Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Washi Dress ++ Fleet and Flourish

As part of Made by Me May and for the May Aurifil Artisan Challenge, I decided myself to make a garment.  As most of you know, I am a garment novice, preferring to stick to the mostly straight lines and two dimensions of quilt making.

I actually made a Washi dress back in 2013 (yes, 7 years ago!) using some cheap fabric I got from JoAnn's as a wearable muslin.  I have actually gotten a lot of wears out of my old dress, so I figured that it might be time to revisit the pattern and make a new one.

I had originally gotten this Fleet and Flourish print by Maureen Cracknell for Art Gallery Prints for a quilt backing, but I loved the design so much and the fabric felt so soft and light that I kept it because I knew that I eventually wanted to make a dress or shirt out of it.  (I was able to find the print still available on Etsy right here and on Amazon here.)

Here is my Washi Dress:



I made a few alterations to the pattern this time around.  I lengthened the torso portion of the pattern by 2 inches because in the first version, the waist seam was actually located on my bust.  I also lengthened the dress by just a couple of inches so it would hit me at my knee.

It is starting to get hot here in South Carolina so I opted for a sleeveless version, which also had the benefit of making the sewing go that much quicker.

I had a great time sewing up this dress, the inside is not pretty but the seams are finished so it won't fall apart in the wash :)

And just to revisit 2013, here my younger self in my original Washi...



Have you made any garments this May?





10 comments:

  1. I started my sewing career doing lots of garments: suits for hubby and me, children's clothing and costumes, skirts, shirts, etc. But once I started quilting about ten years ago I left garments behind. However, even as I say that, I am reminded that I picked up some very soft rayon and a nice pattern awhile ago to make myself a dress, and I should make it this summer!

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  2. Lovely! That fabric is so pretty!

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  3. Great hot weather dress. Love the original as well. June is the month I want to sew a garment. Liz in Houston

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  4. It is such a flattering dress on you, Cheryl, and the print makes a beautiful garment!

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  5. It looks great. I made a Washi dress, but it wasn't a great success. But I see there is an updated version being released. The print you used is awesome.

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  6. I have made a number of garments over the year. I enjoy all kinds of sewing. For the month of May tho, besides a quilt, I am involved in making some doll clothes and a doll wrap for my granddaughter's baby doll.

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  7. Beautiful! And no, I have not made any garments :) Stay well, xo Melanie

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  8. Garments and I do not get along! It's skillset I wish I had but my attempts have been pretty much utter failures. Love your dress! And the fabric is fabulous!

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  9. Cute as can be, Cheryl! And so are you! I haven’t made a garment in 15 years, but once upon a time, I made lots of my clothes, and when Kirsten was small, lots of hers, too. I’m not very good altering a pattern, though, and eventually gave up trying.

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  10. Nice alterations! It looks great and you did a fabulous job. I don't make garments much but I do have a lobster embroidered blue/white summer blouse that I have intended to make for two years...not the May but maybe June or July.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!