Warning: the bodice is ridonculously short. I made a quick muslin of the top, and ultimately added 1 1/4" because, as drafted, it only made it half-way down my bust. I also added 3" to the length so that I wasn't married to the super-short length at the end.
Other than those changes, the dress was easy to make, even the ruffles (they are self-lined, instead of finished with a narrow hem).
The entire inside, except the waistband, is finished with french seams - including the bust dart. Here's the pattern piece, and the finished dart.
I probably won't make this again. It's a really cute dress, but the gathering is a little poufy. It's more pronounced than on the pattern envelope, and this is a really lightweight material. My husband likes the dress, but noted that it could double as a maternity garment if we were ever to have children. Ouch. He backpaddled by pointing out that it really only looks blousy from the side.
Regardless, I think it will be a great alternative to shorts on those 90 degree days that just seem so far away right now...
* * *
We're headed to Spain tomorrow for 10 days of sightseeing and jamon-eating (and perhaps some fabric shopping: a reader suggested Ribes & Casals in Madrid. Thanks!) See you back here in a few weeks!
24 comments:
I like your version much more than the pattern envelope, I think because of the brighter fabric and the change you made to the bodice. It will be a great dress to wear when it does get hot!
Your dress is very cute! Such a great dress for summer. :]
Have a great trip, when I first saw this dress, I thought, wow, this is a nightie, but I see it has potential now that you made it, still not for me, but I love the print you used and it will be a nice summer dress indeed
I like your version more than the pattern envelop! Adding a little more length to the bodice made a big difference. I think it will be a dress that makes more sense in the dog days of summer. You will be able to look cute and pulled together and still stay cool.
Have a great time in Spain, show us some pictures when you get home!
Much better than the envelope, I agree. And that dress might be useful if you end up with too much jamon-eating ;) Have a great time in Spain!!
At the risk of repeating everyone else, yours looks so much better than the original! When I saw that first, it just looked shapeless and uninteresting to me - yours is cute! I love the print! Hope you get some hot weather in Spain so you can wear it!
Bon voyage!
I can't wait for summer either -- or spring, for that matter. You're ready with this dress! Just think of those hot sticky summer days, you'll be breezing around in this cute little number. :)
Very pretty!! I love the colors in the fabric.
Your version is SO much nicer than the one on the model. I LOVE that ikat print.
Enjoy Spain :)
very cute dress! You are smart to sew for summer now so you'll have this when it gets hot.
Enjoy Spain!
While you may feel goofy wearing it right now, you look amazing. What a gorgeous, summery dress.
Your version is excellent. This pattern on the model hit at such an odd bust point when I looked at it numerous times. You really identified the problem and corrected it.
Great dress !
I absolutely love this print! really lovely dress the fabric is fantastic.
I have nominated you for a blog award on my own blog.
Swing by beebeesvintagedress.blogspot.com
Have a great day.
Stevie x
Oooh, have fun in Spain. I adored it!
Love this dress. Joann does have the occasional gem (but only very occasional).
I've never heard of a French-seamed dart. You learn something new every day!
JoAnn's certainly came up trumps with that fabric - it is very lovely and very on trend for this season! It is perfect for that style. As you predict, I think that this beautiful dress will be just the thing for hot summer days - I think it will look wonderfully cool and casual with flat sandals but will also dress up with some heels and the right jewelry.
It's really lovely! You look great. I like the fabric too. Pretty, pretty!
Well, that means that now you are traveling here ... Well, not exactly, but I hope you enjoy much of your vacation and bring with you a lot of pictures.
Hey now, don't go dissing on JoAnn's. Personally I can't stand to shop elsewhere. This could have to do with me being quite poor and cheap, so 40% off coupons every time I buy fabric make me happy. To be fair I tend to work with lots of flannel and broadcloth (I am also a crappy sewer who can't do anything, all of my clothes close with either velcro or bias tape ties). I love your clothes you have made, and am going to follow your blog, even with the JoAnn's insult :P
Really darling dress. You chose the perfect print fabric for that pattern.
I think this is such a pretty summer dress! I actually had it flagged because the empire waist seems perfect for my expanding waistline, but it definitely doesn't look like a maternity garment. Your husband might need a quick boot in the bum for that comment!
Great dress! Love the fabric! Hehe.. I would be totally wearing that around here in Texas. You're totally inspiring me to make some summer dresses! :)
Lovely. I'm just putting on the winter coats downunder.
No way does that look like a maternity dress! Ignore him! Your version looks lovely and actually far, far better than the original. It looks like the model on the pattern envelope is wearing a dress that is too small and tight across the bust which put me off buying it. It looks so much better the way you have made it with the longer bodice length. Enjoy Spain!
WOW! Great collection. Purple is the color of choice for every woman. I like it very much.
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