Sewing summer dresses in winter: my Resort Collection Part II
After the RED part of my Resort Collection, here come the WHITE dresses – never compatible with suncream but so pretty in the sun…
Sewing the V9327 dress in broderie anglaise
- Pattern: yet another version of V9357 – I have sewn this pattern so many times that I have lost count, see here, here, here for the Autumn and Spring versions; here and here for the summer versions.
- Fabric: a lightweight cotton with embroidered appliques all over, found on E-Bay (2m left here at the time of writting). This is a truly special cloth and I am thrilled to have got my hands on it!
- Size and fit: I used my previously cut pieces of pattern (size 10 with a FBA explained here) but I have lost a bit of weight due to acute food allergies… So I think the FBA is not really needed anymore sadly…. But the skirt fit is perfect.
- Changes I made to the pattern: along with the FBA, I lengthened the sleeves and cut my skirt so that the scalloped edge of the fabric would be visible.
- What I like in this pattern: I am not into 70’s style at all but for an obscure reason I absolutely adore this pattern. Easy to make, easy to wear, it works with a wide range of fabrics for a wide range of occasions. One of the best patterns ever!
- Love factor: enormous, but that’s the case of all the versions I have made of this pattern but one (wrong choice of fabric then).
Sewing the Semis dress by Delphine & Morrissette
- Pattern: this is Semis dress by Delphine and Morrissette. Although I showed you my rainbow Semis dress previously, this one is actually the first version of Semis I made. And the one that made me fall in love with this pattern!
- Fabric: a light weight cotton (with a tiny bit of polyester) from Croftmill, white with weave-in pale blue spots – 24.5m available here at the time of writting. Most people would use this fabric quality for shirts but I really like it for summer dresses, as it make them super light. I do really like this fabric
- Size and fit: I cut a size 38 based on my bust measurement and the fit was perfect. But I wanted a more adjusted silhouette than that of the pattern, which I find too large at the starting point of the skirt. So I took some fabric off from the front panels to make the dress more adjusted at the underbust point (if there is such a word) and it worked wonders.
- Changes I made to the pattern: only a fit adjustment to the bodice, nothing else.
- What I like in this pattern:The pattern is very straightforward and perfectly designed, the fit is impressively good with so few pattern pieces, and I adore the frilly straps. No dislikes at all.
- Love factor: This dress is one of my favourites from my Resort Collection.
Sewing the Primerose dress by Citronille
- Pattern: I used the adult version of Primerose by Citronille. This is initially a tunic pattern but I lengthened it and added a bottom ruffle to turn it into a dress. I made Primerose dresses for my girls when they were little (see here) but this is the first one for me.
- Fabric: An eyelet cotton fabric bought too long ago for me to remember where it comes from. There was no border to the fabric so I cut it all by hand – quite a long process.
- Size and fit: I cut the smallest size (36) but I think the 14yo of the child pattern would have worked better, as there is a lot of extra fabric everywhere. I am frankly not convinced about the fit of this dress, it seems no allowance has been made at all for an adult woman chest.
- Changes I made to the pattern: making it into a dress, adding a bottom ruffle and lining the top part of the dress with cotton lawn.
- What I like in this pattern: I like this type of neckline and struggle to find it in patterns but I am quite disappointed by the overall fit. I also think I didn’t get the dress/ruffle length proportion right.
- Love factor: I am a bit disappointed to have used such a nice fabric for a disappointing dress shape, this is not a dress I like much.
Conclusion
I really adore the first two of the dresses of this article. Part III of the Resort Collection to follow soon…
Hi, semis dress above
I don’t know if you saw my last email.
I’m interested to know how many CM
You took the dress and just so I am sure was that taken from the skirt panels OR the bodice?
I’m just unsure.
I’m a very short person and I also an 8/10 UK sizing.
Did you find the skirt gathering to full from the pattern or was it fine.
Sorry to keep asking .. hope you don’t mind grateful for any advice. Thank you. Ali 🌻
Sorry I did send an email but it probably did not go through.
The gathring was fine, for the lenght in cm just measure from below your bust to where you want the skirt to fall + sewing and heming alowance and it wil give you a measurement.