Zzzz, it’s another elastic-waist knit dress. This is what happens when I resolve to sew things that I’ll wear a lot, ha ha. I stitched this pretty thing up last week and wore it on Saturday for a cultural day of museum visits: first to see the Cheapside Hoard at the Museum of London with Kathryn and Julia, then to the TFL Museum Depot in Acton, where these pics are from. Antique bling and transit nerdery in a new dress = a big Saturday win in my book (Scuse the asymmetrical sleeves here, not part of the look.)
The fabric is part of my haul from Mood in New York. It’s the most beautiful knit: I think it’s rayon jersey because it’s super slinky: thin yet heavy and extremely drapey. There are so many patterns it’d be beautiful for – wish I’d bought more yardage – but I went for quite a casual tunic dress so I could get more day to day wear out of it. It was a bit tricky to cut and sew, but worth it as it feels sooo good to wear. Like I’m wearing nothin’ at all!
It’s a bit of a Frankenpattern. The bodice is Dixie’s Ballet Dress, shortened to empire line. This is basically my knit bodice sloper now because it fits really well and is so adaptable. The skirt is based on Simplicity 1800 with its cool yoke pockets, but I gathered the waist with elastic all around rather than do darts and pleats.
I was nervous to finish and hem this super-stretchy fabric, but a few ninja techniques made pretty light work of it. The hem is a machine blind using a walking foot which turned out satisfyingly invisible, although the dress wound up a little shorter than I was planning. It’s fine with leggings as a tunic type thing, though. The sleeve cuffs are pressed back twice and twin-needled – I can also wear them rolled up since the wrong side of the fabric is a lovely mottled grey colour. The neckline is Megan Nielsen’s technique again.
I love this dress, so I’m sure it will see many more London adventures. And I’m off to google for more rayon jersey to buy now as I want many more copycats.
This looks absolutely gorgeous on you and the fabric is just beautiful! Even if the shape isn’t groundbreaking, it really showcases the print. Also, the finishings look great!
aw, thanks! It’s just a bit of a shame that the most interesting garments to sew aren’t always the ones that get the most wear.
I love this dress on you. The fabric is gorgeous and the style really suits you. I need more cool day dresses llike this too.
Thanks Clare! I feel really good in it and little frocks are always so easy to wear.
Hi! I love your dress and I’ve been wanting to buy that exact fabric at Mood for awhile! Did you line your dress with something, and if so, what? It looks so great, I want to make one too! My New Year’s resolution is to wear more real clothes and fewer leggings with iffy tops, and a dress like this seems like the perfect bridge between the two. I also loved seeing your Girl Charlee sweatshirt, as I was considering that stripey fabric too! It’s so hard to tell what you’re getting into on that site!
Hey! No, no lining, really not required. I’ve worn this so much the print has faded quite a lot, so maybe wash it more carefully than I do.
The dress is really lovely and it suits you very well. I love the pattern and the fabric.