Finished Project: The 'Mixed Print & Feelings' Dress.

I love this dress but at the same time I don't

This is the same pattern I used for my Halloween Dorothy costume but for some reason I'm not loving this version as much as the gingham one.

It could be because of the mixed print. Or the lace. Or the 'cream' color which I am paranoid makes me look washed out.

Or maybe I picked a really shit time of the day to take photos and the lighting is crap.

When I wear this dress and look in the mirror, I'm very happy with it... but it does not photograph well - even Instagram couldn't make me happy with the photos... and Instagram always makes me happy.

I spent about 13 hours over 3 days on this dress and it was my first time sewing with lace and underlining. I got a lot of helpful tips from Gertie's blog.

The effort that went into this dress is priceless - I measured each pleat on the skirt carefully, handpicked the zip, hand sewed the lining to the shell, trimmed the skirt and lining with lace, added a waist stay, french seams.

I have mixed feelings about this dress... I made it with the intention of wearing it to a work function next week, but now I'm not so sure...

What are your thoughts?

• 0.5m lace (bodice)
• 0.5m satin underlining (bodice)
• 1m cotton/lycra (skirt and midriff band)
• 1m bemsilk (lining)
• Whisperweft interfacing

• 14" dress zipper
• 2m cream lace
• 2m black lace
• 1m grosgrain ribbon
• Bikini hook
• Gutermann thread

• French seams
• Underlining
• Handpicked zip
• Waist stay
• Sewing with lace (got tips from Gertie's blog post)
• Pleats
• Bodice lining

I think I'll be spending this weekend sewing up another dress!