Monday, June 25, 2012

merino dress

Here's a dress I made a few weeks ago. It's made from beautiful fine New Zealand merino wool knit.
(Do I ever take those boots off? Um yeah, when I go to bed.)
I was very pleased with this dress when I finished it and I've been really enjoying wearing it so I'm not sure why I'm feeling a little uninspired to write about it. Maybe because the thrill of having it newly finished has passed? Do you find that?
Anyhow, on with the details.
Fabric: was very reasonably priced, from this Etsy shop (as opposed to $45/m from the shop around the corner, which I really want to support, but...).
Pattern: began with the Sew U Home Stretch boatneck top, like my blue stripey one. Since the merino doesn't have a huge amount of stretch, I gave it a wee bit more room across the bust and shoulders by the incredibly un-technical move of slanting the pattern piece away from the fold of the fabric slightly at the top. I cut the neckline just a bit lower at the front. Then I added a drapey cowl-ish neck.

I measured the length of the neckline and cut a long rectangle the same length (small added seam allowance), sewed it into a circle, doubled it over and sewed it on.
I made the sleeves extra-long for winterish warmth. Edges left raw cos I can... let's call it a style thing.
Purple has to be the hardest colour to capture in photographs. This is really a very deep, dark purple, kind of like if you started with navy blue then purpled it up.
I wore the top part around for a day with a skirt on just to get the feel of it and see what to do about adding a skirt. I decided I liked the way it crumpled around my waist and that I wanted to maintain that in a dress.
To make the skirt I measured the bottom of the top and cut a six-panelled skirt that would match that width at its top. It's slightly a-line at each seam so there was no way it would end up too clingy. I just winged it really, making one pattern piece for the centre panel (front and back) and one pattern piece for the four side panels (front and back) but I did make a test version out of scrap to make sure it would work.
I sewed that to the top and then made a wide drawstring casing which covers the waist seam. Edges are raw here and on the bottom of the skirt. Made a tube of fabric for the drawstring.
And there you have it.
Cosy comfy purple dress!

- Jane x

Update - forgot to ask - does anyone have any ideas for adding a pocket to this? Or should I just keep stuffing a hanky up my sleeve?

16 comments:

  1. Yep, it's a winner. Your sewing is very inspiring. I should really make more clothes for myself. Bugger the rest of the family.

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  2. So cute! I love the way you drafted the skirt and that drawstring is adorable. And the fabric is fab!

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  3. Thanks ladies! I'm not massively confident at just making things up like this so a bit of affirmation is great :)

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  4. Love the dress. Surely you don't need a hanky pocket with long wipe and fold back sleeves.

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    1. Ah of course! I could hide so much snot up there.

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  5. I love this - you are clever to do this. As to pockets - can you insert some side pockets in the seam?

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  6. Lovely dress. The style suits you perfectly. Well done in creating your own design. I like how you've added the drawstring and casing. The obvious answer would be adding inseam pockets at the side seams. That said, I wouldn't actually do that myself as I don't need anymore bulk or width down the sides. Got plenty of that already! I think I'd be leaning towards the 'tissue up the sleeve' technique.

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  7. Your dress looks VERY comfy. I love merino fabric cause you can wear it more than once between washes anad it doesn't smell! ;) Nice job, - and you could just stitch a pocket or two smack on the skirt and it would look groovy. Make them a decent size and they can keep you hands warm too!

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    1. yes indeed on the low washing requirements... it's machine washable but I'm just going to give it a sniff and look for visible dirt and only wash when it fails one of those! I was sort of thinking a single raw-edged patch pocket, maybe I should just cut one out and pin in on and see.

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  8. A merino wool dress? Sign me up! It looks gorgeous and comfy! And I love those extra long sleeeves. And you know I'm with you on unfinished edges :)

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  9. Oooh, cozy, unstructured, and super comfy!! The ideal winter dress! I love the fabric and the color (what I can see of it, haha) too. I agree - side seam pockets. I like the uncluttered look of this dress.

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  10. Thanks for the pocket suggestions everyone! I have a feeling that side seam pockets would look a bit lumpy and I have enough lumpiness already, ha. Plus I'm a bit lazy to unpick... Hmm, am coping without so may just continue.

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  11. Oh that's nice... And what a gorgeous colour!! If it was me I'd put jeans shaped patch pockets where jeans pockets would be - raw edged like the rest of it - but it really does look good all smooth and uncluttered...

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  12. I love this! It looks so comfy and slouchy and what a great color. It really suits you. I don't have that Sew U book, but I keep seeing lots of great things from it. Will have to check it out.

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  13. I love the colour and the material especially.

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  14. Hi, love your dress. If you want to make a dress out of New Zealand Merino fabric then go to http://www.newzealandmerinoandfabrics.co.nz. This is the best website to buy New Zealand merino fabrics and they ship worldwide.

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Hey, I would really love to know what you think. Go on!

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