i took 56 pictures of the bee in this dress, and i got three usable shots. three! poor lighting, a tired model, and uber red fabric all conspired against me. oh well.

i drafted and sewed this dress months ago – it’s actually the second iteration, and i’m much more fond of the first (which i hope to share within the next few weeks). it has a kimono sleeve, with over the arm seams, a long center pleat, and welt pockets. the rib for the pocket, sleeve and collar are all hand dyed (i only had white, black or grey. that would not do.)

i’m quite happy with my little circular welt pocket! i made a few trials before the final, to really be sure that i had it right. i should have taken notes, because for the life of me i cannot remember how i made this, and i’m going to have to do the research all over again!

this is the bee’s favorite pose of the moment. there’s a song they sing at school that has “doo wop, doo wop” in it, and they point their fingers and move them up and down. it’s pretty cute!

the red fabric is robert kaufmann jersey, which i generally like a lot. as satisfied as i am with the pocket, i do think that all that fabric and stitching going on is a bit heavy for the jersey. i would love this with a sweatshirt fleece and a straight-up kangaroo type pocket. something you could bury your hands in to keep warm. but maybe that’s the -15 degree weather talking.

the kimono sleeves and over the arm seam make this a cinch to cut out and sew, which, along with a mod style, was exactly what i was going for. i’ve been thinking about making a color-blocked version to eliminate the over arm seam ever since i finished the last stitches on this one. it’s like an ear worm. i’m going to have to make it at some point.

A sailor went to sea sea sea
To see what he could see see see
But all that he could see see see
Was the bottom of the deep blue sea sea sea
A sailor went to chop chop chop
To see what he could chop chop chop
But all that he could chop chop chop
Was the bottom of the deep blue chop chop chop
A sailor went to china
To see what he could china
But all that he could china
Was the bottom of the deep blue china
A sailor went to doo wop doo wop
To see what he could doo wop doo wop
But all that he could doo wop doo wop
Was the bottom of the deep blue doo wop doo wop
A sailor went to see see see
To see what he could chop chop chop
But all that he could china
Was the bottom of the deep blue doo wop doo wop