Saturday, March 1, 2014

Pia in Linen

It will be no surprise to you that I've sewn up Tessuti's latest pattern, the Pia Dress. I have well-documented my love for their designs, in particular the dresses. I'm planning a Tokyo jacket soon, and a Zoe top. When I saw the Pia Dress released, I knew I'd sew it quickly. And I did!


I sewed it in a lovely medium weight enzyme washed black linen from Tessuti. The weight of this linen is amazing, and it is soft and drapes beautifully. I had an issue washing it though - weird slightly raised lines have appeared on the fabric - has anyone had this issue? I pre washed without detergent and the lines appeared then washed with detergent and they remain. Weird.


This is the size small, sewn with larger seam allowances than the pattern provides. I sewed a size small in some linen Anna gifted me, and it was huge and quite unflattering. So I made this black one with approximately 1.7cm seam allowances instead of the 1.25cm the pattern directs you to use. I now have a much more flattering fit.


When they released the pattern, Tessuti showed Lisa wearing hers belted. I decided to give that look a go last night to go out for dinner with my mothers' group. I can't decide which look I prefer. What do you think?



I don't have much to say, review wise. Apart from using larger seam allowances, I shortened the dress by 3cm. Yes, I shortened it!! Amazing.

It was a comfy dress to wear to dinner. We went to Pizza Farro and I had an extremely delicious Margherita with buffalo mozzarella. Yum. I ate the whole pizza - that is pretty unusual for me! Then I had a scoop of homemade chocolate gelato for dessert. It was intensely rich but so good.

I'll leave you with this last picture. I was so tired when I went out. I can't remember if I've told you but my sister Ruth is getting married! Woohoo! We have been wedding dress shopping, and yesterday was an all-day affair. I'm finding my energy levels after working 4 days are fairly abysmal, so after a full day of wedding dress shopping I was bordering on too tired to go out for dinner. I had a small cat nap while posing for pictures….


I'm hoping I get used to this 4th day soon - I need some energy to sew!!

47 comments:

  1. I love it belted! I've got this pattern too and was thinking of making it up in some silk that I got from the Fabric Store but not sure how it will work out. I'm struggling with silk at the moment. Good luck with the 4 days.. I've got no advice as I'm always tired. I'm glad the disco nap allowed you to go out and enjoy your night.

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  2. This is a great version. You've nailed the look in my books. Belted works well.
    I hope you find time to cat nap where ever you can. Sleep/standing is a cool skill.

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  3. Thanks Kirsty. I think every parent is perpetually exhausted and there are always new things to get used to. A silk Pia would be amazing - but then everything you make is amazing!

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  4. Haha! Thanks - if only I could master the skill of sleeping with my eyes open.

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  5. Thanks Amanda, I do feel pretty swish in it!

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  6. You really are the queen of linen.

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  7. This looks great, I really like it belted. I find 4 days a week pretty exhausting, having just transitioned up from 3 days. It's too many days for me, even with my oldest now at school so I'm hoping to go back down to 3 soon.

    I donwloaded the tokyo jacket last week and can't wait to make it up!

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  8. iLife it both ways! I think the floaty silhouette is good for those hot days you just want to feel airy, but the belted look is a bit "dressier" perhaps. You do linen so well :)

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  9. This is fabulous! I saw the version in the melbourne store & it looked lovely, but it looks even better on you - possibly my favourite of them so far. Am loving all your creations and understand the spontaneous cat naps - steal them when you can ;)

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  10. This is a great pattern on you. I love it both with ad without the belt.

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  11. Great dress - I really like it with the belt as it accentuates your waist and shoulders

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  12. Thanks Suzy! Yep, the cooling weather definitely gave me a good shove to get it done.

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  13. I really like this pattern and love it in black. I honestly can't decide whether I like better belted or not. They both look great!

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  14. Thanks Jane - I'm glad I'm not the only one! I had a vision of going full-time once she went to prep, but now I'm reconsidering! Good luck on your Tokyo - I am very keen to make mine!

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  15. I'm with you Jillian - it will work both ways!

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  16. Thank you! That is a great compliment. I had a nap today when Little M slept, it was so nice :-)

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  17. Thanks! I think it will work well both ways.

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  18. Thanks Kristy! It is a great pattern. I can see myself making it again.

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  19. Thanks Elizabeth! Will you be making it? It is a great pattern! :-)

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  20. This looks so chic! I love the deep pockets & shape of the dress & it looks really good with the belt. I am trying not to buy any new patterns till I sew some I have but the Tokyo jacket

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  21. You will adjust. I worked 5 days last week and I still feel tired! Love the dress.

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  22. Yes, I think I might. Need to have a think about fabric choices. I've never sewn a tesutti patterns but I'm keen to gets started on them.

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  23. The dress is darling! Both belted and non-belted versions are good but both of them create different effects: more casual for the former and dressed up for the latter!

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  24. Great both ways, looks fantastic on you - love the black linen too.

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  25. Thanks Neeno! I definitely like the simplicity of this outfit.

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  26. Thanks Emma. I am trying to sew more solid colour things. Have soooo much patterned stuff.

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  27. Thanks FF! I do feel very stylish in this one.

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  28. Exactly what I was thinking :-)

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  29. Thanks Christy. I'll get there. If I could do less social stuff on the weekend I suspect that would help.

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  30. Thanks Kathryn. The pockets are great. I have yet to buy the Tokyo pattern, but it is pretty high on my list!

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  31. They are beautifully drafted patterns - I rarely have to alter them which is lovely!!

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  32. it looks so good in black, very chic. I looooove the shoulders and pockets on this pattern, i wasn't sure it was for me because of the shift shape but seeing yours belted makes me think. It's so beautiful!

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  33. Thanks Amy! I think I prefer it belted... but I also do like it worn without. I think it would look great on you - especially belted!

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  34. I absolutely love the pockets on this dress - it's inspired me to create a dress with big patch pockets.

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  35. I love it. so perfect on you. i can never have too many black dresses.

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  36. Thanks Kelli. I agree - I'm trying to sew less prints & more solids. We'll see how that goes!

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  37. Hi Rachel, love this dress - looks amazing. I do have a question - how does the width of the seam allowance make such a difference, as the size was the same. Didn't quite understand. Am ready to make mine so not sure if I should change the seam allowance too. Thanks.

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  38. Hi Evelyne, by increasing the seam allowances I made the dress smaller. I essentially took an extra 1-1.5cm out of each seam. I could have graded the pieces between the small and extra small but I was feeling lazy and knew that increasing the seam allowances would take out the extra width that made the size small too big.

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  39. Sorry - Disqus cut me off.

    So... I would only increase the seam allowances if your dress is too big. Does that make sense? Thanks for your comment!

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  40. Hi Rachel, yes that makes perfect sense. Thanks!!

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  41. This just looks so classy - and great with or without the belt. This patterns on my wishlist for next summer sewing

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  42. How did I miss commenting on this! It's so lovely Rachel, and I think that you really rock the belted look. Even when napping.

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