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!!
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.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great version. You've nailed the look in my books. Belted works well.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find time to cat nap where ever you can. Sleep/standing is a cool skill.
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!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Thanks - if only I could master the skill of sleeping with my eyes open.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amanda, I do feel pretty swish in it!
ReplyDeleteYou really are the queen of linen.
ReplyDeleteThis 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.
ReplyDeleteI donwloaded the tokyo jacket last week and can't wait to make it up!
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 :)
ReplyDeleteThis 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 ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great pattern on you. I love it both with ad without the belt.
ReplyDeleteGreat dress - I really like it with the belt as it accentuates your waist and shoulders
ReplyDeleteThanks Suzy! Yep, the cooling weather definitely gave me a good shove to get it done.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteThanks 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!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Jillian - it will work both ways!
ReplyDeleteThank you! That is a great compliment. I had a nap today when Little M slept, it was so nice :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think it will work well both ways.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristy! It is a great pattern. I can see myself making it again.
ReplyDeleteThanks Elizabeth! Will you be making it? It is a great pattern! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis 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
ReplyDeleteYou will adjust. I worked 5 days last week and I still feel tired! Love the dress.
ReplyDeleteYes, 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.
ReplyDeleteThe 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!
ReplyDeletestunning!
ReplyDeleteGreat both ways, looks fantastic on you - love the black linen too.
ReplyDeleteGreat styling!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Neeno! I definitely like the simplicity of this outfit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Emma. I am trying to sew more solid colour things. Have soooo much patterned stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks FF! I do feel very stylish in this one.
ReplyDeleteExactly what I was thinking :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Christy. I'll get there. If I could do less social stuff on the weekend I suspect that would help.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathryn. The pockets are great. I have yet to buy the Tokyo pattern, but it is pretty high on my list!
ReplyDeleteThey are beautifully drafted patterns - I rarely have to alter them which is lovely!!
ReplyDeleteit 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!
ReplyDeleteThanks 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!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the pockets on this dress - it's inspired me to create a dress with big patch pockets.
ReplyDeleteI love it. so perfect on you. i can never have too many black dresses.
ReplyDeleteThe pockets are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelli. I agree - I'm trying to sew less prints & more solids. We'll see how that goes!
ReplyDeleteHi 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.
ReplyDeleteHi 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.
ReplyDeleteSorry - Disqus cut me off.
ReplyDeleteSo... I would only increase the seam allowances if your dress is too big. Does that make sense? Thanks for your comment!
Hi Rachel, yes that makes perfect sense. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteThis just looks so classy - and great with or without the belt. This patterns on my wishlist for next summer sewing
ReplyDeleteI am loving this dress.
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss commenting on this! It's so lovely Rachel, and I think that you really rock the belted look. Even when napping.
ReplyDelete