Tag: Dress

Posted on by

Green Spotty Dress and Raincoat

spotty cotton dress and raincoat

Clair wearing Off-white raincoat with Kaffe Fassett Green spotty panelled dress.
Fabrics and Notions (raincoat):
Proofed cotton
Kaffe Fassett spotty printed cotton (lining)
Double cover buttons
Piping cord with self-made bias binding
Viscose iron-on interfacing.
Pattern: McCall’s 5525

Fabrics and Notions (dress)
Green Kaffe Fassett spotty printed cotton
Green Venezia lining
Invisible zip
Piping cord and bias binding
Knitted medium weight iron- on interfacing

Clair, being the queen of matchy-matchy fashion excelled herself here with this summer-weight all-weather ensemble. Proofed fabrics will need a sharp, fine needle, such as ‘super-stitch’ or those intended for use on microfibre

Posted on by

Abstract Print Jersey Dress

abstract print viscose and elastane sun dress

Kit relaxing in her poly spandex slinky jersey dress

Fabric and Notions:
Printed Polyester Spandex printed single jersey
Stay tape
Pattern: Vogue 8358

This was the first time Kit had sewn jersey, and the first outing for the Vogue pattern, she was pleasantly surprised at how simple it was. (I keep telling people this but they never believe me)

Posted on by

Purple Embroidered Linen Shift Dress

embroidered linen shift dress

Dee wears this elegant purple embroidered linen mix shift dress
Fabrics and Notions:
String embroidered linen mix
Purple Venezia lining
Medium weight knitted iron-on interfacing
Invisible zip

It is a good idea to make a toile (a roughly made up dress in inexpensive fabric) when making a shift dress with this flattering wide neck style so that it doesn’t gape. A toile is ALWAYS a good idea when making up a pattern you haven’t tried before, but it is especially important for this neckline which has a tendency to gape. Dee made this up beautifully.

Posted on by

Red Robot Print A-Line Dress

red robot print cotton dress

Cheryl stood outside our shop wearing a red robot printed cotton dress

Fabrics and Notions:
Red robot print cotton
Invisible zip
Medium weight iron-on interfacing

This style dress is easy to make and will often not even need a zip, a great choice for beginners, or those who want to knock something up quickly. For best results choose an interesting print and let the fabric do the talking, or trim a plain fabric with ribbons, bindings or braids around the hem and neckline. This style also works really well in jersey.

Posted on by

Kaffe Fassett Printed Cotton Dress and Skirt

Brandon Mabley printed cotton dress and ruffle hem skirt

Jane and Clair in matching ‘corporate colours’ dress and skirt using Kaffe Fassett printed Cotton

Fabrics and Notions: (Jane)
Kaffe Fassett printed cotton
Piping and self made bias binding
Cotton lawn (lining)
Invisible zip
Pattern: Simplicity 3881

Fabrics and Notions: (Clair)
Kaffe Fassett printed cotton
Venezia lining
Invisible zip
Lightweight knitted iron-on interfacing
Pattern: Vintage Vogue

Posted on by

Cotton Round-Neck Dress

Tina Givens printed cotton flared dress

Kit in her Tina Givens designed birdy print cotton dress with belt

Fabrics and Notions:
Tina Givens printed cotton
Invisible zip
Silk habotai (lining)
Pattern: Very Easy Vogue 8469

Putting a lining under a cotton dress such as this immediately makes the dress feel more special, it adds weight which aids the drape, and helps cut down on creasing (even if the lining creases). It also (often) stabilises enough to negate facings.

Posted on by

Black Polka Dot Jersey Dress

polka dot printed viscose and elastane dress

Bess in her black and white polka dot viscose jersey dress (So good she made it twice)

Fabrics and Notions:
Polka dot Viscose jersey
Stay tape (shoulder seams)

Polka dots are a great flattering print which withstand the fashion cycles. Bess wore this versatile dress to death and so made another one, it is so easy it can be made in less than an hour on the overlocker.

Posted on by

Cartoon Print Jersey Dress

cartoon print jersey dress

Bess (the day after her wedding) wearing cartoon print jersey dress.

Fabrics and Notions:
Cartoon print cotton and elastane jersey
Elastic

Bess thought the jersey a bit lightweight for her taste so made it double (rather than lining it in a tricot which she didn’t feel was heavy enough).

Also worn at Womad for her hen party. The neckline was cut the same as her wedding dress so she wouldn’t get tan lines.

ignore the handcuffs… it was a hen party thing
Posted on by

Stretch Denim Bridesmaid Dresses

stretch denim strapless bridesmaids dresses

Jo and Lulu sporting matching bridesmaid’s dresses for Bess’s wedding, made out of strecth cotton denim, net underskirts and covered belts. (Made by Jane)
Fabrics and Notions:
Stretch cotton denim
Cotton voil lining
Nylon dress net
Covered boning
Invisible zip
Petersham (waist stays)
Pattern: custom made

When using a ‘less posh’ type of fabric such as stretch denim and you want to make it look posh, make sure the pattern choice is structured and fits perfectly. Stretch denim is great to make tight bodices as it is strong and has just the right amount of ‘give’ (which means the poor suffering bridesmaids can breathe -usually a good thing)