I made this dress a couple of weekends ago when I realized that I don't really have any "kickin around in" clothes. I love my clothes to death but I'm not going to pretend that some mornings when I get up I don't hate the idea of putting something structured and restrictive on.
Casual clothes aren’t really my forte and jersey has often eluded me, much like Karen, who recently posted about it at Did you Make that? Yet here we are! And I’m most surprised!
It all came about when I was clearing out my fabric corner. I was going through some off cuts that I had picked up from work and I came across a small piece of white double knit Ponte. It was thick, luxurious, soft and stretchy. I knew it would fill that hole in my wardrobe that simply demanded something warm and comfy (considering its quite cold outside!). Sadly the piece was not quite 1 meter, so I teamed it with some light denim chambray that a friend gave me.
Because the fabrics I used were so simple, I needed to add some interest with the pattern. I went with Simplicty 4168 as I really loved the soft delicate cowl and the French darts.
As you may already know, I go weak at the knees for elbow darts - and this dress has them!
The skirt was merely a rectangle that I pleated onto the bodice. I used the selvedge edge as a hem. I was going to hem it initially, but I decided upon further inspection that I actually like the slightly frayed (yet controlled) rustic look it gave and left it. Plus, it matched the un-hemmed sleeves!
I have just about lived in this dress since its creation. It’s been through the wash and tumble dryer a couple times and not changed a bit. What a pleasure it is to have a dress that doesn’t need to be hand washed and dried flat!
I think perhaps I am now a jersey convert (for the thicker, non clingy stuff). But I’m sure there is loads I need to learn before delving in.
M x
