Simplicity 1810 Dress in Rayon

I made this dress pattern last spring, and at that time, I said "This design is the dress of my dreams."  It still is.  Comfortable, breathable, Florida perfection.  However, it seems that it is no longer in print because I cannot find it on the Simplicity website.  Boo hoo!  Here it is on the Pattern Review site, though, for reference.  Why, oh why, would they put this out of print so quickly.  I mean, come on, it is the perfect dress, and I haven't even gotten around to making the top yet!

We have been having the most ridiculous rainy weather for the past few weeks.  Tropical storm Colin wasn't the half of it.  Before that, we had some crazy rain and wind for days.  Anyway, what this means for you is that you get crummy indoor shots of the dress.

There are two ways to wear this dress, which I find fun.  It is a subtle difference, but fun none the less.  You can tie it in the front...

Or wrap the ties around to the back and knot them for a more streamlined look.  I always wear my other version of the dress this second way, but this fabric is more drapey, so I can see myself going with the bow from time to time.

This fabric is a woven rayon border print from JoAnn Fabrics.  I fell in love with the color, the fact that it is not polyester, and the border print.  The only change I made to accommodate the border print was to change the A-line skirt shape to a straighter shape, starting about halfway down the skirt.  This makes for a  less swingy skirt, but it doesn't interrupt the border print.

Now, before this last pic, let me state that I AM NOT PREGNANT... but as I was taking photos, I decided that this would make a great maternity pattern with little alteration.  It's roomy in the bust, a bit high waisted, and you could easily make the skirt even bigger.

Simplicity 1810 Dress in Dotted Swiss Cotton

My most recent dress is from Simplicity 1810.  This design is the dress of my dreams (my current dreams, anyway.  My dress dreams are fickle).  It is a breezy woven dress that is not too tight and uncomfortable in the Florida heat.  It breathes!

 I like the wrap-around belt detail.  It is two pieces attached in the back darts.  You can wrap it around double as I did, knotting in the back, or you can tie a bow in the front.  I had barely enough belt to get around my waist and tie.  I'd consider adding a couple of inches to each tie next time.  I'm thinking I would like the top version.  It would be very Florida-chic with linen pants.

The only change I made to the dress was at the armholes.  Originally, they were too tight, so I lowered the bottom a bit and now they are just fine - maybe a bit lower than I prefer, but my bra doesn't show.  Well, not under the arms anyway.  It's sneaking out at the back.

I broke my tri-pod today.  :-(  My 8-year-old helped me out, but he didn't want to get his feet wet, so the exposure is a bit funny with us in different light, I think.  We took these photos right after a rain shower, and  I think the screen looks quite neat with the water still clinging.

 Kindly ignore the bra strap.

 The fabric for this dress is from my local JoAnn's - a floral on cotton swiss dot.  I really like the colors of the print and the delicate flowers.  I fully lined the dress with plain white cotton.  I treated the swiss dot and lining as one when sewing the shoulder area and neckline.  The neckline is finished with a facing, and the armholes use bias tape.  Below the armholes, I finished the lining and swiss dot separately so that they hang free.

I've been playing with my new narrow hem foot for my sewing machine.  It definitely takes some practice, but I'm getting better.  This hem is only a little wonky.

Close-up of the shoulder gathers... and my Orkney birds :-)  The necklace is by Ola Gorie.  Compared to the website, my pendant looks filthy!  I also have this viking ship brooch, which I love to wear with my knit cowls and scarves.  Oh, I want to go back to Scotland.  Wait - I'm getting sidetracked...

Belt detail

In other sewing news, I just got an email from Nasir at Pennie Fabrics, the store in Sarasota I have repeatedly raved about.  He is having a sale this weekend - 25% off all fabric!?  Any local seamstresses out there, you are thus notified.  And looky what I found.  Looks like he's working on a website.  :-)