Blogging about Dressmaking and a Linen Washi Dress
Blogging about Dressmaking and a Linen Washi Dress
Now, I have to admit that I do not consider myself a dressmaker.I am, however, happy to call myself a quilter: flat finished work, square edged pieces and stable fabrics I can do but I've never really grabbed the dressmaking thing.I think it just scared me a bit... all those curves and notches and fitting issues, and then what if you try it on and you don't like it?I mean, the amount of stuff that I try on in changing rooms that I don't like is way more than the stuff that I do.
But times are changing and I am gaining the confidence, and dare I say it time, to tackle some more weighty projects, and so begin my endeavours in ‘proper’ dressmaking.From here on in I promise to make more clothes – clothes for me, not just shorts and longs for my small boys.
And with that rather long-winded introduction I give you... The Linen Washi Dress!
I actually finished this Made by Rae pattern back in May and I have to say I loved (almost) every minute of sewing it up.I had been endlessly inspired by alltheversions of this on the interweb and felt it was time to make my own.It was straightforward and I learnt so much from doing it.I did sew up a muslin of the bodice as suggested and the darts were perfect on a size medium, so I had to make no adjustments to the bodice.I took the skirt up a couple of inches as the hem was right on my knee which didn’t look great, but that was it.The fabric I used was the Linen/Cotton Blend in Periwinkle which works really well, the perfect mix of body and drape, and just enough give to make easing the armholes painless. I used some Liberty for the pockets and facings to give that pop of pattern.I have been wearing it out a bit – it’s first outing was to a quiz night in the village hall (we sure know how to live!) and I was pleasingly able to do the old ‘I made it myself’ in response to compliments.
However, I haven’t worn it quite as much as I would like.The cut out neckline looks really pretty, but I favour a more sporty style of boob support and this cuts right across the U meaning I have to dig out a less comfortable bra which quite frankly doesn’t fit like it used to.I am working on a blouse version of the Washi in Lizzy House Supernova that is without the U, so I will let you know how I get on.
Footnote: In writing this post I am realising that blogging about making clothes for yourself is not just about the sewing.It is quite a bit more personal than that.For a start you have to show your actual self in pictures (quite a hurdle for someone who is a bit of a hider!), and then you have to discuss topics such as fit, and subsequently your shape, and even your underwear.Suddenly I find myself talking about my underwear on the world wide web.