Friday 23 August 2013

Simplicity sundress

I'm really thrilled to share my newest creation with you today as it's my first project for the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network


When the UK finally started enjoying some proper sunshine this year, I realised there was a sundress-shaped gap in my wardrobe. By sundress, I mean something light with straps to keep you cool in the boiling sun. I have one dress of that description - my Colette Patterns Parfait - which is a fabulous workhorse of a dress, but I fancied a change in style. I'd pinned this lovely fifties vintage dress to Pinterest as inspiration and although I knew I didn't want the skirt on mine to be as full, I really wanted to recreate the neat, fitted bodice and contrast white bodice band. 




To do this I chose Simplicity 2176, which as sundress patterns go, is about as traditional as they come. It has a lovely, princess seamed bodice, a pleated skirt and endless strap combinations. As I outlined in this post, I'm not a natural wearer of pleats and thought long and hard about whether to include them or not. In the end I decided to just go for it and embrace the old fashioned look of the pattern.



As it's a warm weather dress, I chose a linen-look cotton in Royal Blue from Minerva Crafts. This fabric is fab: it's 100% cotton, drapes beautifully and has the look and feel of linen without all the tiresome creases. I underlined it to make it a bit more opaque using white silk cotton, and used white piqué fabric for the outer bodice band, both from my stash. I love the contrast of colours, they just look so fresh together.


There were no nasty surprises lurking in the instruction sheet and it all came together without incident - a lovely, easy make. Accustomed as I am to Simplicity patterns having way too much ease in them. I cut a size 12. Annoyingly, this pattern seems to be pretty true to its measurements and the bodice ended up a bit tight. Grrr! I reduced the side seam allowances which makes it a lot more comfortable to wear, but the bodice rides a bit higher than my natural waist because my boobs take up too much space! It's my own fault for being so lazy in the first place and not making a muslin - next time I'll definitely need to do a FBA! It's totally wearable as it is though and although I'm still getting used to the look of the pleats I do like them.  




Because of the pleats and neat bodice, this dress feels very ladylike - I should be wearing it with proper heels and gloves. In real life, I'll probably wear it with flip flops or wedges. Anyway, mission accomplished and I now have a sundress to add to my summer wardrobe.

If you fancy making your own sundress, Minerva Crafts have put together a great kit which you can purchase here. The kit comprises a copy of Simplicity 2176, two metres of Royal Blue linen-look cotton, matching thread and a 14 inch dress zip. Happy sewing! 

The kit was given to me free of charge as part of the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network. All views my own.





38 comments:

  1. i love the colour of this dress. the combination with the white is really fantastic. Yet another wonderful creation, Miss Jane!!
    Rosie

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  2. You look absolutely lovely! The pleats are very becoming.

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  3. Love the blue and white together. So fresh looking.

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  4. This is such a perfect sundress Jane, and it's good to read that the linen look cotton drapes so wonderfully too- have been eying it up myself! The blue though is heavenly!! And I like the splash of white, it does bring a nautical feel to it, even if there are no anchors. Perfect for a sunny holiday I'd say!!

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  5. This is lovely, very fresh and cool looking. And it looks fab with the red wedges.

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  6. lovely! i hadn't spotted that fabric on their site - it's lovely!

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  7. oh my, summer dress envy right now... its stunning

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  8. You look great in pleats! I love the colour of the fabric.

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  9. This is fabulous! I love the color combination and the style. You look so smart! I think the pleats make for a balanced silouhette, so no fretting, you look terrific.

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  10. This is really flattering on you! I like the snug bodice with the fuller, pleated skirt. You did a wonderful job.

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  11. Oooeeerrr! It's lovely Jane...I seriously like the pleats. The whole shape is so flattering on you and the bodice looks spot on to me!

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  12. I'm not normally one for pleats either, but I think they are quite flattering in this dress! Beautiful shape, and that color is perfect on you.

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  13. It's really cute, much better than the dresses on the actual pattern!
    -Amy

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  14. It looks fantastic on you!! Beautiful dress, love the color and shape of it. It's a very flattering look!

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  15. Look at you doll! Another winner, winner, chicken dinner :) that colour just pops on you and as for heels I think it looks super flattering with wedges lovely xxx

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  16. Gorgeous colour, gorgeous dress and you look beautiful in it.

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  17. So pretty, fresh, and classy. Beautiful color too.

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  18. I have this pattern and made it once...mine was a wadder but I plan on giving it another shot. I, too found mine was a little snug!

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  19. I love this dress! And the colour is gorgeous on you!

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  20. Very summery looking - I love a well sewn summer dress. The white band is a great detail ...J

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  21. Oh wow Jane, this is just stunning. Really great, strong colour, which looks amazing on you. Love the shape, fit, pleats everything! x

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  22. I love that pattern! I have it and also another that is similar: Simplicity 2373. I am making the 2373 pattern for my daughter this weekend for her dress in her all-girl choir. I do love that blue colour and will be checking into that kit.

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  23. This dress is stunning and looks gorgeous on you. I looove that colour!

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  24. Lovely dress Jane, the colour really suits you too!

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  25. Jane, loving the dress and colour. Where do you get your silk cotton from?

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    1. Thanks! I got the silk cotton from Classic Textiles on the Goldhawk Road but they haven't had any plain white in stock for ages now. They do stock other colours or textured white. It's perfect for underlining. x

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  26. this is super cute, and totally summer-appropriate. i hope you get to wear it a lot!

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  27. That is REALLY cute! The color is great on you, too. I see absolutely no reason for you to shy away from pleats now-- they're just perfect on this dress!

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  28. I love the colour and the pleats! I can understand, if you don't normally wear them, they might look/feel odd but they do suit you, especially with the fitted bodice of the top half. Looks like you'll get more time to wear it, as well, summer is here for a while yet :) Bethx

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  29. It's beautiful! Such a gorgeous color on you! Looks like a great fit to me, and the shape is very flattering.

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  30. This is so lovely! Blue is my fave colour and the splash of white really makes it special (and nautical). LOVE LOVE LOVE :)

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  31. I absolutely love this! You look fabulous in this colour and the pleats look great. And you can get linen look cotton that doesn't crease?! I need some of this amazing fabric.

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  32. Actual PERFECTION. I don't have anything else to say. Everything about it is perfect!

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  33. Love, lovety leeeurrrve! I just bought this pattern in the half price Simplcity sale over at Jaycotts so this is the best inspiration ever! Colour is spot on and I'm certainly going to bear that linen-look cotton in mind. There's a great selection of colours too x

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  34. you and your dress look stunning! Well done!

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  35. Wow that looks stunning, love that blue. I've just clicked the link for the kit & it doesn't work btw - maybe they've sold out!

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