Tuesday 13 March 2012

Stripey Stretch Dress

If this dress could talk and you got close enough to hear it, it would be saying, 'Here's the hips, here's the bum, here's the boobs, there's the legs down there....'. Basically it would just be spouting a list of the body parts it does not leave to the imagination!

I made this dress back in December, but haven't got round to posting about it until now. I was planning on taking some nice photos of it during the first evening I wore it which was just before Christmas. But that evening I ended up getting engaged instead, so all thoughts of photographic endeavours went out of the window!

It's made from some hefty knitted fabric I was able to snare from work. It is stretchy enough to not require any fastenings, but really thick so I don't feel every lump and bump is exposed and it can be worn in colder seasons with opaque tights and another layer (like my new bolero shrug, as pictured above). I like that the two different fabrics give a kind of trompe-l'Å“il effect as if I'm wearing a top and skirt instead of a dress. It's a total cheat's way of appearing to have well coordinating clothing! And the VERY best thing about it? You can eat as much as you like whilst wearing it!!! Nothing digs in and tries to tell you 'That's enough chocolate pudding now, Zoe'.

I really didn't have to try very hard to make this dress. The pattern is basically straight out of the Sew U: Home Stretch book (which I used a couple of years ago back in Spain here and here). It's the dress pattern included in the book with slightly adapted sleeves and a scoop neck. I'm really struggling to find details to share with you about this project! I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you are interested in learning to sew with jersey and knit fabrics but aren't sure where to start, you really should get a copy of this book. It demystifies the whole construction process and techiniques, and the patterns included in the book are a good place to start to work on creating your perfect stretch patterns. All my stretchy fabric patterns that I've developed for myself include elements from those original patterns.

If pushed, there are two things I'd probably change if I were to make this again (and I may well, if I come across some appropriate thick jersey, knit or sweatshirting). I'd probably make the neck binding strip a touch narrower, and I'd make the skirt length a fair chunk longer! When I'm walking around in this, I really can't feel if my arse is covered or not! Plus, if it was a bit longer, I'd have some enough fabric to re-hem the bottom when it stretches out and starts to look wierd, as I predict it will. The good thing about creating it in two separate sections (top and bottom) though, is that I could easily cut away the skirt section and make a new one if that bit starts to spoil the top.

Ooh, it looks a bit Beetlejuice in the picture above, doesn't it?! Well, in that case, it's showtime!!!

19 comments:

Unknown said...

I loves it, what a fab dress! And it looks amazing on you!

Stacy @ Stacyverb said...

You're right, the stripes are very Beetlejuice. I love the Tim Burton-ishness of this! And love those gathers on the sleeves.

LLADYBIRD said...

I love this! I love that it's a dress but it looks like two separate pieces... and I love the whole I-get-to-eat-everything-in-the-room factor you get when one wears knits :) The best part!

You could always lengthen the hem a touch by adding a wide band to the bottom - similar to the band you have at the neckline, just thicker. I used to do this a lot when I made knit dresses; usually about 5" wide (when folded) worked great. If you pull it a little when sewing it on (again, like the neckband), it'll help keep the dress snug around your legs, thus saving you the possibility of a wardrobe malfunction :)

MrsC (Maryanne) said...

It looks fantastic on you :)

Sewing Princess said...

You're so slim, wish I had you legs! You can certainly wear it. Don't be afraid!

Didyoumakethat said...

I love it! I particularly like that last photo of the shoulder detail. But not being able to feel if your arse is on show... Yeah, in that case I can sympathise!

niddetissus said...

It's a beautiful dress and you look great in it!

Yvette Friendship said...

I think this is a stunning dress and looks like something very high end retail quality too! Great make. :)

Vintage Girl said...

It's beautiful! I think that dress is saying here's a pretty girl that looks great! You look so super slender. Wonderful job!

Marie said...

I love this Zo, it's body-hugging but flattering at the same time! I'm going to have to invest in that book for sure! I recently started sewing with jersey and I'm loving it, but would be good to have a bit more knowledge!

Anonymous said...

That dress is awesome! The best part is that you made it-- and from better quality fabric to boot. I really like the sleeves. If you wanted that tapered skirt look, it would be so easy to take it in from mid hip to the end. I only say that in regards to my body shape,lol. You look great with it ^_^

Claire (aka Seemane) said...

Love it - I thought this was a top + skirt post from the intial photo, and then when I read down I thought "A dress? Genius!".

Law said...

Oooh me likey!

I'm planning to trace the dress pattern pieces this weekend (thanks for the book loan BTW) and make one of the dress variations myself. Nice to see it in action!

Ali said...

You look fab! I love this book as well, and you've made such great dresses out of it. I'm planning on doing a stripe/black dress too using Jalie 3024 when it warms up.

I particularly like how you've paired it -- pops of color! :) Red tights!!

Rehanon Mackenzie said...

This is hugely lovely! Dress that looks like separates what's not to love. I'm so getting that book. You look v fabulous xxx

Mezzamay said...

Love it! You look great and it's been made beautifully :-)

Lavender said...

If this dress could talk, it would say don't make me any shorter, because I want to show off those sexy gams!!! LOVE this dress.

Hazza said...

oh my goodness. so HOT! I love this dress. I WANT this dress. GIVE ME this dress!!! and you in this dress. I love LOOOOOVE it!

ben268 said...

Cute outfit. I love stockings and dresses like this.

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