Friday, February 21, 2014

Portfolio Dress in Nani Iro Muji

A big, big thanks to the lovely Justine of Just Me Jay who was kind enough to lend me her copy of this Lisette/Simplicity Portfolio Dress pattern. Given that it's out of print, we both felt that we were not ripping anyone off by sharing. And oh, I've wanted to make this for so long!


I made the size 14, which is the largest size in the first of the oddly-split two-size-range way they published the pattern. Or is that just how all Simplicity patterns go?

I made a muslin and it was a wee bit firm around the hips, so added about a 1/2 inch on either side there. Otherwise, completely as per pattern. Oh, except I bound the hem to maintain length.

This Nani Iro 'Muji' double gauze is a slightly heavier weight than the usual double gauze; a touch looser in weave and heavier in thread. The print has the potential to look like you've spilt something nasty on yourself. However I thought with the interesting panelling of this pattern, it would obviously be a fabric print rather than an unfortunate accident.

I think it worked, I super-love it and think it should layer up well for colder weather, too.

Next time I make this pattern I would probably skip the interfacing in the sleeve bands, since they fold back on themselves and end up with heaps of fabric layers that probably don't need interfacing to add to the bulk.

This pattern been out of print for some time now, and one might think the folks at Simplicity would have considered a reprint by now due to this pattern's immense popularity. But sadly, it appears that's not the way Simplicity works. The good news is that I believe Liesl Gibson, the pattern's designer (of Oliver + S fame), is working on a pattern tweak that will get around copyright issues and allow the world access to this style once again! Although it may only be in pdf format, if it's in the Liesl & Co line, but I guess that's better than nothing.

In the meantime, I am very lucky to be in touch with lovely bloggy friends like Justine (you can see a beautiful Portfolio she's made here) who love to share the sewing love. (And Justine, I promise your pattern will be on its way back to you veryverysoon!)

- Jane x




14 comments:

  1. Oh, Jane - love it! Gorgeous fabric choice and looks so fab on you :-)
    Happy to have been able to share the Portfolio love x

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  2. Love this dress! I have made it up a few times, but none of mine look as fantastic as yours!

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    1. Thanks Emma :) Nice to have discovered your blog, too!

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  3. LOOK AT THAT FABRIC! It looks amazing on you. You are having a very productive sewing year so far :)

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  4. I love this. I'm always on the hunt for fancy sack-like patterns with groovy pockets. They're just so me. Sewing it up in a solid linen means you have a perfect canvas for fabulous accessories to. I may just have to intercept the post!

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  5. Ooooooooh!!! LOVE! That fabric looks absolutely ... sumptuous. Beautiful. And you look so radiant and happy here.

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  6. Love it!! It looks amazing on you Jane xxx

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  7. I love it too! The pocket details and the choice of fabric are just perfect. I do love a nice shift dress! Bethx

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  8. Love this in one fabric - yours looks much more appealing than the one on the pattern sleeve. I once stockpiled Lisette patterns but didn't make them all yet. I wonder if I have this one in my stack. I will have to check, because I want to make something as pretty as yours!

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  9. Its beautiful on you!

    Oh how I love the Portfolio, I have more of those dresses then any other.

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  10. This is beautiful, now I have Portfolio dress envy all over again! I've recently made the new Cappuccino by Lisette, which is also a great sewing pattern but having seen your Portfolio am wishing I had the original round neck style version too. *sigh*

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  11. This is beautiful, now I have Portfolio dress envy all over again! I've recently made the new Cappuccino by Lisette, which is also a great sewing pattern but having seen your Portfolio am wishing I had the original round neck style version too. *sigh*

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

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