I wanted to try another tiered dress for Summer 2021 but this dress got pushed to Spring 2022. I mean I own a bunch of Mysotis dresses and I wanted to use another pattern for a different style dress to add to my wardrobe. That's how my interest was piqued by this tiered dress. I know I've been sewing more Style Arc patterns lately but they have expanded their sizing and the designs fit my lifestyle. Casual with a fashion flair...
Last year I carted it to Sew Camp but didn't work on it. I thought I would have completed it by summer's end. However, by late September I realized it wasn't happening, so I set it aside.
Hello Summer 2022...
Supplies ~
4 yards of printed cotton from fabric dot com (purchased January 2021)
14" white invisible zipper
Gingham bias binding purchased during Sew Camp 2021
Pattern & Design Changes ~
This pattern is a slip-on dress that has a double fabric bodice and no closure. However, I did a few things differently...
1. I scooped the front and back neckline a little deeper on the pattern.
2. I added a 14" invisible zipper to make it easier to get into the dress. The back bodice piece was changed by omitting the cut on fold the pattern suggests. A 1/2" back seam allowance was added so I could insert the zipper.
3. The double bodice was eliminated and I finished the neckline and armholes with some cotton gingham bias binding from the collection.
4. The lower tier was lengthened by 4" to make it maxi length. I would add another 2" to this tier for the next version.
Those are all the changes I made.
A Few Photos ~
This is a simple sew and an easy to wear loose-fitting dress. The only thing to note is if you don't want to do a lot of gathering this dress is NOT for you. I don't mind gathering and even I had to take my time when doing it. It got a little tedious.
By the way, how do you gather? For small sections of fabric to be gathered, I use the two stitching lines. However, when I'm gathering swaths of fabric like this, I zig zag over waxed dental floss. Waxed dental floss because it makes it easier to pull it through the zig zag tunnel and it doesn't break. The one thing you don't want is it breaking halfway through the gathering. Also why I don't use stitched lines. I've had the thread break on me and it ain't pretty!
THIS is the perfect summer dress. As I wore it to take pictures, I thought I need another one or two of these in some of the pretty challis prints I own. So hopefully that will happen this summer. I just don't know because I have a pretty robust sewing list and another five garments in my cut pile.
...as always more later!
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