Fabric journeys enthrall me. I love how if you cut the fabric on the bias or the cross grain it gives the fabric and the final garment a totally different look. So I love taking those journeys...and that's what this dress is all about. I mean besides the comfort and ease of wearing factor the dress provides.
Supplies ~
o 3 yards of a striped linen purchased from Fabric Mart - from the collection purchased in the last five years
o 22" orange invisible zipper from the notions collection
o Remnant of orange bias binding for the armholes
Construction Techniques ~
This dress is all about manipulating the stripes. I really wanted to make them meet at the center front and then chevron through the side front and back panels. Well it didn't exactly meet at the front seam but it does seem to work in a weird way.
I cut the center front, front and back sides on the bias. The center back is cut on the straight grain. I didn't want to deal with putting a zipper into a wavy back.
However, in the pictures of the back of the dress, it seems as if those side back pieces are poufing out a bit as I move around. Honestly I don't care and no one but a sewist would probably notice but "truth in sewing" here, folks! *LOL* If I realized they hung that way I probably would have done something different during construction.
The other thing to note is because I used mostly bias pieces for the top and the waist seam is heavy (full of gathering) I added some twill tape to stabilize that seam. I didn't want it growing and causing the dress to hang funny.
The inseam pockets were omitted from this version, not enough fabric to cut them out. All of the fabric in the skirt seemed to make the side slits featured in the pattern unnecessary.
Otherwise the construction is the same as the original Simplicity dress.
A Few Pictures ~
This one seems fuller with the drapier fabric than the original one does. Even though I was contemplating a solid version, I'm packing this pattern away for now. Two journeys with this pattern seems enough.
The other thing to note is because I used mostly bias pieces for the top and the waist seam is heavy (full of gathering) I added some twill tape to stabilize that seam. I didn't want it growing and causing the dress to hang funny.
The inseam pockets were omitted from this version, not enough fabric to cut them out. All of the fabric in the skirt seemed to make the side slits featured in the pattern unnecessary.
Otherwise the construction is the same as the original Simplicity dress.
A Few Pictures ~
This one seems fuller with the drapier fabric than the original one does. Even though I was contemplating a solid version, I'm packing this pattern away for now. Two journeys with this pattern seems enough.
When I took these pictures this morning at 9:30am, it was already hot and humid outside. With the amount of fabric in this dress, as well as the weight of the fabric, this is NOT a hot & humid kinda day dress. But 100 degree days don't happen much in the spring or late summer so it will be perfect then.
I made this dress back in late April/early May when I thought I would be going back to the office this summer. Because of that it hasn't been worn except for these pictures and it probably won't be until next spring. I'm wearing the throw on dresses, Katie tops, Myosotis dresses and wide legged pants that work with my stay at home style since I won't be going back to NYC until the fall.
I've been pulling fabric to match with maxi dress patterns. Although I'm falling back on a couple of TNT patterns for my next two maxi dresses. I finally broke down and bought a 6 yard piece of fabric and just like I thought, I'd moved on by the time it arrived. Since I'm home there hasn't been a lot of fabric purchasing going on BUT a lot of digging in the fabric collection.
I've been pulling fabric to match with maxi dress patterns. Although I'm falling back on a couple of TNT patterns for my next two maxi dresses. I finally broke down and bought a 6 yard piece of fabric and just like I thought, I'd moved on by the time it arrived. Since I'm home there hasn't been a lot of fabric purchasing going on BUT a lot of digging in the fabric collection.
My sewjo is back. I'm sewing so more garments soon!
...as always more later!
...as always more later!
That color combination is beautiful on you! Your maxi dresses are always inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI think your pattern matching looks great.
ReplyDeleteHooray for the return of your sewjo ! i do like the stripe work and i dont think anyone is going to notice the back pieces. The first thing I thought was 'cool the bias is going on on the back as well'. I really like the flat front and gathers from teh side to, it creates a really nice shape. Might have to add this to my to sew list (which is already too long...)
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely maxi, and great to see another post from you. Love those stripes on the bias, beautifully done. It reminds me of when I was about 12 begging my mother to make me a striped top with diagonal stripes (because I had seen one somewhere) - she sat up late at night trying to figure it out for me. Loved that top! PS No wonder she made me start sewing for myself :)
ReplyDeleteWho said that side seam pockets have to be made in the same fabric as the rest of the dress?
ReplyDeleteM-C - my challenge is that I don't really need side seam pockets. So while you're right that they don't need to be made from the same fabric, I just didn't need them.
DeleteI love the happy coincidence of how the stripes line up at the center front seam. I also really like how the dress makes it's own lapels by folding back at the V. Such a beautiful dress - enjoy wearing it. g
ReplyDeleteI love the way you used the stripes! The dress looks perfect for summer!
ReplyDeleteUntil you pointed it out, I didn't see any mismatching of stripes. It's barely noticeable, Carolyn. Another great piece of work! Question: have you worked with washer linen, the blend that allows the fabric to be machine washed?
ReplyDeleteCurious Daylily - yes I've worked with washer linen but I put ALL linens in the washer and dryer...some I wash as much as 3x! Linen garments always need to be machine washable for me.
DeleteI love what you did with the stripes! You look gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThis color combo is so good! I love the front slit and the easy gathered skirt.
ReplyDeleteI love it!! You've inspired me to get the pattern and make one . . . or more?
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful dress! Love it! I love all your dresses and wish I was as talented as you are!
ReplyDeleteYour dress is beautiful and you wear it with great fashion sense. I am so glad your sewing Mo Jo is back. I can't wait to see your next creation.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress and it looks great on you.
ReplyDeletewhat would happen if the next time you made this pattern you dropped the waist? you look pretty in this striped version: hmm...just thinking...--anne
ReplyDeleteColor, style, stripe, ..... color; this dress is YOU!
ReplyDeleteLovely dress - the diagonal stripes add so much interest. And the "truth in sewing" comment made me laugh aloud. Did you let the bias bodice hang overnight before you attached the skirt? I'm attempting my first bias-cut dress hack this week and have been scouring the web for tricks to hopefully keep things from getting too out of hand!
ReplyDelete