01 Aug New Look 6372
My husband and I have always been awed by the 7:15 am sun at the beach ~ so soft and scattered by the rooflines of homes as it rises, gently illuminating the water and sand. We thought this time would be perfect for shooting photos of my new dress, but were quickly reminded that best laid plans often go awry…………..
This is my third maxi in the last three months; one in linen, one in a knit and this one in Mood Fabric’s Grenadine Silk Crepe de Chine!
Earlier I ordered and reluctantly used this gorgeous silk for a dress lining. I thought the fabric could be put to better use, but the lovely silk transformed the dress from ordinary to extraordinary.
My love for this richly saturated crepe de chine led me to order three more yards, and alas, I have a dress from this beautiful fabric using New Look 6372.
Following Linda Lee’s advice from her Sewing with Silks: The Liberty Shirt Craftsy Course, I pre-washed the silk with mild detergent in the washing machine. I admit the thought of this procedure is unnerving, and I tried out the remains from the lining which I did not pre-wash for the dry clean only dress before following through.
Pre-washing the silk not only ensures for successful spot cleaning, but makes the fabric easier to sew by removing a finish from the fabric that creates a slick surface. The color was unaffected.
One would think an unfitted halter type pattern with a gathered elastic back and labeled as easy would be a breeze to fit, right?
I almost cut a size smaller, but in the muslin below notice that it is actually too small in the bust, too low in the neck, too tight across the front and lacking in coverage!
Fortunately the pattern was an easy fix with a full bust adjustment, shortening the chain and adding one inch from the top of the underarm to the top of the bodice for better coverage.
I’m so pleased with the dress, but not so pleased with the photos. The gentle breezes were replaced by wind,
so we left the beach with its beautiful light only to find glaring sun,
or uninspired scenery without the wind, and light perfect for showing off my farmer’s tan.
I intended the dress to serve as resort wear for which it is perfect……..
…… as long as I’m by a pool and not the ocean!
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Book Update!
I just learned today that Amazon has installed the “Look Inside” button on The Tunic Bible page. If you’d like a closer look at photos and text go here and click on “Look Inside” 😉
Until soon 🙂
Jan Rowe
Posted at 01:17h, 01 AugustFabulous!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:32h, 02 AugustThank you, Jan 🙂 !!
Suzanne Landau
Posted at 01:36h, 01 AugustBeautiful dress and stunning fabric. However I think the neckline should be an inch or 2 lower like it is in the muslin. You have a great figure so you can get away with it. Where did you get the chain? It’s fabulous!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:33h, 02 AugustThank you, Suzanne 😉 The chain came from JoAnn’s and is easy to adjust.
Michele Brunskill
Posted at 06:51h, 01 AugustBeautiful dress!! What a wonderful make, so elegant and flows. Cheers, Michele
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:34h, 02 AugustThank you so much, Michele 😉
Loretta Somerville
Posted at 07:16h, 01 AugustWow! What a stunning resort dress! As petite as you are I have to wonder what the New Look drafting team was thinking if it was a little snug on you! I am curious about your FBA for this pattern, did you cut and slash from the bottom of the maxi up, or did you use the Nancy Zeiman method of pivot and slide at the underarm seam? I have not ever done the cut and slash method, it frightens me! All in all, you did what it took to achieve yet another fabulous design for your lovely self!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:43h, 02 AugustThank you so much, Loretta! I guess I’m a slightly busty petite but frankly, I’m discovering there is no rhyme or reason to pattern design fitting. For instance, this New Look pattern was huge in the bust.
I slashed from the bottom up. It’s the only type of FBA I’ve ever done which I am able to do in 5 minutes. Don’t be scared! 😉
Mary Ann Bassett
Posted at 07:17h, 01 AugustLove the dress! What I’m really excited about is receiving my copy of The Tunic Bible….looks fantastic!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:47h, 02 AugustAhh……… thank you so much, Mary Ann 🙂
Becky Bagwell
Posted at 07:42h, 01 AugustPerfect! Love the color and pics!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:47h, 02 AugustThank you, Becky!
Myra Rentmeester
Posted at 08:12h, 01 AugustWhat a gorgeous dress Sarah! The color is absolutely stunning on you! I hope one day soon I will feel comfortable in wearing maxi dresses too! They are so elegant!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:48h, 02 AugustMany thanks, Myra! Would you believe I never wore maxi dresses until I started sewing?
Julie Starr
Posted at 09:17h, 01 AugustWindy or not you are a knock out in this one. Perfect color with a tan and I can’t think of anything more comfortable to wear in hot weather than floaty silk. Your resort wear collection grows ever more elegant!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:49h, 02 AugustMany thanks, Julie! I wish my tan was as elegant as my resort wear collection 😉
Mary Glenn
Posted at 09:27h, 01 AugustLove the color. Looks very comfy!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:50h, 02 AugustMany thanks, Mary!
Cindy Aymes
Posted at 09:46h, 01 AugustI too am curious about the FBA. Having a perfect fit really takes it up a notch! Beautiful fabric and colour too! Love this maxi especially – it looks fabulous on you!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:51h, 02 AugustThank you, Cindy! For the FBA, I used the cut and slash method, slashing from the bottom up. It’s the only type of FBA I’ve ever done which I am able to do in 5 minutes.
Eileen
Posted at 10:17h, 01 AugustBeautiful beach dress. Loved the peek inside your new book……you and Julie did not need any models for your tunics. You both wear them so well. I WANT this book!!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:53h, 02 AugustThank you so much Eileen, for the dress comment and for taking a peek inside the book! Julie and I decided readers would have grown tired looking at every tunic on only us 😉
Marnie
Posted at 11:01h, 01 AugustSo you were afraid to wash the silk! 🙂 Silk fiber can always handle washing – it is the dye and embroidery that sometimes cannot. I wash most of my silk yardage in the washer or by hand. Some, especially those used for pillow cases, even get put into the dryer. Like you, I have found the hand for sewing and wearing, better in a silk that has been washed. Lovely dress. Your work inspires me to better sewing!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:55h, 02 AugustYep, I was scared to death to put that lovely silk in the washing machine, but now I’m glad I took the plunge. I so agree that the hand for sewing was immensely improved.
Many thanks for the comment, Marnie!
Martha Hughes
Posted at 11:01h, 01 AugustThe color of that dress looks fabulous next to the blue of the water. Nice make.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:56h, 02 AugustThank you, Martha! Hubby and I knew the photos would work nicely ~ just wish it had not been windy 😉
Joen
Posted at 11:33h, 01 AugustLooks great! love the chain detail at the neck, yes perfect resort wear!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:57h, 02 AugustThank you so much, Joen!
peggy leah
Posted at 12:46h, 01 AugustThis resort dress is just that: perfect resort wear and I love the color. Good fit. Isn’t it wonderful to find a fabric that you love?
…and they had some left for you to reorder! Using it for a lining really added so much to the other dress. It made all the difference in the world even though only you know it’s there (and us). You will always love wearing it because it’s special! For a couple of
days I thought I had lost the site, but there it is this morning. None
of my friends sew and that makes this connection even more
important. Love your color choices. I vow no more navy or black
for awhile! Maybe..
peggy
peggy
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:03h, 02 AugustPeggy,
Many thanks for your nice comment 🙂 I was thrilled to discover more silk was in stock and am pleased with the result! When I returned to sewing I too had zero sewing friends. Now I have several though very few live in my town, making my online connections and relationships very special.
Jeanie Joe
Posted at 13:04h, 01 AugustHey, Sarah! The orange silk is fabulous!! I applaud your sense of color, and love that you aren’t afraid to go bright! I am also glad you took a chance and tested the silk for washing. Many silks are washable, and I do not like dry-cleaning. I have been sewing since I was little (and that was a long time ago) and now I am teaching my craft in college. I found your blog recently, and am loving the apparel sewing updates you post. Your work is beautiful, and I really love reading your blog!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:06h, 02 AugustMany thanks, for your comment, Jeanie! Fortunately I had those scraps to test. Although I know many silks are washable, I still cross my fingers each time I put a piece in the washing machine.
Where do you teach?
Claire
Posted at 14:34h, 01 AugustVery glam! The windswept photos really show the fabric’s movement nicely. Love the book preview on Amazon–my goodness, there are a lot of tunics in there and so many pretty variations. Can’t wait to try in October. Enjoy Edisto!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:07h, 02 AugustThank you so much, Claire!! I wasn’t going for the windswept look, but…… oh well 😉
Yes, we made many, many tunics for the book to show the pattern’s diversity, and I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Sandy Hutchinson
Posted at 14:45h, 01 AugustI love this dress as well as most of your dresses & tunics. You look so great in them. I love the preview of your book & have also pre-ordered so that I can get a copy as soon as it is released. Thanks so much for this blog I love reading & seeing the stuff you do. You are one talented lady.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:08h, 02 AugustThank you so much for ordering the book, and for your nice comment about the dress, Sandy!
felicia
Posted at 15:26h, 01 AugustThis is just gorgeous, both the colour and the style.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:08h, 02 AugustThank you Felicia!
Carolyn
Posted at 15:35h, 01 AugustThis is gorgeous! Windblown or overshadowed by the sun, it is simply gorgeous!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:09h, 02 AugustAhh…… thank you Carolyn, and I hope all is well with you 🙂
Jennifer Shaw
Posted at 16:28h, 01 AugustSarah, I am in love with your dress!! Wow, that particular shade of sunburst orange, is gorgeous on you. I am so glad that you mentioned that you preshrank your silk crepe de chine in your washing machine. You look like the star you are, in your wonderful new dress!!
I ended up purchasing a gorgeous silk knit, whilst traveling to Mood in LA. in June. Would you recommend to preshrink the silk knit in the washing machine?? I am aching to make a wrap dress out of it, that I have previously made.
Thanks again.
Yours Truly, Jennifer
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:11h, 02 AugustMany thanks, Jennifer! I’ve never been to the Mood LA store, but hopefully one day. I am afraid to advise you on the silk knit since but perhaps a reader will be helpful 😉
Rosemary
Posted at 10:31h, 02 AugustStunning and elegant! Beautiful summer color and I love the breezy photos – shows such great movement of the fabric – what you want in a maxi dress. I recently made one similar to the A view in a vintage pattern but I love the neckline you chose – really cool and modern – I’m inspired to sew one for myself!
All the best,
Rosemary
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:54h, 03 AugustThank you, Rosemary! The fabric does have good movement though I’m not so sure the photos flatter the garment 😉
I was attracted to the neckline first and chains are readily available at JoAnn’s. I hope you’ll give it a try!
Jan
Posted at 14:51h, 24 AugustI agree wholeheartedly with comments complimenting you on colour etc etc!!! I have just ordered some crepe de chine from uk fabric store (duty too pricey!) and was wondering whether you lined the dress and if so in the same fabric?
I have also pre-ordered you tunic bible – can’t wait for it!!! So happy to have discovered your blog!!