Deer and Doe Belladone – Inspiration!
I’m currently working on making my first ever Belladone dress, by the very chic French pattern company Deer & Doe. Yes, I am super-late to the party, but what of it? I loved this pattern when it first came out, and have been wanting to make it for quite some time, but I never seemed to get around to buying it.
Well, this time I didn’t need to buy the pattern, because my dear friend and general sewing enabler Aileen (and co-founder of this blog under the pseudonym of Julia Bennett) sent me the pattern in the post! Thank you Aileen 🙂 In fact almost everything about this dress was Aileeen’s idea: I bought the fabric and she sent me the pattern, and she suggested using hot pink bias binding. That girl knows me so well!
Anyway…the dress isn’t quite finished yet, but I wanted to show you some of my favourite Belladones that kept on tempting me to make my own. The sewing community is full of so much inspiration and creativity, and it’s nice to recognise that from time to time by writing about what other people have made rather than about what you have made!
So, in no particular order, here are 7 of my favourite Belladone dresses. I’m only showing the backs of them, because that’s the best feature of the pattern in my opinion! It does feel a bit odd to be posting photos of other people’s backs…but I sought everyone’s permission first!
First up is Jo’s ‘Brighton Belladone’ – (The Amazing Adventures of Taracat) – I love this classic floral with the black contrast, and I like how Jo chose to use exposed bias binding on the upper edge of the lower back bodice pieces, too.
Amanda’s black and white polka dot Belladone – (Bimble and Pimble) – An absolutely classic choice of fabric here…might I even say ‘totally rad’!
Lizzie’s first of three Belladones (Busy Lizzie in Brizzy) – I love the bold colours of the fabric and the contrast bias-binding in this version, and the piped waistband!
Rachel’s reflective Belladone, aka ‘The Tron Dress’ (My Messings) – Rachel made this dress with reflective bias binding trim and used it everywhere she possibly could, for a practical but super-cute cycling dress! Click through to her post to see how it looks in artificial light for the full reflective glory!
Lynne’s ‘Lagoon’ Chambray Belladone (Ozzy Blackbeard) – a great example of how good this dress looks in a solid colour without contrast binding on the raw edges.
Lauren’s stripy Belladone (Lladybird) – I love how Lauren has played around with the stripe placement on this dress to get really cool effects!
And, last but by no means least, Sonja’s lace Belladone (Ginger Makes) – the fabric choice makes this a wonderful special occasion dress – very elegant!
And that’s my top 7! What beauty, what talent, what inspiration! I don’t know how well my version will turn out yet – hopefully it will look good! I’ll be back later in the week to show you! If you’ve made a Belladone and you have a link to it, feel free to post it below in the comments so I can have a nosy at it!
Bye for now!
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Thanks for sharing these gorgeous makes. Yet another pattern to add to my ‘To Do’ list! Can’t wait to see your creation. Happy sewing!
Thank you! I hope it’s going to turn out nicely!
I’m so excited to see yours! I have a third version in the works right now in a bit of an, um, unusual fabric! 😉
Ooooooooohh, you tease! Looking forward to seeing it!
The horizontal drag lines in every dress but the polka dot one at the center back neck are distracting. Maybe they are attached too tightly, maybe not, but in the last brown lace one it looks very homemade with that fabric pulling in that area.So many cute versions.
I am looking forward to seeing YOUR version! Thanks for sharing all the others.
I hope it won’t disappoint!
Having seen a picture of your fabric out drying on the line I can’t wait to see it all made up. Hurry up woman, hurry up! xxx
*gets up off sofa and goes to sewing room*
I’m really looking forward to seeing yours and thanks for the link up. This pattern is definitely one of my faves 🙂
You’re welcome. I’m excited to see how mine turns out!
Love Lauren’s stripy one but most things look cute on her!!!
Very true!
Thanks for featuring my dress, and good luck with yours. Busy Lizzie’s Belladone is one of my favourites too.
You’re very welcome! 🙂
I am now looking ford to seeing your version! The pattern is great another one to go on the list …