22 Aug Tropical Leaf Print Midi
Some people never change their look, and wear the same hairstyle, same makeup, same clothing style throughout their life.
When I look back on old photos I’m all over the place, but I eventually settled into my current hair, makeup and dress style ….. that was a long time ago 😉
Today I don’t feel the need to follow trends, but I certainly don’t want to be stuck in a time warp! Speaking of which……
This pattern is from 1998. I thought about it for my mother-of-the-bride dress four years ago, but something about it looked dated.
This RTW dress is from 2018. It’s a fresh variation on the classic Empire silhouette inspiring me to reconcile the old pattern to the new look.
How did I do?
I’m not an A cup and I like to smile so some obvious differences exist.
After seeing numerous tropical leaf print dresses this year, I ordered Mood Fabrics Green and White Leafy Print stretch cotton shirting with some type of dress in mind. The fabric is lightweight, smooth and opaque with a little more stretch than many stretch wovens I’ve sewn, but the fabric is very easy to handle.
Who would have thought the Midi Dress would be considered fashion forward in 2018? My Midi memories are of Laura Ashley dresses with puffy sleeves, gathered skirts and waist sashes. This time around creating a more flattering silhouette with the longer length was key.
To get the RTW dress look, I made a few changes to the pattern including:
- Shortening the upper bodice by one inch to cup under the bust. This change worked in my favor as it raised the natural waistline exactly to my waist.
- Widening the shoulder straps from 1/2″ to 1 1/2″.
- Creating a square neckline. To do this I cut the upper bodice pattern pieces straight across the chest and placed the the shoulder straps on the outside of the bodice side front.
I lined the upper bodice with the fashion fabric and the skirt with Bemberg rayon. The jury is still out on the skirt lining since the Bemberg created a stiffer drape causing the dress to lose its casual vibe and take on a dressier feel.
Never did I expect to be wearing this length again, but my experiment once again proved it’s all about balancing proportions.
In closing – my apologies about the photo quality. Wouldn’t you know we discovered the new battery charger was faulty when it was too late to do anything other than use our telephones 😬. Until soon!
Janine
Posted at 06:21h, 22 AugustI would never have considered using shirting for a dress, but this looks better than RTW (as always!). This suits you, and the proportions are spot on.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:47h, 22 AugustMany thanks, Janine! The fabric does not remind me of a shirting at all. It’s really more like a stretch poplin and it is perfect for a dress 😊
kathleen wallen
Posted at 06:45h, 22 AugustA beautiful dress. I love tropical prints.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:47h, 22 AugustThank you, Kathleen!
Melissa Archer
Posted at 07:00h, 22 AugustIt’s better than the original! I’m a fan of green generally and I like the freshness of the print you chose for this.. The way you’ve styled it really makes it all about the dress. Absolutely lovely!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:54h, 22 AugustMany thanks, Melissa! I too, think it is an improvement over the pattern and am going to hang on to this one 😉
Kate Smith
Posted at 07:16h, 22 AugustI love this length on you! It works because the fit is nice and fitted. The print is beautiful and I like seeing a lot of it! It will be a great dress with a wrap for those chilly southern restaurants!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:55h, 22 AugustThank you, Kate! It really is all about the fit for sure. Last year I made a longer skirt and while I don’t hate it, I like this dress much better 😉
Rebecca Bagwell
Posted at 07:25h, 22 AugustLove the dress and fabric! It make me happy!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:56h, 22 AugustThank you, Becky! I’m still drooling over the top you made for your mother 😊 EmmaOneSock is most proud of you with that wonderful Instagram post – good job!!!!
Laura Casey
Posted at 07:27h, 22 AugustOh my! This is a winner! I think the make works on so many levels, especially with the empire shape….love it! You always inspire me….thanks!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:57h, 22 AugustMany thanks, Laura! I’m pleased with this one too 😉
Carrie Cooper
Posted at 07:32h, 22 AugustLooks great – but I’m in love with your shoes!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:01h, 22 AugustThank you, Carrie…… I bought the shoes in Paris in 2010 and will hang onto them as long as possible 😉
Mary Funt
Posted at 07:54h, 22 AugustLooks great and your pattern modifications are perfect.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:03h, 22 AugustThank you so much, Mary! Cosmetic modifications are certainly more fun to do than fitting modifications 😊
Patricia Flournoy
Posted at 07:56h, 22 AugustLove it, love it to pieces…If the summer (for me) wasn’t almost over I would “copy” your style…Perhaps, next year?
Merci,
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:04h, 22 AugustThank you, Patricia! I know what you mean about summer almost being over as I try to justify making ONE more 😊
Sandy
Posted at 07:58h, 22 AugustIt is very flattering. I don’t think I would have even looked at that length since I am 5’2″, but you are correct with your proportions. They have worked beautifully. I am rethinking things now:)
Beautiful job and I love the print.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:05h, 22 AugustThank you, Sandy! While I won’t say I was in. a rut, I was ready to try something new, and fortunately I’m glad I did 😉
Jennifer Stribling
Posted at 08:17h, 22 AugustLooks great! Nice proportions between size of leaf print and the dress. P.S. who makes those sandals? I am not quite 5’2 myself, always looking for heeled, nude-color shoes
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:06h, 22 AugustMany thanks, Jennifer! I bought the sandals in Paris in 2010……..
Gail
Posted at 08:27h, 22 AugustYour new dress is so flattering on you! Love the style and length. Question for you… Where did you get the gorgeous sandals?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:40h, 23 AugustGail ~ Thank you so much. I bought the sandals in Pairs in 2010………
Debbie Bowdish
Posted at 08:35h, 22 AugustSarah, your dress is lovely and I enjoy learning the adaptations you make to the pattern. Someday I may be sewing for myself again.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:07h, 22 AugustAh…… thank you so much, Debbie! I hope you do start sewing for yourself again (after you finish sewing for everyone else) 😉
Make it Any Wear
Posted at 08:48h, 22 AugustIf you want to use Bemberg in something like this again, I’d suggest pre-wasining it. I’ve washed it recently for a couple of projects and was very happy with the effect,
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:52h, 22 AugustThank you for this wonderful tip! I prewash some linings but not all…… I might give the dress a gentle soak and see what happens 😉
Leigh Rollins
Posted at 08:48h, 22 AugustBeautifully done! I find as I have gotten older that a higher waist and a below knee length works better for me. Your dress has inspired me just as most of your postings have. Thank you! 👗
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:09h, 22 AugustMany thanks, Leigh 😉 I’m going to keep experimenting with ways to make the longer length work ~ who knows maybe another silhouette will come into play!
peggy leah
Posted at 09:03h, 22 AugustThe longer length has an elegance to it. Most of
my newer dresses are longer and yet the proportions
work for me too at 5’10” .
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:10h, 22 AugustThank you so much, Peggy. Oh how I would love to be a few inches taller……😉
Nancy Priest
Posted at 09:37h, 22 AugustThe dress is wonderful and you look great! I like the length.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:53h, 22 AugustThanks so much, Nancy!
Alicia Burrus
Posted at 09:55h, 22 AugustBeautiful dress, Sarah! I love the color. I think the length makes you look taller!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:53h, 22 AugustTaller, really?????? I’ll take 10 more please😊😊
PsychicSewerKathleen
Posted at 10:04h, 22 AugustI love this length on you too especially in this “empire” style and the square neckline is so chic. I love square necklines but they can be tricky devils 🙂 I’m just making a couple of linen jumpers – one is a longish tunic length and the other is midi. I’m making both at the same time, discovering this beautiful see-through, black with white thread stripe, Italian linen will be perfect for a jumper to wear over leggings and Tees. I love that look but it was the 2 lengths that made me laugh when I thought about how okay it is to have whatever length you want. So freeing 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:52h, 22 AugustSo true, Kathleen – the sewist’s choice and not the manufacturer! Freedom is the perfect description 😊
Vanessa
Posted at 10:50h, 22 AugustThis is gorgeous in every way! It looks fashion forward, yet it is also a stunning color and silhouette for you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:44h, 22 AugustSometimes I never know how a project will turn out, but I’m pleased with this. Many thanks, Vanessa!
Beth (SunnyGal Studio)
Posted at 11:33h, 22 Augustgreat summer dress, love a tropical print.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:43h, 22 AugustThank you, Beth!
Alania Sheeley
Posted at 12:40h, 22 AugustLove your dress! You mentioned that the Bemberg lining is a little stiffer than what you really wanted. When I want a softer look, I cut the lining fabric on the bias.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:43h, 22 AugustMany thanks, Alania and great advice!! 😉
Marie Z Johansen
Posted at 14:09h, 22 AugustI think you made one perfect, updated, dress and it looks ah!mazing on you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:39h, 23 AugustThank you so much Marie! I hope to wear it a lot during this last month of summer 😉
Morgana
Posted at 15:15h, 22 AugustLovely! So fresh and inspired. I love all of your posts. So much information, so many great ideas, and such a way with styling.
You have always looked so petite and slim, but I have to say, this takes your svelte figure to a whole new level. I wouldn’t have styled you with anything other than above-the-knee before, but this is stunning on you, and complements your slightness in a very youthful and lively way.
Bravo on fabric and color choice as well.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:38h, 23 AugustWhat a lovely comment, Morgana 🤗 I never expected to even consider a midi length dress again after looking back on old photos, but the fashion magazines and websites won out! Best of all I learned a little something along the way. Many thanks!
Sheri Lewis
Posted at 23:36h, 22 AugustNicely done again!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:34h, 23 AugustThank you, Sheri!
Bronwyn David
Posted at 09:36h, 23 AugustGorgeous. Up-to-the-minute fabric choice (I love these tropical greens) and a nice update of an old style. As they say, if you live long enough, everything comes back in fashion.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:03h, 24 AugustHa Ha Ha – I must be getting old! 🙃
Linda LaMona
Posted at 20:50h, 23 AugustThis is gorgeous. I was surprised to read this was shirting fabric. Really looks great as a dress. Love the changes you made to suit you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:05h, 24 AugustThank you, Linda! It doesn’t remind me of shirting fabric but more like a stretch poplin😊
Judy Pineda
Posted at 21:06h, 23 AugustI love this dress, and it does justice to the inspiration pieces. And I totally love those shoes too!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:05h, 24 AugustMany thanks, Judy! I bought the shoes in Paris in 2010 – hanging on as long as I can 😉
Terri Holland
Posted at 21:37h, 23 AugustAnother lovely dress, Sarah! I am excited about the midi length dresses- they are so classy looking in my opinion. We see photos of Meghan Markle wearing the below the knee hemlines. So, see? You’re spot on with your styling, as usual! Keep those posts coming-I LOVE seeing what you create.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:08h, 24 AugustHi Terri!
Thank you so much and so nice to hear from you ~~ Meghan Markle is the epitome of style isn’t she? 😊
Lexley
Posted at 07:41h, 25 AugustThis shows off your beautfiul slim figure and love the longer length and style of dress on you…..you are always stunning!
Gail
Posted at 09:57h, 26 AugustI totally agree with you.
Patricia Steig
Posted at 14:43h, 25 AugustJust one word STUNNING. Thanks for your creations and the ideas.
Liselotte Johansson
Posted at 16:04h, 25 AugustBeautifyl dress and it*s suit you very well,
Joelle Sell
Posted at 02:54h, 27 AugustFabulous dress and very clever alterations to end with a great look. Love your blogs they are so inspiring! Thank you
Susanne
Posted at 03:26h, 24 SeptemberThis dress is SO beautiful, so well proportioned, in my eyes it is the perfect lenght for you. Also, the sandals are perfect to go with it! The overall impression is very Anna Wintour! I haven’t had time to sew because of my studies and exams in coaching, but hope to take up sewing again. Congrats on the birth of your grandson Billy and all the best from Zurich/Switzerland!