I really liked the look of Sewaholic’s new Saltspring dress after seeing Lauren’s take on it. The idea of making a bloused effect bodice by cutting a shorter lining seemed smart, and I thought I’d better get on and make it before the British summer goes for good.
I used a £3 remnant that I got from Chapel Market at the same time as my pussybow dress fabric. Luckily this one is slightly nicer quality, but it was only just big enough and I had to omit the pockets due to running out of yardage. Its gauzy lawn-type weight was a good match for the pattern and it was pretty easy to work with. The ditsy floral isn’t really my usual taste but the muted colours make it less girly-girly.
I was impressed by the Sewaholic pattern, the first I’ve made from Tasia’s line: the instructions were very clear and the pieces all slotted together effortlessly. I love the neat self-lined bodice with the strap ends enclosed. Like some other testers I can slip the dress on and off quite easily without using the zip so could have omitted it.
The only amend I made was to change the tie-top straps because I didn’t want the overall look to be too fussy given the busy print. Instead I made four spaghetti straps for a double-strap effect at each shoulder. Unfortunately I didn’t eyeball the length very well and when I tried on the dress I realised they needed to be shortened considerably to avoid the bodice drooping unflatteringly.
Since the ends were already neatly enclosed I popped a couple of bra-strap rings into the back instead. It almost looks purposeful?! Also thanks to the snug lining I can go braless, avoiding another strap on show.
I’m not sure how flattering this dress is on me, though. It looks ok from the front, especially belted, but I really don’t like the view from the back – my slightly curved spine does weird things to the blousing with the split and it looks pretty unfortunate. I might tack down the edges over the zip since I don’t need it anyway. Or cut the whole zip out and seam the back? Next time I’d make a non-bloused no-zip version, which would make for a very quick little sundress sew.
Edit to add: I took out the zip and stitched up the back this evening, and it looks a lot neater from the rear now. I really like the split detail in the pattern, but it’s just not for my weird old back.
Oh and look, I bought a little me-shaped mannequin :D
7 Comments