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Saturday 10 July 2010

Burda 06/2010 - 123 Dress


This is yet another very easy dress to make. As you can see from the line drawing it's pretty shapeless - to make it work it's all about the belt and the fabric.


I used a silk that has been in my stash for a while. I really loved the colours - chocolate brown and blue - but didn't quite know how to use it as it had horizontal stripes arranged in vertical blocks. In the end I cut it on the cross grain, it looked OK but needed something else so I decided to experiment with the fabric a bit. I cut some additional strips of fabric, on grain this time and added two bands at the hem so it looks like a border print fabric now.


I didn't add the side slits as I found there was plenty of walking ease in the dress and leaving out the slits made life easier when it came to attaching the bands. Otherwise there is really nothing to say about the construction, it's two pattern pieces, plus two strips for the neck facing and the belt and a bit of elastic in the back yoke seam. Easy!

Back detail

I wore this out last night and for hot humid climates this is ideal, I'm really happy with it.


Gorgeous summer evening in Stanley, on the south side of HK island


38 comments:

  1. Nice dress, Allison. I like what you did at the hem. It makes the fabric look like a border print. Very creative!!

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  2. I love what you did with the fabric to create that border design. The dress looks fabulous on. Sometimes it's hard to visual a real simple design until you see it on the person. Great Job!!!

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  3. Very nice Allison I love what you have done with the fabric it really does add a special touch to the dress.

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  4. I love how you arranged the stripes - very striking!

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  5. Very pretty dress, I like how you used the border.

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  6. i love the print, it works will with this design

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  7. With an easy design it is always the fabric you choose which either makes the dress a stand-out or ho-hum. Your dress is an extraordinary stand-out because of how you worked your amazing fabric! Stunning...simply stunning!

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  8. You are amazing. Every piece that you turn out is a simple work of art. I love how you use the fabric like an artist's canvus. You cut it up into different pieces and manipulate it. You take your pattern choices to the next level.

    Beautiful Job!!

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  9. Very pretty! Love the fabric and hem treatment.

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  10. You have a great eye for fantastic fabrics and classic styles. Lovely job.

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  11. I love what you did with it.

    Trudy
    www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com

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  12. This looks great!! I had not given that dress a second look in the magazine. Your version is much more appealing!

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  13. I like the way you arranged the stripes. The fabric really makes a difference with this dress --- I saw it in the magazine and wasn't really attracted to it, but seeing your version has changed my mind. It is a simple style that shows off a cool print.

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  14. Very nice! Your fabric choice is perfect for this dress.

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  15. Wonderful dress on so many levels. Comfortable for the weather, striking fabric, clever border, interesting design and very pretty on you!

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  16. This is really lovely! Much better than the line drawing led me to believe.

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  17. What a great dress! Your fabric and border strips really make the dress. I wouldn't have looked twice at that line drawing, but your version is fantastic and very breezy and cool looking.

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  18. Very elegant for an "easy-going" shape. The hem band is a great idea.

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  19. Very nice and the fabric is beautiful!

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  20. What a fabulous dress! Great use of the fabric.

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  21. It looks very flattering on you. I love the fabric and the various directions of the lines!

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  22. Very Cute! Nice use of the fabric pattern.

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  23. That, was a fantastic idea! I love it. I'm thrilled they are putting in a lot of simple dresses these days.

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  24. That, was a fantastic idea! I love it. I'm thrilled they are putting in a lot of simple dresses these days.

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  25. Terrific dress! A fabric such as that needs a simple pattern to show itself off. Sometimes, beauty is simplicity and definitely so in this case!

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  26. Great dress very flattering on you! Wonderful use of your fabric.

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  27. Wow!!! How creative!!! I like the way you took a simple pattern and made something really fab with it!!

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  28. Wow! I love that print. And I love how you handled it too. Beautiful dress on you!

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  29. Another stunning dress! I love the border print that you created - just perfect.

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  30. I cant believe I missed this dress. It is just stunning. I particularly love the border treatment at the hem.

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  31. Allison - You look outstanding. The dress is beautiful.

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  32. That bottom band made all the difference! Great dress!

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  33. Fabulous dress - such a creative way to really take a dress that could have been quite blah to wonderful.

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  34. What a knock-out. You and the dress. The way you handled the print of the fabric makes the dress unique.

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  35. Awesome dress! The fabric really makes the dress and you're totally rocking it!

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  36. You look great! I miss Stanley Beach, thx for the photos.
    This dress caught my eye too but it's not suitable for breastfeeding!

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  37. STUNNING! That fabric is FABULOUS!

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  38. Love how chic this is! You look fab!

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