I got so much wear out of my hacked Marigold/Alder Dress this summer that I decided it was worth it to have another one in my closet. I wanted this one to have an ultra-lightweight relaxed look and so I picked lawn fabric.
I was having the hardest time deciding what fabric to use. It’s so hard to decide on fabric when it comes to garments! Especially now that I’m trying to be super conscientious about sewing things I will really wear, it’s even harder. (In fact, I’m not sure if being so hyper-aware of this is actually paralyzing me but that’s a psychoanalysis for another day.).
In the end, I wandered around my favorite fabric shop Rock Paper Scissors long enough that everyone started to chime in and I was convinced to use this lovely Cotton + Steel print from Sarah Watts with an additional bit of Melody Miller as an accent on the placket. It’s incredibly soft and so lovely to work with. Now that the dress is finished, however, I’m slightly self-conscious that it looks a bit like a bespoke hospital gown. Know what I mean? If I came at you dragging a medical drip would you think “Yep. That makes sense?” Or not?
I am convinced of the great fit, however. I added french seams on the side seams because of the delicate nature of voile fabric and the top portion is fully lined so that I’m not (ahem) over-exposed. It fits like a cute, little glove. I wanted a little contrast so I lined the placket with Melody’s floral print and I do like how that looks.
See that cute kitty up there? When we moved, this cat started basically living outside our house and appears anytime we come outside. (He joined our Re-usuem you might remember.) He’s the sweetest thing ever but he’s a seriously fighter and often shows up with bloody ears! Hence, the look on my face up there as he rubbed his scratched-up ears on my leg! Oh Simon, that is seriously gross.
On another random note related to making clothes I will wear regularly, I’ve noticed that lots of patterns are for very cutesy-retro designs and fewer are modern basics especially when it comes to sewing books. It’s either really drape-y Japanese outfits or tight-bodice dresses. Both of which are just more elaborate and impractical. Maybe it is because most people are sewing specialty items instead of everyday clothing? I’m keeping my eye out for streamlined, classic but classy, elegant patterns for women. Think I may make that my goal for the upcoming Selfish Sewing Week.
By the way, thanks so much to EVERYONE for all of the amazing encouragement about my last post. I love this community of makers and creatives so much! You will all be happy to know that the lovely and generous Erin of House on Hill Road has offered to mail me the insert so I can have a copy! Thanks so much Erin, you are a true gem.
Stephanie says
Dress is lovely on you!!
Melissa Q. says
Thank you S!
erin says
I love the dress – not hospital gown at all. (The last issue of Mollie Makes appeared in my mail yesterday so it’ll be about a month, but when it’s here, it’s yours!)
Melissa Q. says
Thank you! I’m gaining confidence in it. Isn’t it funny how slow the UK subscriptions are? One more month isn’t anything to me, I’m so happy to be in there that I don’t care a whit!