Last month my kids were in a day camp and I had a little time to sew. It was thrilling as not much sewing has been happening this summer. My creativity tends to shift when my kids are home on summer break and we do more crafting together. Also, after long summer days there isn’t always a lot of energy leftover to sew. That’s ok, I know I will have more time in the fall and I want to enjoy the days with my kids. I’m a little stingy with their free time and although we see friends, I love to whisk them away on a beach adventure or a museum or even the local pool, just them and me. It won’t always be this way and so I love to be with them as much as possible.
Washi dress by Rae Hoekstra of MadeByRae
As for the sewing, I decided to make a Washi dress. I have not had a great relationship with this dress in the past. It had seemed that the Washi dress looked good on EVERYONE but me. The various versions I’d made in the last two years just didn’t look right. The pattern is very well written and I love the cute little cap sleeves and the neckline but the bodice always seemed to end right below my bust and I looked pregnant. And I was not pregnant. I figured out that I should lengthen the bodice front piece (duh) and did that but the fit still wasn’t right. Then someone mentioned to me that I also needed to lengthen the back in the same place where I lengthened the front. I hadn’t thought of that and I decided this is the last time I would try. In my stash I found some lightweight linen, called Telio Umbria Linen in blue stripe, that I purchased at Fabric.com a little while ago. Being crazy like I am, I took a risk and did NOT sew a muslin and just went for it. I’m so glad I did.
Guess what? I love this Washi dress! The fit is perfect and the gathers are much lower and around my waist. I cut a size large in the top front piece and a large back piece and a medium for the front skirt. I moved the back elastic ruching down about 1.5″. The fabric is lightweight and I am quite happy with how it turned out. I also made a little flower tag for the back neckline.
On another exciting note, I recently tested a not-yet-released pattern for SewHouse7. I love Peggy’s style and am excited for this pattern to be released. (Then I can show you!) Have you ever sewn with these patterns? I have made the Mississippi Avenue dress (see here, photo 7) and really liked it.
Did you know that September is National Sewing Month? I’m already starting to think of fall clothing. I’ve just cut out some beautiful rayon for the Women’s Tunic from Anna Graham’s book ‘Handmade Style’. She has a wonderful sew-along on the Noodlehead blog for this pattern. I’ve also got my eye on the Archer pattern by Grainline Studio and I recently picked up McCall’s pattern 7380. I love View B. Have you sewn or created anything new? Tell me what you’ve made, I’d love to hear about it!
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