1/2 yard of white ponte that was gifted to me for my birthday
Black/White/Grey rayon from the fabric collection via Fabric Mart
22" white invisible zipper
Pattern and Construction Info. ~
The first thing is that I made the corrections to the pattern pieces from the alterations I made to the first dress. Then I cut the bodice out of the white ponte fabric.
These are the alterations made to the bodice:
- added an inch to the bodice of the dress 2" below the armhole to lengthen it from the weird empire length of the original version. This was done to the front and back bodice pieces.
- raise the front and back darts 1/2" to make up for the additional length added to the bodice
- scooped out of the neckline 5/8" to make it a little deeper because it felt tight when I tried the dress on
- added small darts in the armholes to ease out excess fabric
- because I used a knit fabric for the bodice I took the side seams in an additional 1/4" so that the top fit closer to my bustline.
- added bias binding to the neckline and armholes to finish them
The skirt was cut from the rayon print:
1. I cut two pieces of fabric 43" long and the entire width of the fabric - 54"
2. After I had two pieces, I cut one piece in half lengthwise.
3. The three pieces were serge finished.
4. Then the two shorter pieces were sewn on either side of the main piece to form the side seams.
5. To gather the top seam, I used my favorite method - zig zagging over dental floss. Then the dental floss was gathered, spreading the gathering equally around the skirt.
6. I used lots of pins to hold the gathered skirt to the bodice
7. The bodice and skirt were carefully stitched together. The seam was pressed down into the skirt and the gathers were pressed flat.
8. I cut 2" off the hem after I let the dress hang for a week allowing the rayon fabric to grow. Hemmed the dress with a 1" hem allowance and three rows of stitching.
A few pictures of the finished dress ~
Dress without the ribbon belt
Dress worn with a RTW cardigan
Conclusion ~
Due to the fact that my photographer has been very busy this summer, I wore this prior to blogging about it. So here is the wearability report. I wore it on a really hot and humid day and it was perfect both inside the office and while moving around outside. I love the flow and the width of the rayon skirt. Using the ponte for the top gave me a close but comfortable fit. I've photographed it with & without a black grosgrain ribbon, however, I didn't wear the ribbon to work.
This year I really wanted several full flowy skirted maxi dresses. This dress more than fulfills my desire, especially since I can feel the difference when wearing the two different styles. If I get a chance to make another maxi dress before the summer ends, it will be another flowy skirt kind. I've really loved wearing these maxi dresses this summer and would like a few more.
...as always more later!
I love this! Ponte and rayon looks like a dream combination. And that print on the skirt is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for detailing your fit modifications, it is a great help for those of us trying to make a few TNT patterns. Your dress looks great and is a great inspiration for me!
ReplyDeleteMarie
Don't you just love rayon challis? Living in hot, humid Houston I've sewing this fabric for years and now it's finally popular. Your dress looks cool (in both definitions of the word)! Karen
ReplyDeleteGreat combination of fabric! The dress is beautiful! You did a great job & you look lovely!
ReplyDeleteLovely dress. For the hem did you have three rows of topstitching spaced apart?
ReplyDeleteYes, Frugal Mom, they are about 1/4" apart from each other. It gave some weight to the hem and helped it not float away!
DeleteThat should be some stability not weight...
DeleteLovely dress, and you look great in it.
ReplyDeleteLove it! My kind of summer look --cool, comfy, and casual.
ReplyDeleteThis dress is so good! It looks great on you by itself and with the blazer. Love that rayon print.
ReplyDeleteThis is just gorgeous on you. Perfectly proportioned.
ReplyDeleteI was pursuing the links on one my regular reads: malepatternboldness and came to view your posts. I wanted to say how much I admire your sense of style. You craft beautiful, personalized,elegant garments, that truly capture the ideal of "chic". Enjoyed reading your blog and seeing your work.
ReplyDeleteUppereast74 - thank you! What a kind thing to say and thanks from coming over from Peter's blog!
DeleteLove this -- it looks so pretty and so comfortable! I especially like the last picture where you're having some FUN!
ReplyDeleteI do this a lot, I wear the dress with a top over it in the winter and with very light blouse in summer. We do not have hot weather, so it is just right for me. And at my age I can wear whatever I love, and I do.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! I love the idea of a ponte bodice and a long, swishy rayon skirt. I may have to copy you!
ReplyDeleteShannon - copy away!
DeleteLovely maxi. I used that same rayon fabric to make a bias cut drape neck top. I loved sewing with it.
ReplyDeleteI too like the ponte bodice and rayon for the skirt, seems like a nice combination.
Diffinatly looks comfortable/flowy.... and that can be the tell-all. If it's comfortable then that is a win-win.
ReplyDeleteDiffinatly looks comfortable/flowy.... and that can be the tell-all. If it's comfortable then that is a win-win.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, breezy summer dress!
ReplyDeleteI love the combination of fabric - what another beautiful maxi dress you've made!
ReplyDeleteReally a great sew! Love it.
ReplyDeleteoh my, I'll be saving this idea to my mental filing cabinet - the combination of ponte and rayon is genius. Very nice!! Glad it was comfortable in the heat, too.
ReplyDelete