My sewing machine has been working overtime during the last week and a bit, quickly trying to make the last few things for Daughter No 1. The departure for her planned travel to Asia, Australia & America has finally come. Amongst the things I made for her (which I will cover in another post) was this dress. She wanted something that would just hang, not cling, and be cool to wear in the tropical humidity of Thailand, something suitable for cocktails on the beach in Fiji & totally wearable when exploring Rodeo Drive. It needed to have fullness, but not be a tent. She didn’t want extra fullness in the front, hanging from the bust. She drew me a sketch of what she had in mind, then left me to it.
I started with her close fitting bodice block, drawing a one piece dress block and then converting it to the lingerie block. This involves reducing ease and doubling the size of the bust dart. For the dress pattern the bust dart was moved to the underarm position. I added a section to the side, from the waist to make the fullness. The double darts in front and back were eliminated, but the back dart was effectively transferred into the centre back, making the back shaped and fitted. I also needed a swayback adjustment of about 2cm. I intended to use an invisible zip in the centre back, French seams throughout and self bias for the top edges and straps.
The toile revealed that I needed a swayback adjustment, and that I needed to alter the fit of the top. Daughter No1 wanted it a little looser. I was concerned about the hang of the handkerchief section, but hoped that in the silk that we’d chosen that it would look a lot better.
The silk was given to me by a friend, it’s got the most beautiful sheen and drape, but for me, it was just a little too bold. However, Daughter No1 loved it! The bands are a red and white hatched pattern, while the blue is actually purple and black. I only had two metres and it was pretty narrow but we had just enough to squeeze the dress out. I was worried that there wouldn’t be enough for the bias strips. Thankfully that wasn’t the case in the end, I didn’t really need that much bias. But please remind me that working with narrow bias in silk really isn’t easy, and tries the patience of anyone, especially when you’re up against the clock.
I made the pattern on Saturday night, toiled it midday Sunday, made the adjustments and got cracking immediately. It had to be finished by 11am on Monday morning!! Needless to say I was still handstitching bias at 11am so we left a little late for the airport, but all was good, she loved the dress and stuffed it into the rucksack straight away! I am hoping to see photos of it in far of exotic places on Instagram soon! Here it is on Betty, my vintage mannequin.
I love the drape at the sides, and the slight drop of the handkerchief hem. I really do hope it sees lots of wear in the next 6 months!
THE COMPULSIVE SEAMSTRESS 
Beautiful dress! I’m in love with the fabric! And I have no doubt it will get lots of wear:)
Thanks Abigail! If she really likes it, I have some viscose that would make another one. Just need to get it to her….
Gorgeous! What a perfect travel dress.
Absolutely G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S, Anne! Your skills are phenomenal! Hope daughter #1 has a lovely trip. Where will she go in the US, besides LA?
(PS/That knit arrived last week and is perfect, just what I was thinking of. Thank you again for looking it up!)
Thanks Del!! 🙂 They fly into LA from Australia & have 7-10 days there, so I’m guessing they’ll explore a bit. All depends on how much money they have left as it’s at the end of the trip! I have sent her with extra funds, fabric buying money, of course! 🙂 Glad the knit is right for you, looking forward to what you make now! The Longley cardi is available as a pdf now, so there is that option too..
Was thinking to do SBCC’s Limoncello, which is similar to the Longley, but it depends on how the trial version goes. Thank you for the suggestion!
Did you send a list of fabric shops for your daughter to see in LA? There’s Mood, and The Fabric Store, and several more. See Jet Set Sewing – Julie’s been there and written about more locations… 😉. If I can offer further assistance, just let me know!
(Will keep you posted on that Limoncello!)
The things you can do – you are just a marvel! I can picture your daughter in it, sipping cocktails while gazing into the sunset!
I want loads of photos of sunsets over tropical beaches! As I won’t be able to go, I will be living through their photos!
I love that fabric and I really think (and hope) she’s going to wear it a lot! It seems so comfortable, too!! :*
Fingers crossed Valentina! 🙂 Imust thank my friend again for sending the fabric, it really has been a hit!
It’s stunning! She’s going to looking amazing sipping cocktails in the beach! I bet there’ll be orders for more and you’ll be shipping them off for her! 😃
Haha, I bet! Only tricky thing will be finding somewhere to post to! Australian blogger friends, look out! 😉
You can use me if she comes to Perth 🙂
I am looking forward to your final post on this dress. Very nice 🙂
Beautiful and chic! That fabric looks super lovely!
What a beautiful design!
Wow! Your daughter gave you a lovely sketch to work from, didn’t she. The dress looks great on Betty (so nice with her coloring) and I can just see it swishing along the sunny beaches. Beautiful fabric and beautiful dress!
Stunning dress.
Lucky Daughter! Does this mean you have a bit more sewing time for you in the next few months or will her sister just up her orders? 😉
haha, nope, definitely sewing for me!! Daughter No2 is safely ensconsed at uni so I will be making limited amounts of stuff for her! 🙂