The last time that I managed to take pictures for this skirt, I also did this Lekala 5166. BUT while I was uploading them in Iphoto, something went wrong – Iphoto quit “unexpectedly” – and the pictures were GONE. Already deleted from the camera and nowhere in Iphoto. I could have cried.
2 weeks later, I’m looking for a picture for a friend and I ended up founding the pictures of the dress in the photostream of my Iphone. My friend could not have cared less because I was trying to find for him the picture that a Haitian Government official uses as a chat profile pic where he happens to be topless with 3 rottweilers (yes it’s true… and the guy well into his 50’s). Anyway, I cared more about my dress!!
If you remember, I scared you in this post deciding to use an old school Lekala Pattern, namely Lekala 5166. IT IS scary on paper but in real life it’s just a cute fitted dress! The only change I made to the pattern (made to measure with the Lekala advanced features) was to make it shorter, waaaay shorter. I also changed the seam allowances in the back on the dress and the facings to apply my favorite invisible zipper method.
There is not much more to say apart that I LOVE THIS DRESS and I already modified the pattern to make a sleeveless version out of linen (waiting to be photographed). Next time that I will make it with sleeves I want to remove maybe 1/2″ of ease in the sleeve head as it almost puckered.
The fabric was bought in Mood NYC when I went back in June. It’s from Anna Sui, it was in the silk section but I have to admit that I never saw a silk with such a weave… As you can see on the back I paid absolutely NO attention to print matching. Should I have to? I don’t think I care (which is weird because I’m usually slightly obsessive about this kind of things)!
For the construction I mostly used my 4-thread serger as I am trying to teach myself to use it more. Since you can’t really cout on the instructions here is my order of construction :
- Sew the front and back darts
- Serge shoulder seams on the dress and the facings
- Serge side seams
- Serge underarm seam and hem the sleeves.
- Set sleeve in armhole, serge the finished seam.
- Serge Center back seams separately, attach invisible zipper, sew the back seam, attach facings to zipper and sew facing to the neck of the dress.
- Hem the dress
- DONE!!
It really is a quick one and the result quite 90’s but nice and easy to wear. The dress form shots :
Did I convince you to use Lekala yet? Is print matching absolutely mandatory? But most importantly: How much 90’s is too much 90’s??
It’s gorgeous! Love the fabric and the style!
Thanks!!
Such a cute dress and it fits you really well, you’d never think the dress pattern would look as good as it does. Your fabric choice is also gorgeous 🙂
Thank you Sarah! Actually I saw a similar version on the russian website of Lekala, i don’t think i would have trusted this pattern otherwise!
Your dress looks just lovely! The fit is spot on 🙂
Thank you Carolyn!
It’s really gorgeous! I’m so pleased to have found your blog!
Thank you Sarah! I hope I will have more time soon to dedicate to this blog…
I saw this dress on Kollabora after you had added me as a friend and then managed to find in a google search when searching for shift dresses to make! Will definitely be getting this after seeing how amazing it looks on you. and for the price!
PS. – Im dominican (living in NYC) and am in no way shocked about an official using a chat pic topless with his dogs haha.. you can expect the same in DR as well
Jajaja, your comment about DR made me laugh so much. From what I see with the Dominicans coming to this side of the border I would no be surprised either if everybody and topless chat pics!
This dress is cute!! Looking forward to your posts!! Check out my blog as well! I am starting a sewing challenge.
Intotheaugustred.wordpress.com
Thanks!! I hope you succeed with your 1 garment/week challenge! I think I may have to do this but for blog posts… I have several things to show but NO time to take pictures and write… :'((
Thanks for all the useful information on Lekala Patterns, I was searching their website and thought I had better check out some reviews, and then I found this super cute dress on Pattern Review. Will start following your adventures now : )
Thanks!! I hope you will post your results!
You are very pretty, your dress is just amazing. I love your dress! I discovered you on “thread and needles” and I’m here on your blog! congratulations for this creation.