24.3.11

a wrap dress



This particular project took a little longer than the norm because, you see, it all began with a toile. Urgh, I loathe doing them, it always seems a waste of time but obviously it isn't in the long run if there's a chance of ruining a perfectly good piece of cloth. And this is good cloth; denim-like linen from Fabrics Galore - yay, Mecca!

Up till now the Japanese dress patterns I've sewn for myself have been of the pull-over-the-head variety but this one has a defined waist, which is why I decided to err on the side of caution. I wasn't convinced the waistband would fall in the right place for me plus, given the absence of hubby at the crucial moment, measuring from nape to waist was proving a little tricky on my own and I didn't think it fair to rely on the children to help out! There are also darts on both the front and back of the bodice and I needed to make sure they would all pass the test too.

I used an old ripped sheet for my toile, one that I'd saved up for just such a purpose. The one that Carrot boy had been sleeping on once upon a time, clearly having great fun in the night, making what would have started off as a tiny hole into a massive tear stretching most of the length. As you do! And latterly the one that was taken apart and used to line the 'joyful dress'.

The pattern is from Sewing Talk (Machiko Kayaki), one of my favourites and already used for this and this and, my goodness, this one too. Haven't I just got my money's worth?! I've been eyeing up the wrap ever since I bought the book so it was only a matter of time.


Despite having bought four metres of the fabric, I was still miserly with the placing and cutting out because I know this linen will come in useful for a million and one projects yet to come. I had it all cut out before Half Term so what a treat is was to get back and have it waiting, in complete readiness, for me to get out the pins, plug in the sewing machine and draw up the swivel chair.

After all that, the waist fell in just the right place so no alterations were needed, but I'm still glad I did the toile. In any case, having made it up once already it was a much quicker job with the real thing.

As for the doilies, I wanted to take the dress up a level and took inspiration from Stylish Dress 1. There is a picture inside were the model sits crocheting doilies only it looks like they are actually a part of her dress. I love that image. I bet I get some comments though, for having a couple of 'coasters' attached to me. It will be interesting to see how many will understand the lure of the doily - not like you all do!


So although this has been made for quite some time, it's been too cold to even think about putting it on for the camera. But the weather is fantastic at the moment, isn't it and yes, I can see I'm going to enjoy this dress. Of course it's still a little cool to be thinking about wearing it now but that's ok. I'll just have to make something else instead!


Happy Thursday x

18 comments:

  1. Its gorgeous - what lovely fabric. I get the doillies! xxxx

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  2. OMG you are getting soooo good at this! Perfect fit, lovely material and a fantastic touch to add the doilies. You look terrific and I'm sure you will get heaps of wear out of it.
    cheers
    Helen

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  3. Lovely, Kate. Fits perfectly. The fabric is gorgeous, and the garment is so wearable.

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  4. The dress is beautiful! It was worth making a practice one to have the finished piece come out so nicely!

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  5. I popped over here from Naturally Carol's when I saw 'wrap dress' and I'm so glad I did. I love your work!! x

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  6. You should be so proud of yourself making this dress..it fits perfectly and looks so understatedly elegant..coasters (just joking) and all. I think the doilies make it interesting and fun!

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  7. So lovely - and very cleverly made to fit so well! I get the doilies too - very pretty idea!
    Helen x

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  8. I so admire your dressmaking skills Kate! The dress is beautiful and I so get the doilys.
    We have a wardrobe full of toiles from my daughter's fashion degree and I agree it does seem a waste of time but really worth it in the end. It's a bit like knitting tension squares, which I am so bad at doing but they are really important for sizing.
    Vivienne x

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  9. Beautiful! Love the swirling skirt shot. You are a clever lady. Laura x

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  10. How about wearing a smaller doily in the brooch area, or a white/cream belt as an option. Kate, I wish I could sew like you, even sew at all! x

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  11. Thank you for your always sweet comment om my blog.
    I love this dress. It really look nice on you. I hope I cab see a real picture of you some day (o:

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  12. Your dress looks very flattering and the doilies make perfect sense. I thought I recognised the pattern as soon as I saw it and I am so pleased that you have given it an outing as it has now moved much higher on my list of things to sew. I have a shop bought dress in the same style but very floral and I have been wondering about the benefits of a more subdued number for days where I feel less brash. At the same time, I can confirm that a bright floral with a white base works perfectly in that style and is just the thing for a super hot summer's day. T x

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  13. Great choice of fabric and the fit is perfect. It looks fab on you. Well done. x

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  14. Another great dress Kate and the addition of the doilies is inspired!

    The fit looks perfect too. Do you know, I think you could easily have worn this today and been quite happy. Hasn't it been a glorious day!!

    Jeanne
    x

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  15. I really like your dress- so well made. I'm going on my first course to learn to make a skirt tomorrow and am very excited to think I might be able to make dresses one day too!xx

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  16. I am envoius of your amazing dressmaking skills and your tiny waist!x

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  17. I do like that fabric and the doilies! I would be tempted to layer up with a t-shirt and cardi, just so I could wear it now.

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  18. Oh my .. this is fabulous!!! Love the wrap and the doilies make such a gorgeous detail!

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