The Lime Juice Dress got made. I ended up using the shift pattern in the newest Built By Wendy Book, Dresses, 'cause I had it in my hands (an early review copy) and it was near identical to the pattern I was going to use anyway. It's a great pattern. I added a ruffle collar with a non-functional bow. The ruffle edges are sergered with a rolled hem. The bust darts are a bit, um, perky—so next time I will adjust even more there. As long as I have my energetic bra on, we are good to go.
Here are the shots from the Anthropologie catalog. I had to get the belt. HAD TO. l think it's what I liked best about the dress besides the color. I did try on the actual dress in the store and it was lovely, but the longer collar was hard to wear over/under a cardigan. And it was $138.
My fabric is a bit more on the acid green side. I couldn't find the perfect green, so I opted to go more acid than more subdued. This was crazy fun. I don't think I have ever really copied something so faithfully (even though slightly different) because I either get lazy, distracted, or it just morphs into something else. Keeping it true to want I wanted to copy made the decision making process nice and simple.
Some stats:
- The fabric is a lovely cotton/silk blend (here locally at fabric depot) and at $13.99 a yard, 40% off, the dress ended up costing me under $17 to sew. I bought 1 1/2 yards.
- It's unlined. I wear a silk slip with it, and that works fine. There is no closure in the back, I pull it over my head. It's debatable if this is a good idea, next time I will at least add a little button in the back and a slit. So often I add zippers and closures and end up not needing them, I decided to not use one for this dress. I just need to really watch the lipstick.
- Next time, when using this fabric blend (I fell in love with it when I sewed my tap pants) I will keep the shiny side in and use the wrong side out. Wendy actually suggests this in her new book, and it's a great way to use silk without the shine. I like it as it is, but it feels ever so slightly like I am headed off to a semi-formal. Plus the shiny side shows so many creases and wrinkles.
- Now, I bought 1 1/2 yards, but this is because I knew I could fit (barely) the pattern pieces side-by-side—really reducing a standard seam allowance. So, that 1 1 /2 yard is a total moving target depending on the fabric width and pattern size needed.
Okay, now time to put it away until summer. Why do I do this? I am cold just looking at myself here. But, oh well. I actually think I could layer this like crazy with long sleeves underneath and leggings and then a warm sweater. I just sewed some wool jersey leggings and now have crazy notions involving more wool jersey.
I have a review coming of Wendy's new book and an interview with her next week. Woot! Much to discuss!!
