Slightly belated, but here are the picture of the ‘Christmas dress’ I made this year. I don’t usually follow trends, but I kept seeing gorgeous velvet dresses everywhere and couldn’t get them out of my mind, so I went ahead and made one myself.
After making my last Plantain dress, there were a few adjustments that I felt would improve the fit. I used this dress to put these to the test.
As you can see I completely altered the neckline at the front and the back. I used my french curve to redraw a scooped back, just making sure it didn’t come down lower than my bra.
For the front, I traced the neckline of an existing t-shirt I like (this one actually). If I made it again, I’d lower the front neckline by 1/2 an inch as I don’t like things too high on my neck. It makes me feel a bit claustrophobic, but other than that I’d say this was a winner.
I also took the top in at the waist.
Then I just added a circle skirt and hemmed that with my overlocker as I didn’t want it to be too bulky.
Rather unusually for me, I finished the neckline with a facing. I tested out some other methods on some scraps, but I didn’t like the bulk that extra stitching added. I think a dress this simple looks much better with clean lines. The reason I usually hate facings is because they never stay put, but this time I followed some great tips from What Katie Sews and I love the results. I did put a few tiny catch stitches in the back as the neckline dips so low, but other than that, it completely stays in place by itself.
The fabric is a stretch velvet-like fabric, which is soooo soft and drapey. I love the colour. It felt really festive without being over the top so I was actually able to dress it up with heels for our staff do and also wear it with flats (aka tights) for our friends’ Christmas meal.
Very versatile!
This is so beautiful. You really did a great job.
It’s gorgeous! I love the low back neckline.
Thanks
Gorgeous dress, the colour is beautiful and I love the neckline. I’m very nervous about attempting velvet but it looks so lovely to wear.
Thank you. This was a very easy project, but I think that’s because the pattern was so simple and the velvet has some stretch. I definitely wouldn’t be put off if you wanted to have a go!
A perfect Christmas dress!
Thanks
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
WONDERFUL ANYTIME—SO GORGEOUS!
Lovely make! Always love a low back – very ballerina. And great colour too!
The other option for a bodice like this is to completely line the bodice in a light weight fabric with a similar stretch. You can just attach the sleeves and skirt to both layers. I can totally understand why you wouldn’t want to bind or similar. That lovely clean neckline is perfect.
Ah thank you. And thanks for the tips! I did think of a bodice lining, but I didn’t have time to buy any lightweight fabric and thought I’d be a bit hot in a double layer of this. Good idea for next time though!