FRIDAY SEWS - 31 MARCH '23 - SEW FRUGAL 23 REVEAL & GERTIE SOCIETY DRESS

It's Sew Frugal 23 Reveal day, so here's what I made and I thought I'd show you my version of the Gertie Society Dress
My Sew Frugal 23 Video
• #SEWFRUGAL23 - SPRING ...
Denim Maxi Skirts
Spoonflower DIY Denim Skirt
blog.spoonflower.com/2018/04/...
Lago Tank - Itch To Stitch
itch-to-stitch.com/product/la...
Avelia Bomber - Mood SewCiety
www.moodfabrics.com/blog/the-...
Rib Knit Cuffing - Amazon*
amzn.to/40MzVY4
* This is an affiliate link, it will not cost you any more to purchase any patterns via the link, but I will receive a percentage which will help towards the costs of running this channel.
Orchid Spray Viscose Jersey - Minerva Exclusive Print (gifted in exchange for blog post)
www.minerva.com/mp/1422135/mi...
Society Dress - Gertie's Patreon
/ gertiesworld
You can find me hanging around here;
Instagram / alexjudgesews
Blog: www.alexjudgesews.com/
Pinterest www.pinterest.co.uk/AlexJudge...

[@ChristineSewsALot]

Most of the time when I sew darts I do it your way. I love to sew garments , I enjoy bag making, maybe one day I will love quilting.

[@helenversteeg4516]

The Gertie dress looks absolutley amazing on you!

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Oh thank you!

[@joannebanks2147]

Hello Alex Hope you had a great time on the weekend with your family I say wear the dress it Fits you nicely you can dress it down with white trainers and a jean jacket Or a short cardigan and short boots or wedge heels that aren't very high casual smart Jersey is comfortable It must be spring fever I also have lots of ideas for spring wardrobe Happy sewing Take care

[@vintagegirl68]

The Gertie dress, it's beautiful!! You look great.

[@annettecowburn-sz8cq]

You have to wear the dress as it is beautiful ! I'm not a fan of vintage but it's all about the accessories, and that dress will look so current with trainers or boots. Love your sew frugal makes too, the skirt is stunning.

[@michellebeyer1096]

I love the Gertie dress on you - I can picture it in Autumn/Winter with some tan suede boots and maybe a chunky cardi or knitted vest. Equally nice with a pair of heels - a very versatile make that I hope you wear more than you imagine! Great video as always.

[@mysewingpractice]

I love your videos! I have very squeaky floor boards too, I didn't even hear them. Have a great sewing week.

[@ayolag]

Great makes as always! The Gertie dress looks timeless not just vintage. I wish I had the confidence for that waistline. The fitted jeans skirt is more up my alley. This is a trend I can get behind. It’s on my make nine. Happy Easter.

[@kaywilliams3435]

Love, love love your dress Alex! Please don’t give up on it, it looks really good on you, the fabric design, the colour and the style. Try it out like others have said with different footwear.

[@jaynetrees8649]

Hi Alex. I'm with Helen, the Gertie dress looks great on you.

[@TheHaymeadow]

The Society dress looks fabulous and to be honest, I’d put it on with some white sneakers or some flats/mules (the shoes you modelled the denim skirt would be perfect in my opinion) and wear it on any given day! Shopping, running errands, appointments. It’s a jersey, treat it like jeans and a nice Tshirt 😉 I’m glad you persisted with the denim skirt, looks fantastic and reminds me of one I had in the mid 00s that I loved. Hope the move goes well, can be a difficult time when trying to encourage someone else, particularly a matriarch to downsize her possessions. However it will be good having her that but closer ❤ Have a great Easter and I look forward to your next vlog whenever that appears 🌺🌺

[@TodayinJensSewingRoom]

You look amazing in both the skirt and dress. Like, wow!

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Awww Jen ❤❤❤

[@maggiecawthorn5653]

I really really like the dress I would wear it any time but with boots or sneakers it’s such a great fit

[@beccab6568]

That dress looks amazing on you - both the color/print and the style/fit are very flattering!!!

[@cjane51]

The Gertie dress looks great! Reconsider wearing it to the sewing retreat

[@gerrysiebert8639]

The denim skirt is fab!

[@jacquiehonnor4989]

You look stunning in that dress ❤

[@jacquelineclifford8285]

You could try talcum powder in the gaps of your squeaky floorboards. We did that in an old house we used to live in and it does work. Love your makes. The skirt is very flattering. 😊

[@jennetthamilton971]

I'm so glad you were able to fix the denim skirt to fit. I always think we sewists notice details on clothing that non sewists never see. The dress really looks lovely. I know while I love dresses they don't suit my life style. I do think a denim skirt will, so hopefully, I will get one made this spring using denim from my stash. I didn't notice the squeaky floorboard sound until you mentioned it. I live in a very old house, and squeaky floorboards are part of it's charm. Or at least I tell myself that.

[@beth3535]

The Gertie dress is very flattering on you. Tall boots with a higher heel would be striking.

[@peggybogason8919]

The Gertie dress looks fabulous on you!

[@mel_issa__]

The skirt is STUNNING 😍

[@badkitty13]

You're so talented. I think everything looks great. Well done you for not giving up on the skirt, I think it looks very sexy and elegant. We'll worth all the stress, hassle and time to make it work. Your dress fabric is beautiful x

[@zornikzornuk3187]

The dress looks great thanks for sharing

[@suebray3633]

You look beautiful in the Gertie dress

[@carolreece9950]

I love your dress, it looks fabulous on you.

[@sheryllipschitz2772]

The Gertie dress looks stunning on you

[@clairehemingway9642]

I am so impressed that you unpicked your skirt - it looks amazing and well worth the effort. I very much doubt I’d be able to bring myself to do that. The dress looks great but I understand the feeling of ‘when on earth am I going to wear it’ - I’m very guilty of that. I have a wardrobe of beautiful dresses that are probably a bit much for dog walking, pottering …. I hope you manage to fit in some sewing along with all your family commitments over the next few weeks.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Thank you so much!

[@joli43]

Good on you Alex. So glad you made the effort. And, I don't know about you, but I have clothes in my closet that are for those days when I need a little extra yardage and I also have clothes that are slightly smaller for the other days. It is just in the nature of many, to fluctuate a bit in size. I really like how it looks on you and I am glad your are enjoying wearing it.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

That's so true 😄❤

[@lyndathomas4399]

The dress is gorgeous on you! It also makes you look taller and leaner (not that you need to be either taller or thinner) but this is a dress you can wear for shopping, meet up with friends, out for coffee, in the evening for dinner ..... really try to see if you can't fit this into your life. Great dress for you..

[@rosierycroft166]

Hi Alex, love the Gertie dress on you, it fits so beautifully! I would team it with a pair of white sneakers for the spring which would dress it down…. Perfect for a lunch out with Dave! Have a lovely Easter ❤

[@rosierycroft166]

Oh and the denim skirt….. a triumph 🎉

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Right, I'll keep trying it. Maybe I need to buy new shoes 😀

[@dennishansen7695]

I think both outfits look stunning on you, find some place to wear the dress you will "stop traffic"....you look so beautiful in it. Joyce

[@AlexJudgeSews]

What a lovely comment Joyce - thank you ❤

[@suek7086]

I like the way the denim skirt turned out! It looks lovely on you.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Thank you! 😊

[@debrariley2057]

I think the Gertie dress looks fab, I totally get the all dressed up and no where to go thing. We have all made a vision from our heads, Mine was a ,long line jacket/cardigan the vision was strong and I made it, but when I reflected on it, it just gave me the dressing gown vibe, it hangs looking reproachful, as I try to think of how to salvage it. Thank you for taking the time to share.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

I can totally relate, years ago my boss bought me a Max Mara coat (I know!) that had no buttons and a tie belt. The sales assistant said to me you must never belt it at the front, Max Mara don't design dressing gowns 😂

[@sarahodonnell6957]

Wow your dress is just gorgeous. Your fabric choice makes it very wearable. Hats off to you altering your skirt, well done you pulled it off beautifully. 🙌❤️💙

[@AmandaCurnow]

Wear the dress to the meetup! it's a brilliant make, you look radiant and it will be perfect for spring. perhaps some cream shoes?

[@AlexJudgeSews]

or, I could wear it during the day with trainers maybe - just typing aloud 😂

[@nancyhilborn885]

The Gerdie dress is gorgeous. I don't see why you couldn't wear it with white tennis shoes and a jean jacket or oversized rumpled blazer for a comfortable dressed down look. I think that however you wear your Armadale dresses, you could wear this one. That said, I agree that we sometimes get caught up in a project and mistakenly think it will 'go with everything' or be flattering and find it isn't. My paisley Vogue skirt from last spring is a case in point. Glad your jean skirt worked out in the end. Have a happy Easter 🐣🐰🌷

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Thanks Nancy, I want to make it work maybe I need to keep trying different shoes etc. 😘

[@mayzienicholson9059]

I think the girtie dress looks amazing on you, but I do think if it was 10 cm longer, it would look perfect :)

[@Bluemagilla]

Thanks for showing your new creations. I love the skirt! The tank is great and I can see you wearing the Society dress with trainers or chunky boots and a Jean jacket. Cheers!

[@lynnhart3712]

Love the Gertie dress on you. Perfect for dinner dates, theater, opera, anniversary, weddings, graduations and company dos.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

ooooh guess who has another child graduating this year? Brilliant idea ❤

[@Frugalisama]

Good save on the skirt Alex, very frugal 👍 I love the dress, agree the hood cowl thing would’ve been odd on that length. I’m sure when you watch this back & see it on yourself you’ll find ways to wear, I’ve also been guilty of getting carried away with the vintage vibe, it’s not my lifestyle but sometimes it’s an itch you’ve got to scratch!

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Didn't want to get told off for wasting fabric Sam 😂. I think I knew it wasn't a practical dress for me, but still it had to be made ❤

[@Frugalisama]

@@AlexJudgeSews 🤣

[@karolmolpus9536]

Natural ballet flats would be beautiful with dress.

[@Hide_and_silk]

Love your dress!

[@jozellemakes]

The Gertie Dress looks amazing! Pair it with white sneakers and youre all set 😍😍

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Oh thank you!

[@TheOnlyJennySutton]

The Gertie dress looks fabulous - it really fits well and the colours are perfect on you! You

[@baxter3877]

The dress is absolute perfection on you and colour is so complimentary. Your jeans skirt turned out beautifully. You should be proud of all the work you put in to altering the fit.

[@mariontilton8494]

Love the denim skirt. I made that pattern for my granddaughter it's great. Love love love the floral dress. I think if you styled it with skin toned shoes it would look even better. You s h ould to the seing thing.

[@lysaburgess6412]

I think your Society Dress looks fab! But I totally identify with our need to make things that work for our day to day life, and am trying to do that myself. However, it's good to have 'something special' in the wardrobe for those (for me) rare occasions when you need it and then stress about having nothing to wear. Your Society Dress will have it's day!!

[@AlexJudgeSews]

I really hope so, ❤

[@protu56]

Loving the dress! I would wear it with white trainers 🙂

[@wali1449]

All the garments are amazing on you, especially the Gertie dress.👏👏👏

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Thank you so much!

[@howardpennpenn]

As always a fabulous chat and great garments! ❤Good luck with the move! Andrea x

[@elainemariesews2683]

Alex, the things you made are great😊, that Gertie dress looks lovely on you.

[@funkyneeniestuff]

Your Gertie dress is absolutely gorgeous and beautiful on you.

[@janspenno2241]

I Love your dress! Looks fab

[@nataliestanchevski4628]

I don't think the Society dress looks too fancy to wear in everyday life in that fabric. You can pair it with white trainers or brown sandals for spring/summer, and brown boots for fall/winter. If it was velvet or satin maybe it would be over the top but I think this print is great for day wear. And you look fab in it.

[@ukiewife]

Love all your makes, Alex! 😍 I hope your MIL's move isn't too stressful for her or for you and Dave. Looking forward to your next video, whenever you're able to fit that into your busy schedule. 😊

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Thank you, I'm not sure if moving someone else is more or less stressful than moving yourself to be honest, but it'll be great in the long term - hopefully 😄

[@ibelieveinpandas]

The denim skirt looks so chic! And I love the dress too. It is very flattering on you. I think perhaps in a different print or solid it would look a bit dressier.

[@ceciliaf1592]

That dress looks fabulous on you. Why not wear it? You're an excellent sewist. Sometimes a comfortable make seems too basic but that dress is just perfect. Maybe a nude shoe would give it the right look. Thank you for your videos!

[@jennistevenson796]

That dress looks gorgeous on you x

[@marymclaughlin1907]

Your Gertie dress is fabulous on you! I’m quite surprised you don’t love it! And the jeans skirt is great. Remember denim stretches as you wear it, so it will grow less tight during the day 😊

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Thank you, I may never wash the denim skirt 😂

[@sewmuchsewing]

Great job fixing the denim skirt, it looks so good on you. I would have ditched it myself, I think your dedication to the premise of Sew Frugal is a amazingly admirable! The Gertie Dress IS wearable! You could wear it down to Tescoes or out to lunch etc, with some knee boots underneath and a longline cardy over the top - or a semi cropped jersey/jumper - it would be almost a bit boho. I would wear it that way anyway.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Great ideas, thanks - how did you know that Tesco is where I hang out? 😂

[@christinemartin9449]

What a shame that you won't be wearing the Society dress at the Gathering because it looks really great on you and your colours. I know what you mean about making clothes for your lifestyle. If you look in my wardrobe you would think that I have a 'ladies that lunch' most days kind of life. I just love making all the elegant dresses! I have just rained my self in by saying 'is it relevent to my life' before I make something. Mind you, I have made a jump suit for the Gathering that I will struggle to wear again! Have a great Easter and see you on 15th.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Christine I thought you were a Lady who lunches, you're always so sophisticated 😘

[@christinemartin9449]

@@AlexJudgeSews Oh Alex, I wish!x

[@janethiggs2663]

That Gertie dress looks fab on you. If it were mine and I had your figure, I would wear it all the time! (Even though I rarely go further than the supermarket!)😊

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Ahh Janet we're hanging out at the same high end venues then 😂. I'm off to Ikea later and that's quite the adventure

[@lisajones1036]

Great save on the denim skirt Alex, looks amazing. I have the same shape as you, as in a bit of a tummy and thought it wouldn’t look good but you’ve inspired me to make this skirt for myself. Happy Easter, Cheers 👍🏻

[@AlexJudgeSews]

yeah, but Lisa made it so you can actually breath in yours 😂

[@annadortheaaasbjerg9970]

So nice to see that you made your skirt work. It fits beautifully! Your Gertie dress is literally the dress of my dreams! It's vintage-y, but not so much that it can't be worn in frequent rotation (in my wardrobe at least) when made up in that gorgeous fabric.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Argh you're making me feel I gave up too quickly 😂😘

[@jonelder1204]

The Society Dress looks fabulous on you, but I do understand your point about not knowing where you'd wear it. I find it the hardest part about 'sewing' - making things that are everyday wearable and not getting distracted. I think one of the problems with more vintagey dresses (which I also always love the look of) is that, to me, they tend to look best with heels and I never wear those any more.

[@jenfavc]

Talcum powder on the squeaky floorboards!

[@beth3535]

Very becoming dress!!!

[@michellem3899]

I love your dress. I think you could wear it with trainers just for running around in. Nice work fixing your denim skirt.

[@MsHighpeaks]

The centre seam at the back isn’t central I wonder if that’s altering the fit on the hip? Lovely skirt

[@robynjury4403]

I love both these makes so much. When you make the skirt, did the denim.have any stretch? I just want to copy it!! I also think your dress is absolutely gorgeous on you, surely there could be some occasion even if only a couple of times a year, it's just so lovely on you. But I do hear you, I have had fantasies in my head which I have realized and loved the process...but which haven't got worn much.....

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Not a bit of stretch! if only 😂.

[@rhondathiessen350]

I love the Gertie dress. It looks amazing on you. I’d love the pattern but it seems you can’t buy it without joining.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

No you can't, but you can just join for a month and you still have access to all entire catalogue of patterns.

[@elisestewart5416]

Fabulous Society dress that looks great on you. The cowl did look odd - not sure how it would look right on a dress unless it was a heavier fabric to make a coat dress or really thin to look like a draped back but that would be a woven? I wear casual nearly all the time for my outdoor job and my outdoor lifestyle but I go ballroom dancing and the big plus is somewhere to occasionally dress up and be very girly lol. I know what you mean about so many ideas and too little time - my head is always full of ideas.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

I love the sound of that, how brilliant to have an excuse to dress up!

[@lorainemunro7969]

🐯

[@lynnewambeek2284]

Absolutely adore this Gertie dress on you....pair it up with some Dr. Martens 🙂

[@threadtherapy251]

I can see that dress styled with long boots or DM’s and an oversized cardigan. I think you just need to ‘dirty’ it up a bit. It looks fabulous on you, perhaps shortening it a bit might convince you to wear it.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Yes, yes, dirtying it up is exactly what'll make me feel more 'me' ❤

[@lindacrusco-stebbins9187]

Hi Alex - I think your dress looks great but I know what you mean about making something & then wondering where in the world we might actually wear it. I have a question for you. A while back you updated us on how you turn your iron on using Alexa. Recently I got a new Rowenta steam generator. The iron works great but the automatic shut off is driving me nuts & from what I'd found all new irons/steam generators have this. What kind of iron do YOU have? & would you recommend it? thanks, linda

[@janeybwells2810]

I have a Phillips steam generator iron and this shut off feature drives me nuts too.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

I don't have a particularly swanky iron, first off I tried a remote control plug that was great, but died after a few weeks. Now I have my iron plugged into an Alex plug, so I just tell Alexa to turn it on or off. It means I keep it set to a mid temperature . It's also handy when you go out and think you've left it switched on.

[@lindacrusco-stebbins9187]

I tried the Alexa & it doesn't work because the iron is programmed to only turn on when you press the button but it's the auto shut off that is really a pain. That's why I wanted to know the make of your iron because I take it that it doesn't have this auto shut off that all new irons do. Help!

[@jenniferchaplin5360]

Serious question: given that you seem to hack every pattern you use why on earth would you ever buy any more patterns? Why not just alter the ones you already have in order to copy images that you admire????

[@AlexJudgeSews]

I used to do that, but got fed up with the constant tweaking and making toiles, this way works better for me 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@dbdesignsandsewingaustrali5668]

Hi Alex thanks for all the tips on the Society Dress, I may need to make a different facing for a velvet dress I have seen that many dresses have a bit of an issue in the centre front, Deb 🧵🪡💕

[@AlexJudgeSews]

ooh glad to have helped, I look forward to seeing yours Deb

[@carolspooner7798]

That society dress looks fabulous on you. I would wear it everywhere! You look smashing!

[@AlexJudgeSews]

😄 I'll keep trying different shoes etc until I find something I feel comfortable in.