My Drop Waisted Xmas Dress
Before we sign off for 2009, I thought it best to post my Xmas frock, made initially for Tessuti Melbourne’s Christmas party and also worn on Christmas Day for the family festivities. This dress has become a bit of a favourite….it’s just so darn comfortable! The style is an easy drop waisted dress – a style I haven’t worn since the 80’s! I still love this style for my shape and I’ve noticed that this style dress is making a bit of a comeback.
I decided to make the dress in Floral Snowflakes a printed silk crepe de chine piece I found on the remnant tables at Chatswood. No pattern was required – I traced out a favourite razor back tank top I’d bought – which is 61cm finished length (from base of neck) – cut the gathered part of the dress to measure double the width of the base of the top – 2 x rectangles 122.5cm wide and 38cm long.
The remnant piece wasn’t long enough to cut self bias binding, so I used a 15mm satin rayon bias binding in black. I did however have just enough to cut out a 20cm wide strip the length of the fabric 140cm – folded it in half (right sides together) stitched it around the edges leaving a small gap to bag it out…. Note: you want to end up with a finished piece that is approx 135cm x 9cm. After ironing it out flat , I made sure to press the seam back approx 1cm – I wanted a lovely folded edge particularly on the top of the frill. Then I box pleated the whole strip (making 4cm wide pleats with 1.5cm return on each side of pleat) and stitched the pleats down 1.5cm in from the edge.
I added the pleated strip around the neckline, starting it 10cm down from my shoulder seam – also lining it up to sit out 1.5cm past my finished neckline (when positioning the stitch line on the pleated frill should line up with the bottom edge of the neck binding). I pinned the pleated strip around the neckline until I come to the end of my frill piece and stitched it into place (over the first seam line). My frill finishes two-thirds around the back neck. I really like the effect and it adds a nice touch to an otherwise very simple style dress.
I hope that all made sense!!?! If I’ve confused you terribly with my instructions, feel free to let me know if you would like me to do a step by step tutorial (with pics) of the frill detail -just leave me a comment. Come to think of it I wouldn’t mind making a new top with the same neckline detail or this dress in a linen….hmmm the possibilities are endless!
Thankyou again for stopping by to check out the latest news at Tessuti and for leaving your encouraging comments throughout the last year.
Happy Sewing and Happy New Year 2010 everyone!
Colette and Lisa xxx
Sooo pretty… and it looks very comfy!
I love it! I need to file this dress away for the summer!
Hi Colette, I love this dress – if you have time, a step-by-step with pics would be fantastic! Thanks, Rachel
Happy New Year Colette!
I love your dress the frills and florals are very pretty but the style is very grownup
the fabric is beautiful!
Just beautiful!
Gorgeous!! Love the ruffle 🙂
That dress is so cute! And I love the box pleat frill detail on the neck. You're so clever!
Soooo cute!
I really love the frill. They are so in this season. A tutorial would be terrific.
Oh, clever you, whipping up this gorgeous dress without a pattern! I just might have to borrow your frill.
Gorguese dress looks confortable for 35 degree plus days like we seem to be having. I would be interested in a tutorial for the frill like
the idea of a self lined frill. I recently h had a mastectomy and am looking for a few
new ideas as a distraction in the area of the
bustline. Linen would be great. Lesley
What a fantastic design for a dress, I can see why you love it so much, I would too 🙂 Happy new year!
Hi
It looks lovely…can't wait to start sewing this cute dress.
Regards
Vidya