Thursday 1 November 2012

Breezy Linen Dress with Contrast Sash (M6553)

Close-up of Dinosaur Designs resin fish necklace by Miss Upsewlate

Close up of sash by Miss Upsewlate

Here's a dress I finished not last weekend but the one before - can't believe it's taken me this many days to post it! At this time of year the days just seem to fly past - one minute it's October, the next it's Christmas! Well that's a slight exaggeration, but last weekend was a sewing write-off since we were living it up in the Yarra Valley sans kids, doing degustation meals and wine tastings left, right and centre with 14 other friends. 

Anyway, food and wine are off topic, and I would hate to make anyone really, really jealous.

Big loose pleats in the back

So to the M6553 dress... to which Mr Upsewlate seems rather partial, despite its lack of body-skimming properties... and whose colour and twirling potential Miss Upsewlate covets:

The sash goes through some side seam holes to leave the back billowing


Back view on the dummy. The sash is what's sitting around the neck.

Side view - here you can see in an inseam pocekt and one of the sash openings.

Apparently this is what I look like mid-conversation! Note the pocket :-) 
Too big. Maybe even 2 sizes too big (I made a 14, thinking of Vogue sizing) - it's extremely loose on the upper bodice and bust. I did eyeball the pattern pieces before cutting out and I probably didn't realise where the various pieces started and ended, because once sewn up it looked much bigger than my normal size. Luckily the sizing is quite forgiving :-). Interestingly I would say that the dress on the pattern cover is also too big for the model!


Too short too. Oops. I know the up-down hemline is fashionable but I didn't really mean to show this much above-knee - I do not love that above-knee section. Please avert your eyes from that area so I don't get embarrassed. Not so bad though when I wear it without the belt (like today - incidentally a real scorcher of a spring day, expected to get to 35C). If you're wondering how long it would be on you, I'm just under 5'9".

Photo by Miss Upsewlate, who made me change shoes
If you're thinking of making this pattern, I'd suggest you measure the widths carefully - what with the wide neckline, separate facings, top stitching (ahh - I decided not to do that) and varying hem lengths it'd be a pain to size down later on. The pattern uses a lot of fabric, far more than your average knee-length no-sleeve dress, so check the fabric requirements rather than just guessing (like I did - hence the contrast sash).  Although it's recommended for double knits, cotton knits, gabardines and suiting, mine's made from a heavy linen which I think will be perfect on sticky summer days. Fingers crossed the linen will shrink some more, though only in the width (please washing gods).

Next up I am going to try to force myself to make an adult swimsuit. Scary! I know another dress would be more fun but I've only got one (old) pair of swimmers at the moment and the weather is heating up! Wish me luck...

see you
G x

25 comments:

  1. Fingers crossed to the fabric shrinking gods that reside inside of our washing machines ;) I didn't look twice at this pattern but I think it isn't bad now...love the colours you chose. I made an adult swimsuit, I should really post that sometime ;)

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    1. Thanks, I hope you have some influence with them!

      I wouldn't have looked twice at this pattern if I hadn't seen Sallieoh's version a while back... the pattern envelope does absolutely nothing for me! Anyway, it'll be good for humid days.

      Oh cool - I'd love to hear about it, do post! I just have to get cracking with mine.

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  2. Its a lovely dress, one of the best I've seen so far for that pattern. I have to say its a good combination, colours and shoes work really well. I too hate anything above the knees, because I think mine are ulgy, but I'm grateful my legs work. lovely blog.

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    1. Thanks so much Kat!

      Unfortunately knees are one of those things that don't seem to get better with age! Wouldn't it be good if knees were like wine, and you could cellar them for the winter and then get them out for sampling in spring time! Yes, you are quite right - while they work we should definitely be grateful~

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    2. I'm sure there is not much worse leg wise than a knee reco. I love thoses shoes! Thank you for the blog award. :)

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  3. What a lovely dress! Love the shape and the breezy style. The colour is gorgeous on you :)
    Once you've made yourself one pair of bathers I'm sure you'll wonder why you haven't always done so! :)

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    1. Thank you Carolyn!

      I have always been excruciatingly slow at dipping a toe in... but I'll definitely take encouragement from repeat swimwear sewists like you!

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  4. It may be a little large but I still think it looks great on you and while the contrast sash might have been a forced decision, it's a really nice touch.

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    1. Thanks Robyn!

      I guess too big is better than too small, especially in the heat. I like the contrast too so I'm kind of glad I ran out of fabric. Sometimes having a ginormous stash and never throwing the scraps out is useful!

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  5. What a great summer dress! I wouldn't have looked twice at that pattern based on the envelope but I think it might go on the to-sew list now I've seen yours. Now if only we got summers in the uk...

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    1. I know - I honestly wouldn't have looked twice either if I hadn't seen it made up on Sallieoh's blog! Even though it's only spring here the weather has already been insanely hot ie lots of days at 35C=95F; we get too, too much summer here (take some, please do!).

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  6. Very avant-guard! I like the light pink sash against the hot pink.

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  7. I love this dress!!! I think it might try it for some upcoming Christmas parties in a dupion silk.Thanks

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    1. Thanks, me too! I'm sure it would be beautiful in silk!

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  8. I really like it in the linen as the back pleats look like they hold up really well. I also love the colour combination of the dress and sash.

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  9. You don't need luck. I am sure with your skills it will be easy!

    I love your dress! The colour and fabric is outstanding and I really like the designer detail.

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  10. Lovely dress! I love the color!

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  11. AMAZING ! Love the dress and colour!

    If you love all things fabric and sewing you should subscribe to our new blog!

    www.selectivefinefabrics.blogpost.com for tips and techniques for sewing the finest of fabrics ! We are an importer of silks and laces so our blog showcases some of our collections as well !

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  12. I have this pattern & plan to sew it so thanks for your details! I love this colour & the sash too. I think you look fabulous in this dress.

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  13. Colour, twirlability, legs, all terrific. It also looks beautifully cool to wear. Your daughter is right about the shoes, very cute.

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  14. That looks like a fun dress to wear. Love the color and the way you added a belt to add shape in front, but still keep the trapeze shape in back. I find McCalls has a bit more built in ease than Vogue, but I think this is supposed to be a very loose fitting garment

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  15. Awesome colour and yes too large but the belt in contrast colour is lovely. Would you make it again smaller? Please don't make it longer asthis length looks amazing - you've the legs to show off you see :o). Oh and for the record I liked the first shoes best LOL.

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  16. I'm about to make this dress and your review is very helpful. Yours looks lovely. Have you worn it much since the photos?

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  17. Oooo I love this - the colour combo, the shape and, I have mild addiction to linen at the moment. I know what you mean about the above the knee section but from the outside it doesn't look too short at all. Simply lovely!!

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