Saturday 9 November 2013

Pine-Lime Splice Dress

I've finished another dress - the dress-making binge continues.



I didn't plan on making this dress - I'd actually planned a different dress... Well, to be completely honest I had a couple of different dresses planned (always plenty of competing priorities on the sewing list!).  But then I got sidetracked by the splendid lime fabric.

The Splendid lime fabric..


Thinking back, way back when - about a week ago, tops... 

I'd popped into Tessuti Fabrics for something mundane, glanced at the remnants table and WOAH! evidently someone that just my taste had been in recently, buying up big time, and leaving some delicious remnants behind.

Top left to bottom right, here's what I found bought: 


and here's what I planned:  

a fitted sheath dress (coral), cigarette pants (black), a beach coverup to coordinate with my daughter's swimmers, a Splice dress (lime), and part of a swimsuit (the black lycra I'd popped in for).



The following photo shows the lime fabric colour really well (ignore what looks like a crankiness, please, it's just the sun making me squint!):


The fabric is a viscose-elastane stretch fabric, and probably a bit thin and clingy for the dress by itself, so I'm wearing a cotton voile slip under it.  I made this slip a few years ago to go under a dress that has since left the wardrobe, but the slip seems to be the perfect length to accompany many other dresses :)

And the pattern is one that's been made by many other sewists before - Vogue 8870, in the Very Easy series. It's an easy-to-wear style - loose, gathered at the waist - and just a little bit trendy with its high-low hem.


I started the dress in a rush, without checking Pattern Review (oops, if I'd read nicegirl's review I'd have known to watch out for the front bodice - shorter in the middle than on the sides!), and without checking the suggested fabrics (stretch fabrics aren't listed).

The changing bodice length doesn't seem to be that noticeable in real life, and I think the pattern works well in a lightweight stretch fabric.  Having said that, obviously making this *woven* dress out of a stretch fabric necessitated a few changes in technique - I used a walking foot and a twin needle in some places, for example, and instead of sewing a casing for the waist elastic I stitched the top edge of the elastic, stretched out, close to the seam between bodice and skirt.



The dress is supposed to have side pockets, and of course I'm in favour of pockets in everything, but in this fabric I left them off - I thought the pocket openings would get saggy. I also took out 2cm at centre back to try to reduce the risk of wardrobe malfunctions in the front wrap. 


The waistline elastic has ended up a bit loose, but the dress is super comfy and looks a lot better on than expected, so I'll be leaving it loose for now.  And I wasn't sure about the high-low trend (late to this party) but the low part of the hem in this fabric has a soft, swishy, caressing feeling against my back calves when I walk or when a breeze blows - is this sensation what the trend is really about, do you think :)?


I always like ogling other bloggers' shoes, so here's a closeup of mine. Nothing flash, but I'm very keen on the colour and the chunky sole.



Finally, for those of you unfamiliar with the Pine-Lime Splice, one of my top 3 summer icypoles, here's a photo of one. Refreshing and icy on the outside and creamy in the middle - I'll leave you to make any amusing visual comparisons:






See you soon

 - Gabrielle x



25 comments:

  1. I do like the citrusy combo! If you were worried about the waist perhaps you could look out for an orange belt! I like the high low hem it adds interest.

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    1. Thanks Andrea - yes, I think an orange belt would look great! I'll have to keep an eye out for one...

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  2. The Pine Lime Splice would be in my top three too. Great summer dress. Looks fab with the tangerine shoes. Great citrusy ensemble all around.

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    1. Yay for the pine-lime splice! Thanks, it's already getting lots of wears - I'm really enjoying this colour combo too.

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  3. I love Splice and I love the dress too. I'm interested in where you got your shoes... can't go past the citrus look!

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    1. Thank you! My shoes are from Wittner (is that their name?). They also come in white and black. They're narrow at the ankle and wide at the toes, and they run a bit short... They looked to have lots of orange shoes this season...

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  4. Lovely dress and what a remnants haul! I never, NEVER, find anything decent on that table. So jealous :)

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    1. Thanks Jillian! Ah well I guess this is one place where I am lucky - the remnants table! Mind you, no one ever gives me their lovely old patterns - so jealous right back at you lol.

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  5. I adore it! Lime is one of my absolute fave colours and the design you chose looks really cool :)

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    1. I hadn't realized what an awesome colour it was till recently - and it was definitely a colour I thought I couldn't wear... I'm a lime convert! Thank you :)

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  6. Love Pine-Lime Splices, your dress, and those orange sandals!

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    1. Awww thank you Paola! And it's so fun getting dressed as an icy pole :)

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  7. It is a great dress, pretty much the style I´m looking for right now, only long sleeved. Love the colour and the sandals are the coolest!

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    1. Thank you Merche! I guess the pattern wouldn't be too hard to modify for winter, but honestly it's not the best pattern... That bodice definitely runs short in the front, and the side bodice is long and wide.

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  8. Great score at the remnants table at Tessuti's, you picked up some great fabrics. I like how your dress flares out at the back in the breeze too - maybe you're right about it being the key reason for the style's popularity

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    1. Thanks Kirsty, I was pretty lucky wasn't I! Now I just need to pull out my finger and get sewing... The way that fabric at the back moves really does feel great; such an unexpected bit of fun for your legs :)

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  9. Pine Lime may be fine but I was always a Golden Gaytime girl! Although using that as a theme for a dress could be a bit dodgy heh heh! I love your dress, lime is definately my favourite green and really suits you. Why have I not noticed this pattern before, oh yes that right, because of Vogue's horrible styling and photography!

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    1. Ah yes, the Golden Gaytime was one of my childhood faves - but have you had one lately? The nuts on the outside aren't crunchy anymore! It could be a dodgy dress theme.... and you might get some odd readers :). Thanks, I'm really loving this colour too!

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    2. Yes, you are right! The nuts are a bit soggy and sad these days!

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  10. Love the casual vibe of this dress! So cool! I agree with another comment that adding a belt would be great too!

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    1. Thank you Margo! I am not very well stocked in the belt department but will definitely need to look out for one...

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  11. Very comfy looking and summery dress! Love your fabric scores too.

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    1. Thank you Katja, it IS very comfortable, and yes, wasn't I lucky!

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  12. You did well at Tessuti and love your splice dress, perfect for summer (or when it comes back).

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    1. I did, didn't I! Thanks Sharon, I'm sure summer will be back with a vengeance soon!

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