A Gathered Sundress and small projects...

I'm home from Ft. Myers and almost unpacked. Once upon a time, when I was travelling for work so very much, I would have been unpacked, laundry in progress, within 30 minutes of hitting the door.


But not now...retirement is relaxing. I finally realized that there are no in-my-space-police looking to see if everything is picked up and put away!


And here is my major sewing project while I was away. It's a variation of the Pattern Runway Gathered Sundress, done in pretty much the same combo as my first version in June, 2014. I used the skirt from the pattern, and added an easy pull-on bodice and raised waistband (no zippers around here).


I love the pockets on this skirt - they're the real reason I bought the pattern in the first place.

Pattern Runway Gathered Sundress

Pretty cute - but I don't care for the dress, now that it's done. The fabric just doesn't hang and drape the way I'd like when I'm wearing it. It's Art Gallery Prism Elements Collection Garnet Cotton, purchased from Craftsy. And it's described by them as poplin, which it definitely is not. 

It's actually quilting cotton, the sheeting type, and it's very crisp, probably more so because of the red color drench. I love the print and color, and I really wanted this dress to work. Sigh. But I'll re-cut the skirt for capri pants or shorts. 

Other sewing was successful, although a bit more on the domestic side. 

I've grown tired of my colored pillowcase, made a couple years ago, and feeling lazy, I've been pricing them online. Have you seen how much a pillowcase costs?!! Ummm - I could outfit a child for camp for the cost of 6 pillowcases. 

Not. I picked up a lovely twin size flat sheet at Targets, 100% cotton, 300 TC, with a 'peached' finish. Soft and only $9! After I undid the hems (easy peasy, since they were done with a single-needle chain stitch), I had plenty of fabric for 6 cases with nice deep headers. Yay! 

Parting shots:

Callisto - huntress

Ashley with her sling bag at the San Diego Comic Con

 And new head gear from the Con...

Wonder Woman...

Ciao! Coco

Pattern Runway Gathered Sundress - My June Garment of the Month!

Oh, it feels good to make something that works! I originally planned to make a skirt from this pattern, but was not happy with the fabric I had chosen for it and didn't feel like struggling. This was perfect, what a great pattern.

Of course, I had to make a maxi dress. And I made a few changes to the bodice because I can't wear zippers. But if you squint, it's the same dress :-). 

My reconstruction and sewing notes:

Rather than work with the bodice provided, I used the bodice from Butterick 5736 (also seen as a tunic and a dress a couple years ago). It's generous enough for me to slip over my head, no closure needed. And instead of a fitted waistband, I made one the same width as the lower edge of the bodice.

The band, which is lined in poly/cotton broadcloth, is 3" wide unfinished, and is sewn with 1/2" seam allowances.

Inside

I like the contrast waistband, I think it breaks up the print a bit  and adds interest to the dress.

Outside

The bodice is finished with generous bias bindings, applied in the round for comfort. I mention this because I've been asked what kinds of things I do to make my clothes more comfortable for sensitive skin. I find that avoiding open seam allowances against my skin really helps, particularly around my neck, shoulders, underarms, and waist.

Fabric: Floral Orange cotton calico from JoAnns

Shoulder seam

Bottom of arm opening

The pockets are very shallow, but are easy to lengthen. I added 4" to the pocket and pocket lining at a point that didn't effect the inside and outside curves.

 And I lengthened the skirt by 20". The rest of the dress is straight from the pattern!

Miss Squirrel missed this one...she must be off playing with her friend next door again.

Ciao! Coco

Making plans for a June Garment of the Month

Are you inspired by what women wore in the past? Fashion comes and goes - but it always seems to come back. In researching my next Garment of the Month, I came across these dresses from June of 1875. Oh my.

Beautiful, but thank goodness these styles are not trending! They must have been so warm.

Actually, I'm inspired by the gathered sundress from Pattern Runway. It has the cutest pockets I've ever seen. The entire dress is so pretty, I love the nipped waist effect and the summery bodice. The whole dress has a retro look - so appealing. Great sneakers!

Alas, it also has a back zipper, a no-no for me.

I thought about simply using a different bodice, with an elasticized waistband, so I can pull it over my head. And I'll do this soon. But for my first version I've decided to make a skirt. A maxi skirt at that (I can always shorten it if I don't like it long). Here's my basic design:

Rather make it a pull-on, with an elasticized waist, I'm opening the front and using buttons all the way down. I'd like to keep the 'nipped' waist look. For fun, I'm planning to add a contrast bias band to the top of the waistband and all the way down the button placket edges, to match the binding on the pockets. 

The main fabric is Nicole's Prints Retro Floral calico from Alexander Henry, and the contrast fabric is Savannah Flower Dots calico from the Stonehill Collection. To add a bit more body to the skirt and diminish wrinkling, I'm using a Symphony broadcloth lining (it's a very smooth, lightweight poly/cotton).

I'm looking forward to sewing this project! Working with the pattern (which is a PDF) and drafting new pieces for a skirt has been interesting. My living room floor should be covered with fabric soon! 

Bye for now - Coco