Here it is! My dress entry for the #SewTallandCreative2017 competition hosted by MARGE Clothing and Tall Guides.
Before we talk about the dress, I'd just like to say that I truly feel honoured to be selected to take part. Yes, that sounds a bit like an Academy Awards speech, except that I really mean it. Being part of this challenge tested my design and sewing skills. It encouraged me to work with fabrics I wasn't as comfortable sewing and to make and design a dress which made the most of the quantity of fabric provided. Although I had periods of indecision, worry and second guessing myself on the whole I loved the entire experience. More importantly I LOVE my dress! I love the weight of the fabrics, I love the way it swishes when I walk (you can't help but add a little swagger!!) and I love how I feel wearing it. And isn't that what Tall Guides and MARGE is all about? Feeling confident and beautiful in our tall bodies?!
So without further ado, here is my dress! The challenge required we use 2 fabrics generously gifted by MARGE. All MARGE fabrics are ethically made in Europe & USA. To make the most of the divine fabrics I made my dress reversible. Two dresses in one! The dress pulls on over my head and doesn't have a zip or buttons. I based my design on the Sweet Summertime Dress by Sew To Grow. I've made this dress before, so knew the bodice fit. I did modify the skirt of the dress by making it fuller and longer and making the front pleats bigger. I added pleats to the back of the skirt for extra fullness & swish. I made the hem of the skirt longer in the back so you could see the underneath fabric better, this also gives more swish when you walk. With the gorgeous drape of these fabrics, I was all about the swish factor!
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| I love the how you can see the silk layer underneath as the dress moves! Please ignore the patch on my arm; it's for pain medication. |
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| As I move the silk shows at the hem which adds such a pretty detail. |
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| The weight of these fabrics make the dress SO swishy! |
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| Just look at the movement in that skirt & the way the satin shines! |
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| Swish! |
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| Due to fabric restrictions I had to put a seam in the back of the silk layer, but the movement wasn't effected. |
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| Just look at that movement! |
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| I'm so pleased I opened the front of the silk layer to show the gorgeous satin underneath. |
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| I added a little tie belt to tie in (pun only a little bit intended) the satin trim around the neck & sleeves. |
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| I love the way this dress hangs and feels! |
So there it is! My entry for #SewTallandCreative2017
I'm very proud of it!
Please check out the other fabulous ladies:
Beth at www.sewdiy.com
Janet at www.diywardrobe.co.uk
Tiffany at www.prettytallsewnsew.com
Thank you for following my progress in this challenge! xox Allison
Bravo Allison! What a beautiful creation. I feel like reversible pieces can be tricky sometimes but this piece looks just as gorgeous both ways. I also love lots of swish and can tell this dress delivers on that front. It's great that you made the hem a bit longer in the back so that you get a peek of the dotted fabric when you are wearing it on the all-pink side. I would totally buy this dress!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is really so cool and fabulous entry that you have made for the competition. I especially liked the idea of using it single and with the top coat so its kind of a dual purpose dress.
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