I needed to kick-start my sewing mojo – and what better to do than make an easy-going shift dress!
There is something 80’s going on in these photographs… maybe it’s the hair / baggy dress / leggings ensemble?
But if I turn this way, it could almost be the 1920’s? Or the 1960’s?
Either of which makes sense, since those are my granny’s glass beads :)
But let’s not quibble about the era, because this is such a simple style that it doesn’t really have a best-before date.
Stats:
Pattern: Robe Alexia from the book Un Ete Couture by Geraldine Debeauvais, the designer behind Republique Du Chiffon (RDC). I made size Small and it is just right.
Fabric: 2 metres of Nani Iro Japanese double gauze in the Pierre Pocho Fortune Stones design, from Guthrie and Ghani, £9.10 per half metre. I did not realise how narrow this fabric was until I tried to lay out my pattern pieces and discovered I had to cut the sleeves sideways. I got away with it, but I need to pay more attention to the width when I am buying fabric online.
Process: The pattern is recommended for “grandes debutantes”, absolute beginners, and that is a good assessment.
There is nothing tricky here at all: no darts, no fastenings, no awkward facings.
It would be a great choice for experiments with an awkward fabric.
The double gauze behaved fairly well, but I would not want to use it for anything with narrow pleats or tucks as it can be quite stretchy.
You definitely need to stay-stitch your neck.
Speaking of which… that’s what drew me to this pattern: the neckline.
It fits perfectly across my shoulders, with no strap exposure and no gaping at the back or the front.
Verdict?
I hesitate to say this.. but I think I like it even better than my Camber dresses – gasp!
It was easier to make and I really love the wider neck.
It is also more of an a-line, so has a little more movement to it.
I am wearing it with leggings here, but it would be instantly more “dressed-up” worn with tights and some pointy shoes.
So… another successful sew from Un Ete Couture – this book was definitely worth every penny!