by Claudine Gauvin Diving into the colorful displays at Fabricville, my eyes were immediately drawn to the most vibrant fabric. Opting for a bold pattern can sometimes be a challenge, but this one charmed me from the get-go with its brushstroke-like features. Known for my love of vibrant colors, I always seize the opportunity to incorporate dazzling shades into my creations or accessories. This fabric, with its black background enhanced by touches of white, blue, fuchsia, and orange, perfectly embodies the dynamic spirit that I adore.
Named Printed Linen Look – Carol, this fabric proved to be the perfect ally for my project. Its ease of sewing and perfect balance between lightness and structure make it the ideal companion for creating a flowing ankle-length dress or even a beach cover-up. The only drawback is its tendency to fray easily, but with careful finishing on the serger, this is just a minor detail compared to its numerous advantages.
I had this shirt-style dress pattern, Simplicity #S9260, in my stash for three years already. The use of patterns from this brand is rather rare for me, as they were not available in Canada for a long time. However, I am delighted to see that they are now back at Fabricville. Their designs are well-made, the instructions clear, and they constantly enrich their collection with new models.
Therefore, for my third spring project, I chose to make Model A: a sleeveless ankle-length dress with a mandarin collar. I also added pockets in the side seams for convenience.
This time, I decided to play it safe. Before cutting the fabric for my project, I took the time to cut and assemble the main pieces in a lower-quality polyester that I had in stock. This step allowed me to check the fit and overall look of the garment.
In the end, I made a few minor adjustments, mainly by reducing the armhole opening and increasing the seam allowances at the shoulders and bust to avoid any excess fabric in the upper part of the garment.
Making this dress is not particularly difficult. It just requires taking your time for each step, especially when applying bias tape and topstitching the armholes, making the ten buttonholes, and attaching the buttons.
For added firmness, I added fusible interfacing to the collar and button plackets. This is a detail not to be overlooked to achieve a quality result. I opted for black buttons, but I must admit that silver buttons would also have been very elegant.
In conclusion, I am convinced that this dress pattern suits all body types. I appreciate its straight and fitted cut at the upper body level as well as its generous length. Its versatility is a real asset: whether for a day at work, a restaurant outing, or even a beach getaway, it will be a great ally. I can style it in multiple ways and give it various looks. Just unbuttoning the collar or adding a belt can give it a whole new charm. It will adapt perfectly to different occasions, transitioning effortlessly from day to evening with a simple change of shoes and the addition of accessories. Easy to slip on, comfortable to wear, this dress promises to be a must-have in my wardrobe for this summer.
