Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Palomino Dress

From PalominoDress


I've said for a long time that I want to make more dresses, but I don't actually do it, it seems. I began this project with my original plan for this fabric (from Mood LA). I was going to make a long sleeved high-necked top that I could wear under dresses, or with a cami under it since it's so sheer. I then thought it would be nice as the yoke and sleeves of Jalie 2682. I then thought maybe I should make it a dress instead of a top, by just lengthening it. I am quite pleased with the result, and am glad I made a dress of it.

As you can see, I raised the yoke/bodice seam from under the bust to above the bust, just below the armscye. This meant that the FBA I had done on the original pattern needed to be adjusted as well, with the dart pointing up to the new seam, rather than down as before. I also added the bow with streamers. A nice strong vertical line is hardly ever a bad thing. As I look at the photos now, I may make the bow part larger, which would only involve un-tacking it and pulling them out longer. Pressing the seam out after turning the piece for the bow took about as long as making the rest of the dress. The sheer part of the burnout wants to stick to itself, and I had to pin the seamline to the ironing board about every couple of inches or less, and carefully manipulate the fabric while pressing. Hooray for teflon iron shoes, as I was able to use steam on this. It was resistant to pressing flat, too.

From PalominoDress


The Brown Burnout is a knit, and the body of the dress is Slinky Knit. I didn't have much trouble putting them together, although the burnout is very light and flimsy, and the slinky is fairly heavy. I used clear elastic in all seams involving the slinky, which seemed to work well. I used a twin-needle for the hem. This project involved changing thread colors depending on which fabric I was working on at the time. I have a fairly unique zip-up jacket made of the slinky that I will have to try with it. You never know.

This dress is really comfortable, as you might expect. The burnout seems pretty fragile, but once you have it on, it's fine. I was surprised at how much coverage it gives, especially since it's double on the front bodice. I am wearing a strapless bra with it, but I think I could wear a regular one without much problem. I found I did need a half slip with the dress, otherwise if I had the skirt fitted this closely, it showed every bump, and if I had it looser, it just looked like a sack. I think I found a happy medium, and I like wearing a slip anyway. I was just afraid it might show, but it doesn't seem to.
From PalominoDress

27 comments:

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

What an absolutely stunning dress! I love all of your choices and how you made this dress your own!

Kathryn, aka fzxdoc said...

Great looking dress, Liana, and you look fab in it!

drsue said...

wow!! I LOVE it!

Gail said...

This is a clever and stylish dress. I think it would also look great with boots. I have the Jalie top pattern with the tie front. I've been thinking for a while that I need to make a dress version of it. You've confirmed this for me.

Sally said...

You look wonderful! A great choice for the fabrics.

BetsyV said...

Great dress, Liana!

BetsyV said...

Great dress, Liana!

Aminat said...

Absolutely gorgeous. You look superb , what a lovely dress

Barbara at Cat Fur Studio said...

So cool that you got those two different fabrics to sing so well together. Beautiful.

gwensews said...

Very pretty dress! You look extremely well put-together. Very nice!

KayY said...

This really works!

Ann Made Studio said...

Beautiful dress and you look amazing!

Ann said...

Gorgeous dress Lianna and it looks perfect on you.
Ann

a little sewing said...

I love your use of different fabrics- gorgeous dress!

Sheila said...

Love how you morphed the top into a dress using different fabric. You look Gorgeous!!!

sdBev said...

Oh this is lovely! I'm so glad to see you sewing and posting again. I did copy your idea for a strong vertical line (the bow with tie). I find those to be so useful for my figure.

Mardel said...

What a fabulous dress Liana! And you look gorgeous in it.

Anonymous said...

I am so impressed with this!

Anonymous said...

You look great in it!
MaryPat

Irene said...

You look fabulous (and so does the dress). You hit the mark with the fit of the skirt. It is a challenge to find just the right fit with a knit.

Pam Erny said...

Liana...what a beautiful dress! You look lovely...as usual :)

Debra Martin said...

I love the proportions. You put the horizontal line in a great place. And the vertical line adds just the right little something. The fit, colors, and fabrics have all come together to make this a head turner! "Liana the Designer"!!

Joyce in NC said...

I agree with the others - this is a great dress. I love how you made it your own. You look lovely!

Cennetta said...

Great dress. I discover Mood LA Fabrics last month. They have beautiful fabric.

Summerset said...

That is a stunning dress - and you look marvelous in it! Love the choice of two different fabrics.

Mary Beth said...

You look striking. Very eye catching and elegant with your short hair style

Sewingadicta said...

An interesting dress! It is elegant and fun at the same time, fantastic!
Love it!!