This, as the title says, is the sheath dress by The Avid Seamstress. It looks similar in style to Tilly and the Buttons's Bettine dress. At first I wasn't desperately drawn to it, until I saw it on Josie aka The Fabric Godmother, and then I thought... I NEED that dress!
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| Bettine |
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| The sheath dress |
The pattern envelope says it needs 2.5 metres of fabric; this was a stumbling block, as I didn't have anything appropriate in that length. Luckily, wise counsel from sewists advised: "trace it out, and I bet it doesn't need that much". And indeed they were right! I got this out of 1.5 metres, though I did shorten the pattern piece, as I am tiny (5ft, FYI) in height. The sleeves are one piece with the bodice, kimono style; it creates a bat-wing effect and drape under the arm.
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| Excuse odd facial expressions, but this pic shows the almost bat-wing sleeve shape. |
I wanted to make a toile to check out the fit/shape/feel of this dress. Clearly I have chosen not to include the waist elastic, but I may do in the future: I love the silhouette anyway. The toile feels comfy and looks stylish. I feel this dress is crying out for a big broach or colourful necklace to make it sing (so I am hoping for the perfect big necklace for Christmas!).
The pattern includes in-seam pockets, but I chose to remove them from this version as they were distorting the side seams. Perhaps I did them wrong? I will try again on my next version as they would be good to have. I also ballsed up the hem. I always stabilise the hem before sewing with knit tape and always have great results. With this make, I couldn't find the tape, but carried on regardless. Wavy hems ahoy - lesson learnt.
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| Think I need a sway back adjustment here to get rid of pooling fabric. |
This looks really fab! I love the whole look you have achieved!
ReplyDeleteMe too, it feels grown up. if you know what I mean?
DeleteI hope you get a big, jazzy necklace from Santa as I agree it will compliment your dress perfectly. Your dress looks like a great comfortable basic for styling up or down.
ReplyDeletefingers crossed. I dropped hints!
DeleteSuch a pretty colour on you Louise, a great make!
ReplyDeleteThe colour is perfect. I love it, just wish i had used this fabric sooner rather than letting it rest in my stash for two years!
DeleteOooh yes, a fleece dress would be wonderful! And this looks fantastic too - nothing quite like a successful wearable muslin. As you say, comfy but still classic. Can't beat that. I didn't realise you were 5' - I'm 5'3".
ReplyDeleteOh yes I am tiny!
DeleteI love the colour! And I agree, a big necklace or fun brooch would be just the right finishing touch. As for the hem, you've probably tried this already, but I always find a good steam goes a long way to sorting out a wavy hem.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great on you Louise, I love the colour too! It's so satisfying when your first try of a pattern works out!
ReplyDeleteYou can sew a non wavy hem by cutting strips of tissue paper or baking paper and putting them between the hem foldover and the foot giving the feed dog time to work the fabric through carefully - then you rip off the paper at the end. Looking forward to the next version, I think you should go for the elastic on the next one. Jo x
ReplyDeleteI love the color on you. Looks like chic comfort!
ReplyDeleteOOOH...a winner! Both the colour and the silhouette are fantastic for you! I've been drawn to this easy dress shape as well. I find a small scarf at the neckline gives the look more impact, but hopefully you did get a stunner brooch! :)
ReplyDeletePS...I think the back view is totally fine!