Tuesday 29 September 2015

Carnival of the Animals: Part III - The Scrub Hen

As chaperone to the cheetah and the zebra it was fast becoming apparent that I was expected to choose an animal for "dressing up" to go to the opening night of The Carnival of the Animals.

The kids pestered me to pick one and, thinking I could just wear a simple, drab brown dress from out of my wardrobe, I nominated a "scrub hen".


That was too vague an answer for P, who wanted to know what exactly a scrub hen was. I wasn't even sure there was such a thing, it just sounded like a nice, plain brown, barely noticeable female bird. Somewhere along the way the answer got changed to Brush Turkey. The turkey part made the kids laugh so we went with that - although a Brush Turkey is actually quite a striking (in a weird turkey way) bird.

For the twitchers out there, what I was imagining was definitely more Mallee Fowl (the fact that you can barely see the birds in those Wiki pictures is perfect!)





OK, so you're probably not reading this blog to learn about Australian native fowl, right? Let's talk about this dress!

Although before we do, here's a close up of my earrings that I made myself with some feather trim and little metal crimps. I'd initially thought I'd make a feather decorated headband or "fascinator" type thing but that seemed like too much bother. These are pure costume jewellery and appropriately cheap and easy.


I had fallen in love with the Vogue Vena Cava dress when I saw Liesl's version. I tracked down a copy of the pattern which is out of print and not too easy to find. I had no immediate intention to make it, but when I saw this variegated brown jersey at GJs fabrics I knew I had my scrub hen dress.

I had correctly bought the larger of the two pattern sizes and I spent a few days looking at the pattern pieces and wondering how on earth I could merge from one size above the waist to a larger size at the hips (my usual required adjustment). They are decidedly odd looking pattern pieces!


Eventually I decided to stick with one size and just use a smaller seam allowance on the skirt part if needed. Then I looked at which size to choose and realised I was about 2-3" larger in all my measurements than the largest size! What?!! oops.

Oh well. I drafted off the largest size and cut it out anyway. It's stretchy fabric, and at $10 metre I was ready to fail if that was how it was to be.

I scared myself further as I spread the fabric out on the carpet where I do most of my cutting, pinned the pattern tracing and then cut. As I cut each piece it "pinged" back to the size it was before I'd carefully spread it and suddenly seemed considerably smaller than the traced pattern piece. It would seem the carpet was too grippy and had allowed the fabric to be stretched and stay stretched until cut.


Understandably I was feeling quite ready to fail with respect to producing a wearable dress. I decided to enjoy the process and learn from the pattern anyway.

I'm kind of habituated to sewing knit garments quickly and using the overlocker. The way these pattern pieces were going to go together that wouldn't be possible. I slowed down, followed the instructions and really enjoyed making the dress. This in progress Instagram photo shows the fun of having no idea how it's going to come together!

I kept the skirt's side seams as per the pattern due to the pocket construction, but I sewed the centre front (pointless with all that gathering) and centre back seams with a narrower seam allowance to give more wiggle room. I've no idea if it made a difference but I was worried if the backside was too tight there might be too much visible undies line.


I'm not the first one to say it, but it would probably be wise to drop the back hem a bit as the skirt has a tendency to lift at the centre back. Especially in contrast to the front that sinks a little with the weight of the long ties.

I also read other sewing blogs where it was noted that the sleeves sit lower than the pattern illustration. I wasn't fussed to change that as I kind of liked the idea of a bit more sleeve coverage. I didn't trouble with the topstitching of the sleeves as it would have been lost in the print, but I'd definitely make this dress again in a solid and do the topstitching as per the pattern.


The verdict? I love it! It's as easy to wear as t-shirt, it looks pretty dressy and it's brown. Perfection! Add in that it was a joy to make and I had no expectations of it working out and I really am quite delighted.

We were at the zoo on Monday morning before the theatre that night and a good friend kindly took some photos of me in my natural habitat, the "scrub".

Here I am using my big turkey feet to tend to my nest! :)


And then, in the evening, the kids and I headed off to the theatre. Our little animal tribe.

We had a great night out, the music was lovely and the acrobats amazing. I like to think we were the best dressed creatures prowling the city streets that night! Thanks for coming along for the ride.


29 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Meg. I will definitely want another of this dress.

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  2. The dress looks really great on you! It's definitely a sexy one, so your husband must like it too! :)

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    1. Thank you. I think he does, but he's not the effusive praising type. :)
      If it had been "difficult" I might have thrown my hands up, but it was more just a curious pattern to sew.

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  3. Also, way to preserve through all of those potential pitfalls. I think I would've been too intimidated! Your efforts were definitely worth it!

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  4. You look lovely and great dress-up day.

    http://the-renaissance-of-inner-fashion.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you Tanya. I love an excuse to make something to a theme.

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  5. Oh, you guys are the BEST!! Scrub hen, indeed! You are one hawt Brush Turkey, if I may say so. That dress is fantastic on you. I was biting my nails reading along about your various issues, though I knew it would turn out okay because I could see you looking fab in the final product! I agree with Rachel, I might have jumped ship!

    P.S. I read your blog for the sole purpose of learning about Australian native birds, so keep it up!

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    1. Ok, nerdy natural history notes will continue where warranted!
      Inder I don't know what I did to deserve the luck involved in this dress turning out so well. I'm probably heading for the mother of all sewing slumps. At least if that happens I can always just make pyjamas for the kids, right?!

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  6. Wow, that looks lovely on you, even if construction was rather challenging. Really a great style, and a great compliment to scrub hens and bush turkeys alike!

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    1. Thanks Marisa! The kids also suggested I should go as a gazelle. I thought that might be too much of a stretch of the imagination. That Mallee Fowl's figure is easier to imitate! :)
      - turns out it was only 'cause P wanted another prey animal.

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  7. All 3 outfits are A-mazing!

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  8. I love this little collection of hand mades! Your dress is beautiful. I get that it's inspired by a bird, but isn't costumey at all. Love the earrings too!

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    1. Thanks Kristi. Only the kids and I will know this is the scrub hen dress. Their clothes have turned out to be quite "everyday useful" as well.

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  9. I love that you went all out on these costumes! What a fun mom you are!

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    1. Going all out is what I like to do best! Thanks Elizabeth.

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  10. Love this dress on you and your attitude! I should adopt that for future projects instead of tormenting myself with a difficult pattern! The three of you look awesome together. Did you get many comments?

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    1. Thanks Ute. If I'm ever sewing expensive linen into trousers then I'm sure I'll be suitably tormented. :) We did get very appreciative comments from the box office staff at the theatre. I was happy the kids were properly attired (posh voice) as well as being animal-ed up.

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  11. Ack you did such a good job on all of these - I loooove your dress! Super hot.

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  12. Love that you took the effort to make fantastic outfits for the whole family so you can make the night out even more special. Yay to creative mums!

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    1. Isn't it fun being able to make stuff?! I'm still delighting in my kids being pleased and proud of their mum-made clothes.

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  13. All three outfits are wonderful - you struck a perfect balance between costume and couture! You are a very elegant scrub hen, and I got a good laugh from the turkey feet photo:) I hope this comment posts - Blogspot doesn't seem to like my Wordpress account...

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    1. The zoo is such fun, and if they put big turkey feet there, then sure as can be, I'm gonna use them!
      Your comment came through just fine. Twice in fact. I've opened up comments to anyone, even anonymous commenters, but then I moderate what gets published to control the spam. It may take a while for me to see the comment email and hit publish.
      Thanks for taking the time, I love hearing from you.

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  14. You look gorgeous! Well worth all the bother of dealing with stretchy, curly knit fabric.
    Its a great dress on you, make another one!

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  15. I love this pattern and you did a great job! I wish I could find a copy of the pattern!

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    1. Thanks Dani. Keep an eye on Ebay and Etsy, you never know when someone will sell a copy of an out of print pattern. good luck

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