My Citron Lacey Drawstring Dress

These days most of my sewing time is taken up with sewing samples for our Tessuti pattern range so time is suddenly very limited! I’ve wanted to sew something up in our stunning Citron Lacey 100% silk crepe de chine for quite some time but the only thing holding me back was a bit of free time and of course the right style that would show off the print perfectly with very little fuss to the design.

 When I saw sisters Lily and Ruby in their stunning dresses the penny dropped. The only aspect I umm-ed and ah-ed over was whether to place the lace print panel down centre front/back or across the body. The fullness of the dress (the width at the finished hem is 150cm) meant my only option was to cut my drawstring dress pattern running down from selvedge to selvedge, utilising the full 140cm width for my length instead.  I’m thrilled with the effect of the lace panel around the body, I think it suits this gathered style best and I get double the amount of bright citrus yellow featured on my dress!

As Ruby had done on her dress, I cut 2 strips across the width of the fabric (in this case 2.5cm x 140cm wide) which I joined together in the middle, to create one very long (13mm finished width) strap tie that’s threaded through the front/back neckline tunnel casing, and tied in a loose bow down centre back.

Fuss free, and a quick and easy sew that shows off a stunning silk print to the max.
Note: For a similar pattern try McCalls 6115, but instead of cutting the back piece on the fold, add a centre back seam with keyhole opening and tie your strap bow down the back. Of course you can wear this style up closer to your neck or lower down as the McCalls pattern shows – however you prefer.