Made by a Fabricista: A Layering Dress for Fall

I am so happy with how this project turned out, can you tell?!  Everything about making this dress was completely enjoyable.  So many of my projects have to be tweaked tiny bits here and there for a great fit.  They may involve pattern manipulation before cutting fabric or small tucks and shifts here or there on an almost finished project, but for this make the fitting was so very easy and the result so fun to wear.

The pattern is the Deer and Doe Arum.  This is the first Deer and Doe pattern I've ever made up so I was curious about the fit.  Most of my makes as of late have been with the bigger pattern companies and I pretty much know how they will fit my body type.  It felt like a bit of a gamble when I began grading this pattern between sizes (which I always do to any pattern because my measurements always put me in two to three ranges).

But I have to say that I am so impressed with the back of this dress, can you believe that I didn't have to make a single sway back adjustment?  What?!!  I always need a small sway back adjustment to get a smooth look in the small of my back but not with this pattern.  The grading between sizes made this pattern fit perfectly down my back, into the small of my back and over my back side- miracle!! The only place where I took a bit in was at the side seams from the hips down.  This was easily accomplished by wearing the dress inside out and pinning out the excess.

The shape is fun too, I love a shift but my one complaint with shifts is usually that there is absolutely no shaping.  This dress has just the right amount of shaping combined with only five pattern pieces.  The kimono sleeves mean that there are no sleeves to set and the shift shape means there's no zipper to install, win-win!

My pose was directed by my seasoned fashion photographer....my 8-year-old! 

Now on to this great fabric!  I love this fabric too, it was perfect for this project.  My original plans for this dress were to use a denim or rayon challis but when I spotted this rayon/tencel suiting I was very curious since I've never sewn with this type of fabric.  The texture is great for fall, it has great drape like a rayon challis but is thicker than challis and has a twill woven texture.  It is very soft and very comfortable to wear.  

I think this is going to be a great layering piece for fall and imagine pairing it with mustard colored tights and a cute moto jacket.  Or maybe I will wear tall boots, a chunky sweater and bright scarf- its great to have options!  I hope your fall sewing is off to a great start and the cooler temperatures (if you're in the northern hemisphere!) provide you with a renewed sense of inspiration! 

Happy Sewing!

Elizabeth

I Sew, You Sew