For many, the Melbourne Cup is a day to dress up in your finest frock and sip champagne whilst watching a televised horse race. I had no plans for the Melbourne Cup this year, but it was my first "free" day in a while, so I thought I would spend it making a frock whilst everyone else wore theirs. Then yesterday, I got a last minute invite to lunch. I was kinda attached to the idea of sewing this dress, so I started it last night and finished it this morning (well, almost, the facings still need to be stitched down), and was only 20 minutes late for lunch.
The fabric: A very fine, floaty cotton from Gardams, in Brisbane.
The pattern: Originally I had planned to make this fabric into a tunic-style dress with long sleeves, but I decided that the print was a bit too bold for that much coverage. Prints are always a bit tricky, so I flicked through some old Vogue magazines for inspiration and found a simple style by Dries Van Noten, in his SS2007 collection. He uses the most gorgeous prints in his collections, to great effect. I drafted the pattern myself, though I think that there are similar styles in the pattern books. His model wears the dress below her knees. Mine is not that long, but I have a very deep hem, so I could lengthen it easily. Mostly I will wear this dress a summer every-day dress.
I have a close-up of the strap detail below. It is actually a double strap, with the green strap cut on the bias, only because I patching together scraps to get enough fabric.
9 comments:
Pretty dress. I like your fabric. I hope your horse placed in the race. Me, I didn't even watch. Too busy sewing :) plus I had a housefull of kids because of the public holiday.
Very cute dress. It has a definite summer feel :-)
Very fun and tropical. Looks great with the shoes too! I finished a dress today too. I don't quite know what I think of it yet.
Very pretty. I love your fabric choice and the double strap details.
That is a great way to use a large print. I have been eyeing off that fabric at Gardams and was wondering how it could be used. Good tip... thanks! Your dress is really cute and I hope you enjoyed your lunch. I had to work this year but totally think I need to do the ladies lunch next year!
How summer looking: lovely dress (getting a cold feeling only looking at it now, it was a very cold day here).
Ooooh gorgeous dress Katherine.I love the print, colours and the strap detailing and doesn't it go back perfectly with your new shoes?
great look. hope you had a lovely lunch.
x
Fabulous cotton. This dress would have been perfect in yesterday's heat.
It looks great and how satisfying to be able to whip it up just in time. It shows off your fantastic pins - the envy of women the world over.
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