This dress has been a PROJECT (all caps absolutely earned). I started in the fall and then took it all apart and started again in the spring (problems included a conflicted underlining and an ill-fitting skirt). I began with the Elisalex Dress pattern by By Hand London. I tried (and TRIED) but the skirt just didn’t work for me. I ended up using my TNT self-drafted pencil skirt. The fabric is a stretch cotton sateen and I made the piping from silk muslin and 1/8″ cotton cord. I used a combination of couture (learned from Susan Khalje’s Craftsy course) and home sewing techiniques to construct the dress. I lined the bodice with a stretch cotton poplin and sewed the lining to the bodice by hand with fell stitches. I bound the seam allowances on the skirt with Snug Hug and used lace trim on the hem. I stabilized the neck and back with silk organza selvedge. I added drapery weights to the back vent to keep the corners from flipping up. I hand picked (and un-picked/picked/un-picked) a lapped zipper and a centered zipper SIX times; each time the fabric stretched in a highly unattractive way. I finally settled on an invisible zipper and I’m happy to report that I haven’t lost a moment of sleep over that decision! I almost gave up on this dress a number of times, but I am so happy I persevered. I love my new spring dress so much that I bought shoes to match!
Bless your heart!!! I KNOW the struggle you went through with this dress - thank goodness that sateen is such a forgiving fabric and stands up well under OUR stress! I'm so glad you "perservered" until the absolutley gorgeous end!!! Congratulations!!!!!
The dress fits you amazingly well, so all your perseverance was well worth it. I've had projects like that one and I hope to remake a linen dress for my daughter soon.
Thanks, BJ & Sadie!
Amazing design. I like this beautiful floral print.