Thursday, January 3, 2013

Butterick 4443: Summer voile dress


 

Its starting to get really hot here and I love a cool cotton dress in the hot weather. I made this pattern last year and really liked it, very comfortable to wear, but this time I wanted a cooler fabric and for it to be shorter.
The fabric is a cotton voile from Spotlight, its vaguely see through so I lined the bodice in a stretch poplin but left the skirt in a single layer. I'll be wearing this around home or as a swimsuit coverup so it doesn't worry me if its a little bit thin.


Same adjustments as last time; size 20 with a 1" FBA and about 4-5" added to the back for shirring


With the shirring,  I don't think I've mentioned it but I always run a 6mm elastic through the very top row to stop it from gaping (I picked it up from a RTW dress I had). I also ran some elastic through the bottom row as well as it was a bit loose when I tried it on.


It was perfect to wear today down at the swimming lake, nice and cool in the heat wave we're having this week and easy to take on and off over bathers!
Posted by at
Labels: , , ,

16 comments:

  1. JudithJanuary 3, 2013 at 7:09 PM

    Beautiful summery fabric - just perfect for what you want at this time of year. I think you were right in only lining the bodice, and this length is just right on you...J

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuzyJanuary 4, 2013 at 5:46 PM

      Thanks Judith! It's been scorching here this last week so anything cool to wear is good!

      Delete
  2. BeaJayJanuary 3, 2013 at 9:45 PM

    A lovely dress - great fabric - just what is needed for summer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuzyJanuary 4, 2013 at 5:47 PM

      Thanks Beajay, the fabric was a bit of a surprise, I don't normally wear much white but its nice in this heat!

      Delete
  3. prttynpnkJanuary 3, 2013 at 10:12 PM

    Strapless terrifies me- but that elastic tip might change all that. You look adorable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuzyJanuary 4, 2013 at 5:48 PM

      It's gotto be really really hot for me to wear strapless, especially because I refuse to wear a strapless bra so I look a bit feral with my bra straps showing, lol. But it's been 44 degrees (110 Fahrenheit) today so I don't care as long as I'm cool!

      Delete
  4. JuliNJanuary 4, 2013 at 1:34 AM

    Your dress looks perfect for the beach!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)January 4, 2013 at 1:39 AM

    Thanks for the tips on how to prevent the gapping when making the elasticized back. This is a wonderful summer dress!

    ReplyDelete
  6. House of PinheiroJanuary 4, 2013 at 4:41 AM

    So jealous of your day on the beach. Loved the summer dress

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuzyJanuary 4, 2013 at 5:50 PM

      Thanks, it was beautiful down at the beach, we didn't want to leave!

      Delete
  7. AmandaJanuary 4, 2013 at 8:07 AM

    This is rad! Love the fit, love the print and love the shirring! I need to get on that wagon STAT!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuzyJanuary 4, 2013 at 5:51 PM

      Shirring is so easy to do and it makes wovens so comfy to wear, give it a go!!

      Delete
  8. Chris LucasJanuary 4, 2013 at 3:12 PM

    I love this fabric and the colours... what a great fit and it looks like a perfect summer dress. Thanks for the shirring tip as well :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SuzyJanuary 4, 2013 at 5:53 PM

      Thank you! It's comfy and cool to wear which is great in the hot weather!

      Delete
  9. UnknownJanuary 24, 2013 at 10:11 PM

    Love that Summer dress ! Do you make aprons as well?

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)