Saltspring dress

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.

Saltspring dress

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.

Saltspring dress

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.

Saltspring dress

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.

Saltspring dress

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.

Saltspring dress

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 thoughts on “Saltspring dress

  1. Michelle

    The colours in this fabric are so pretty, I never knew you could get fabric from Chapel market (do you mean the one in Islington?)

    PS. I totally agree with you about Rolls and Rems, it’s such a treasure trove although I can never get a good rummage in that bin it’s always too rammed with other hands!

    1. Katie Post author

      Yes Islington, there is a little fabric stall hidden about halfway along. Good range of trims, zips and buttons too!

  2. emily marie

    Ah! So this is the Saltspring you were talking about! I really like what you did with the straps, so I’m glad you were able to salvage the back. I love that this dress is so wearable/layerable.

    1. Katie Post author

      Thanks! It’ a great pattern to sew. I’m just not sure how much wear it’ll get now we’re hurtling towards autumn. Might work with tights and a cardi, though.

  3. patsijean

    Katie, I did some research for you and found several discussions of the high/asymmetrical hip adjustment and this is the best ( http://gosew.wordpress.com/tag/fitting/ ). Some sites note that a little bit width may be necessary for the high hip adjustment as we often carry a bit more weight on that side. Always remember that the hem is parallel to the ground and the grain line is perpendicular to the hem. The waist and hip adjustment will not be noticed. I hope this helps. You may find more information in “Fit for Real People” by Pati Palmer & Marta Alto, and in “Fantastic Fit for Every Body” by Gale Grigg Hazen. I have both books and refer to them often.
    http://gosew.wordpress.com/tag/fitting/

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