This dress was fun but challenging at the same time. First the fun ... I found this fabric by accident while on holiday in Rarotonga earlier this year, and immediately knew it would make a lovely summer dress while still keeping within my wardrobe comfort zone ... because it was black? probably!
The challenge ... to mash together two separate patterns into one dress that looked like it was meant to be. The top is the Sewaholic Cambie pattern and the bottom is the Billy Jean pattern by Bluegingerdoll. Both dresses I've made before quite a while ago, and well, the body has changed a little since then.
Then came the cheating ... in theory, the side seams and dart legs of the top are meant to be in the same vertical line as the skirt, right?! Hmm, did I really need to fluff with getting that right if the skirt and top are separated by a waist band and the floral print would act as a camouflage ... NO! Can you tell? NO! #winning
With this dress I experimented a bit with the underlining. I took my silk organsa and underlined all the front pieces and the top half of all the skirt pieces.
A couple of reasons really. I didn't want the dress to be too heavy but I did want the front to have some structure. The top half of the skirt needed to fall over my hips without showing every curve but the bottom half really didn't need it. Unfortunately I can't find any of my 'work in progress' photos to share with you :(
The dress is also fully lined, but with separate fabrics for the top and bottom. The top half is lined with some silk crepe de chine from The Fabric Store. Something I bought a wee while ago at a good price because of colour inconsistency. No one gets to see the lining, so not a problem. The skirt is lined with some 'new to me' lining from Hawes and Freer Ltd, from their Superwash range. It is heavier than the crepe de chine which helps give another layer of fabric over the hips and butt and helps the skirt fall really nicely. It skims over the body and moves so nicely, but doesn't look bulky, and so far no static! I think I'm sold on this as a lining for skirts!
To finish the look I picked up some baby pink merino from Levana and whiped up this cute little bolero.
More photos in my Flickr album -->
I love the Hawes and Freer linings! I buy all my underlining/interfacing from there too. I've never tried silk organza for underlining, I'll have to keep that in mind for next time. Look fabulous as always xx
ReplyDeleteI love silk organza for an underlining. I've also bought some hair canvas from H&F, but haven't used it yet - that will be my next blazer :-)
DeleteSuch a gorgeous dress, lovely fabric and great idea to use silk organza
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynsey-Jane, I love silk organza as an underlining.
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