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
Nice dress, Allison. I like what you did at the hem. It makes the fabric look like a border print. Very creative!!
ReplyDeleteI 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!!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice Allison I love what you have done with the fabric it really does add a special touch to the dress.
ReplyDeleteI love how you arranged the stripes - very striking!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty dress, I like how you used the border.
ReplyDeletei love the print, it works will with this design
ReplyDeleteWith 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!
ReplyDeleteYou 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.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Job!!
Very pretty! Love the fabric and hem treatment.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great eye for fantastic fabrics and classic styles. Lovely job.
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with it.
ReplyDeleteTrudy
www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com
This looks great!! I had not given that dress a second look in the magazine. Your version is much more appealing!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! Your fabric choice is perfect for this dress.
ReplyDeleteWonderful dress on so many levels. Comfortable for the weather, striking fabric, clever border, interesting design and very pretty on you!
ReplyDeleteThis is really lovely! Much better than the line drawing led me to believe.
ReplyDeleteWhat 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.
ReplyDeleteVery elegant for an "easy-going" shape. The hem band is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteVery nice and the fabric is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous dress! Great use of the fabric.
ReplyDeleteIt looks very flattering on you. I love the fabric and the various directions of the lines!
ReplyDeleteVery Cute! Nice use of the fabric pattern.
ReplyDeleteThat, was a fantastic idea! I love it. I'm thrilled they are putting in a lot of simple dresses these days.
ReplyDeleteThat, was a fantastic idea! I love it. I'm thrilled they are putting in a lot of simple dresses these days.
ReplyDeleteTerrific dress! A fabric such as that needs a simple pattern to show itself off. Sometimes, beauty is simplicity and definitely so in this case!
ReplyDeleteGreat dress very flattering on you! Wonderful use of your fabric.
ReplyDeleteWow!!! How creative!!! I like the way you took a simple pattern and made something really fab with it!!
ReplyDeleteWow! I love that print. And I love how you handled it too. Beautiful dress on you!
ReplyDeleteAnother stunning dress! I love the border print that you created - just perfect.
ReplyDeleteI cant believe I missed this dress. It is just stunning. I particularly love the border treatment at the hem.
ReplyDeleteAllison - You look outstanding. The dress is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThat bottom band made all the difference! Great dress!
ReplyDeleteFabulous dress - such a creative way to really take a dress that could have been quite blah to wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a knock-out. You and the dress. The way you handled the print of the fabric makes the dress unique.
ReplyDeleteAwesome dress! The fabric really makes the dress and you're totally rocking it!
ReplyDeleteYou look great! I miss Stanley Beach, thx for the photos.
ReplyDeleteThis dress caught my eye too but it's not suitable for breastfeeding!
STUNNING! That fabric is FABULOUS!
ReplyDeleteLove how chic this is! You look fab!
ReplyDelete