skinny strap variation. But I’m indecisive, and still in a stage where I can change to the wide strap variation which you used. It looks gorgeous on you, and I actually like this more covered up finish in the front. Even though I’ve seen very lovely skinny strap versions, the wide strap is a bit more chique and original. I’ll go for it too!
Hi Rose, I agree – I would have felt a little ‘exposed’ in the other version but the wider strap version is perfect for me. Glad you decided to go for it, hope it turned out well!