One dress, three ways: Casual

Hello everyone!

First of all, let me thank everyone who left a comment under my last post. I'm always overwhelmed by the kindness of the online sewing community and by how much two strangers can relate to each other from two computer screens. I'm a bit behind with replies, but I'll get to it soon, I promise.

Now, let's talk about the dress in question. I recently decided I wanted a simple summer dress in a floral fabric, I wanted it to have a high neckline and naked shoulders. I remembered about the Sonja dress pattern by Salme patterns (available as a free download here) and it seemed perfect for the job.

For such a simple pattern, I knew the fit was crucial. It wasn't easy for me to find the right alterations for this bodice, because after an FBA I still had gaping at the armscye. In the end I used a method similar to this one, drawing a dart at the armscye and pivoting it into the bust dart, but I guess I removed too much fabric from the armscye, since now it pulls slightly and gives me a bit of side boob. Nothing I can't work with anyway, it's not too noticeable nor unconfortable.

As always, I omitted facings and finished neckline and armscyes with bias tape (although that might contribute to the pulling, so maybe it wasn't the best idea).

To make this simple dress more interesting, I installed an exposed zipper in the back, and I love the effect. My original idea was to use a metal zipper, but that would have meant no washing machine, and this dress will be worn too much for the cost of dry cleaning.

This dress made me love pleats! I initially wanted to turn the pleated skirt in a gathered one, but then I went with the original design and really loved it! I definitely won't avoid them anymore.

I'm very happy with this dress, it's exactly what I wanted. And since this dress is very versatile, I decided to play dress up for the blog and wear it in three different ways.

Belt, purse, sandals: Pimkie

Necklace: niandra

 

This casual look is what I would wear on an everyday basis: glasses, ponytail, huge bag and flat shoes/sandals. 

I also added a skinny belt because I made the bodice less fitted than I usually do, which makes it so much more comfy. I just need to wear a belt if I want to make it look more cinched.

Stay tuned for two more looks in the next few days!