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To make my striped gathered summer sundress, I used a grey and white striped cotton from Fabricland.
I made size 44, which corresponded with my waist and upper bust measurements. However, I had did an FBA for the bodice, and increased each side by 2″. This was my first time doing FBA on princess seams, and I used the instructions on this By Hand London page. The pictures aren’t that great but the instructions are good. To do the princess seam FBA, I used the By Hand London FBA tutorial because it had the extra step of decreasing the waist seam by the amount added during the FBA; other tutorials omitted this, which would have resulted in the waist being too large. Somehow, the front bodice is a bit long and the waistband seam isn’t completely horizontal. I didn’t bother fixing it (yet), but I would definitely adjust this next time.
I wanted to this dress i found on Pinterest a while ago:
Then Joanna, who we follow on instagram, put up a post planning to copy the same dress using this free pattern from Peppermint Magazine. And I am now shamelessly copying her idea.
So here is my finished dress!
I had trouble deciding which striped fabric to use. Eventually, I went with a fabric that had equal sized stripes instead of large and irregular stripes so i could copy my inspiration dress. I thought it would be easier to match the stripes, and for the dress to copy the original one I had pinned. The fabric I used is a white and grey striped cotton from Fabricland that I had bought last year. It is lightweight and flowy. I lined the bodice with a white cotton voile. I debated whether or not to line the skirt as well, since the striped fabric is just slightly sheer, but I decided I was too lazy. Although the directions did not specify, I understitched the bodice neckline and armscyes as best I could.
For the stripe placement, I wanted the middle front bodice and back bodice to have vertical stripes. For the bodice sides on both front and back, I wanted diagonal stripes. Since I cut these on the bias, I staystitched the edges to prevent excess stretching. I also did my best to match these with the front bodice vertical stripes. The inspiration dress didn’t have a waistband, but the free pattern I used did. So I went with horizontal stripes. This reflected the horizontal strips on the hem.
It was easy to plan vertical stripes for the skirt, and I did my best to match the stripes for the pockets.
Since the skirt has a straight hem, it was easy to add the bottom band in horizontal stripes. I cut off about 15 cm from the skirt front and back pattern and used that as the band. After cutting out the pieces, I sewed them back onto the skirt front and back and proceeded as usual. With this extra seam, the dress turned out shorter than the pattern originally called for, but I like the length.
I used the gathered summer sundress pattern pockets because the inspiration dress pockets were too open and saggy. Although the pattern didn’t call for it, I still want to add a row of nonfunctional buttons to the centre front bodice.
I inserted a navy blue invisible side zip with no issues. This was just the second time I’ve sewn with an invisible zipper, but with the special foot, it was easy! I basted the zipper in by hand before sewing it in to make sure it aligned nicely.
Overall, I am overjoyed with my gathered summer sundress and can’t wait to wear it this summer! The pattern instructions were clear and easy to follow, amazing for a free pattern! They also clearly noted what the seam allowances were at each seam. Peppermint Magazine has several other free sewing patterns on their website. Check out the free dress pattern, and the rest of the sewing patterns here!
This is a beautiful handmade dress! I would like to have that skill and make some of the clothes I am inspired with on my own. This is pretty amazing! Love how you paired it with your sun hat and blue shoes. I really am impressed! Great job!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
oh my goodness, this is so cute!
When I was growing up Mom made almost all of our clothes (except for jeans and shirts). You dress turned out really cute. I have to be honest, since I retired I have quit wearing dresses and skirts. Jeans are my go-to outfit and I love it.
There seem to be some good jeans sewing patterns out; I would love to make my own jeans eventually!
You look lovely! I love that dress!
What a CUTE dress!! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Your dress turned out lovely. I love the material too. Thanks for sharing it at the Inspiration spotlight party. Pinned & sharing.
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This is such a cute dress and it fits you so perfectly! Do you still wear it and love to wear it?
Thank you! I still love it but I haven’t worn it for the last 2 summers because it’s not breastfeeding-friendly. Hopefully next year! And maybe I’ll even make another lol
Great review and really helpful for your notes about FBA. I’m going to try this as you’ve described as I think I’m about your shape. Looks really cute and love your fabric style.
Thank you so much! It was a great pattern for me, and I love how FBAs can just make everything fit so well 🙂