Simple And Classy Dress With Removable Bow

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Hi there. Today's post is about a simple and classy dress with a removable bow. I made this dress last week for the annual dinner at my husband's work.  I remembered I had two yards of cotton blend fabric with elastane in my stash, so I didn't need to buy new fabric.  For the design, I chose a simple dress with a little bit of something like a bow or a flower. And in the end, I chose a silk bow. For the pattern, I used my self-drafted dress with long sleeves. At first, I was making a midi length but cut it below my knee. The sewing process was fast because of the simple design, I did it in two days.  The process started in a usual manner, I sewed the darts, sewed the invisible zipper, sewed the front and back dress together, attached the sleeves, etc. I tried on the dress and found out the neckline was a bit gaping and the dress was too loose and too long. So, I reduced the shoulder line by 1 cm on both sides before attaching the facing.
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Magam June Part 1 : Pleated Hem Batik Dress

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Hi everyone...
I mentioned in my facebook post that I will be making four garments for June Magam with theme " Stashbuster" and here is my first garment,


I was planning to make the dress with a hole at neckline and pleated hem but the hole didn't turn out well. So I have to cover the hole with a bib and sew eight buttons for accessory. I will explain more about the unsuccessful hole in the below post.

Materials:
I bought this batik in Kuta - Bali almost two years ago. The fabric already cut in a big rectangle with 1.8 yards long finished with rolled hemmed in both sides. I think the fabric is ready for beach cover or even tablecloth :)
The reason why I bought it because the length is enough to make a simple dress and the print is so beautiful. I especially love both end of the fabrics,
Beside the fabric, I also need invisible zipper, fusible tape, 9 small buttons, elastic for button loop, fusible interfacing, 1/2'' self-made bias tape from same fabric and thread

Pattern:
BurdaStyle Jamie Shift Dress size 34 modified with pleated hem.
I cut the dress bodice 62 cm long and pleated hem 109 cm wide x 19 cm long, I added 1.5 cm seam allowances in all edges.
The neckline finished with bias tape sewn in the wrong side and added a bib in center front with eight buttons.
The back dress finished with invisible zipper and small button and loop closer.

The picture below shows my plan that didn't turn out well. I supposed to make a hole at the front neckline as shown in my flat sketch but I cut the hole a little bit big with the shape of triangle. The final result is not nice, the hole didn't laid flat and looks strange to me :(
Then I made a quick decision, I cover the hole with the same fabric. Problem solved!

You can see that the hole is a little bit big. Too bad! I think I should reduced 1 cm in all edges and make key hole, not triangle.

To cover the hole, I cut the fabric and fusible interfacing 40 cm long and 10 cm wide with 1 cm seam allowances in all edges. Fused the fusible in the wrong side of the fabric and folded the fabric wrong sides together.
Placed the fabric ( I called bib) in the center front with folded line at the neckline. Pin and basted the bib as shown in the picture below.
 Then sew along the edges 1/2 cm. Removed the basting. Press with iron
 And here is the wrong side of the bib. Looks awful but what can I do :)
After that, I sew eight buttons on the bib. As shown in the picture. The buttons are small printed with green gingham, so cute.
 I also sew the button and loop closer on the top of the zipper. I hope you can see it

For the pleated hem. I cut two pieces of the fabric 109 cm long and 19 cm wide, added 1.5 cm seam allowances.
I sew the two pieces right sides together. Sew the raw edges using an overlocker sewing machine.
Pleated along the hem 1 cm in each pleat and pin. It consumed time to did that but the result is lovely :)
Then sew the pleats. Sew the raw edge using an overlocker sewing machine. Sew the hem 1 cm hem allowance. Press the pleats down to hem with iron.
 Here are the finished pleats and hem. Right and wrong sides


And the last two pictures of the dress in the hanger. Front and back views


This dress is my fifth version of Jamie Shift Dress, here are my previous dresses based on the same pattern.
First version, Color Block Dress
Second version, Polka Dots Dress
Third version, Floral Shift Dress
Forth version, Vintage Modern Batik Dress

Happy sewing!

Comments

  1. Sue @ A Colourful CanvasJune 26, 2015 at 12:33 AM

    Woo Hoo! Good Save Hana! Impressive that you were able to totally match the pattern! {From the photo, the triangle cut out looks lovely too, but probably just not a flattering placement for your small frame?} The really star is the pleated skirt portion!!! I love this feature and how you utilized the print!

    I was able to zoom in and appreciate the gingham buttons too! It was fun looking at the previous versions...shows us all how versatile a simple sheath dress pattern can be. Of course, the polka dot one is my favourite!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @velvetribbon_sewsJune 26, 2015 at 9:31 AM

      Thank you sweet lady. I think the hole should be smaller and thinner. I will try to make muslin to see the result :)

      Delete
  2. LovenickyJune 26, 2015 at 1:12 AM

    I love the fabric and how you show off the prints with the pleated hem. So awesome! I thought the cut out looked fine. But you obviously know what you like. Such a fun and feminine dress!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJune 26, 2015 at 5:18 AM

    What a great job you have done. The pleating is very professional looking. I like seeing all the different versions you have made of this dress. It shows how versatile a well fitted pattern can be. I don't have a favourite they all look lovely on you and so different from each other.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @velvetribbon_sewsJune 26, 2015 at 9:36 AM

      Thank you, Tracy :) I think the pattern is flattering for petite figure. So simple and easy to modified but too bad that it doesn't come with sleeves.

      Delete
  4. MargoJune 26, 2015 at 6:54 AM

    Cute dress Hana! I really like the cutout. But I can see how it may have been a bit too bit for you. The pleated skirt is great and such a perfect way to use the fabric print!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @velvetribbon_sewsJune 26, 2015 at 9:39 AM

      Thank you dear. Well, I will be making a test for the hole and hope I can get the right shape and size :)

      Delete
  5. FröbelinaJune 26, 2015 at 2:28 PM

    Beautiful that dress! I'm impressed with how you saved it! This bib totally looks like you've done that on purpose! I also like the fabric a lot! Great job :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @velvetribbon_sewsJune 26, 2015 at 7:48 PM

      Thank you, Katharina. I love the fabric too very much :)

      Delete
  6. LisaJune 26, 2015 at 9:04 PM

    Beautiful dress! I especially like the way you used the fabric print in the pleating. The pleats are gorgeous! Those along with your button detail, take this dress from 'ordinary' to 'special'. Lovely! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sarah LizJune 27, 2015 at 3:01 PM

    I agree with you, the ends of the fabric are so lovely - and your pleating technique really works with this. I also think the little bib is an improvement - it goes with the lines of the dress more - I think the triangle just fought the pattern and the shape of the dress. The rectangle shape of the bib goes with the rectangle shift shape and the rectangle pleated strip. Very lovely :)

    And you are going to have a very busy June stashbusting - are you also in Pattern Review's stashbuster?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @velvetribbon_sewsJune 29, 2015 at 11:40 PM

      Hi Sarah Liz, thank you. The triangle wasn't work and I am trying to make another version with smaller size. I have been busy with stashbusting and hurry up to complete all of the garments :)

      I am not in Pattern Review, maybe I will take a look later :)

      Delete
  8. Sew, Jean MargaretJune 27, 2015 at 8:02 PM

    Lovely dress. I love the pleating detail. The bib looks good too and was a very creative save.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The Winter~QueenJune 28, 2015 at 5:53 PM

    Pity the keyhole didn't work, as it was a nice feature, but you pulled it back so well. what a great save! And that pleated hem... wow I love it! Beautiful dress Hana :)x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @velvetribbon_sewsJune 29, 2015 at 11:43 PM

      Thank you, Dawn. It was a mistake about the keyhole, lesson learned :)

      Delete
  10. PaisleyPirouetteJune 29, 2015 at 12:21 AM

    This is a really nice dress! I love how you used the border print and sewing the cute little buttons totally saved the thing. It looks like intention and a design feature! Have a nice day, SaSa

    ReplyDelete
  11. CarolynJuly 2, 2015 at 7:05 PM

    Your dress is really nice! I love how you used the border print. It looks both smart and also pretty for casual wear too :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. CraftsandLeavesJuly 12, 2015 at 5:25 AM

    Lovely dress! I love the pattern. It's always such a relief if you manage to save a piece successfully! And with the green print you chose a beautiful fabric. I hope you enjoy wearing it and that it feels as cool as it looks.

    ReplyDelete

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