I actually started this dress 4 years ago and then abandoned it, almost completed, in a bin in the closet. So, in honor of Dress Month(s), I decided I should resurrect this dress and just get 'er done. The dress is made from a striped cotton fabric that I bought at a thrift store. The pattern is based on Simplicity 3877. Instead of the godets in the skirt, I made a wrap skirt. I made a wrap shirt as a muslin for the skirt back in 2008 and discussed my plans for this dress.
These were my inspiration images for the dress. The left photo is from J.Crew and the right is a magazine advertisement. I really got bogged down and frustrated doing the neckline. I thought that a ruffle like the dress on the right could be done using bias strips. But bias strips don't have the right drape. I now realize that I should have done a circle ruffle but I ran out of fabric. (See BurdaStyle's circular ruffle how-to.) So, the ruffle was discarded.
The dress is fully lined. I attached the lining along the front edges which made a really nice finished edge to the bodice and wrap. I turned under the sleeve ends and topstitched.
The ties are attached at the waist band of each side. There is an opening on the right side for one end to thread through, wrap around the back and tie together with the other end. (I hope that makes sense. :)
This dress does have some flaws but hopefully I'll get some use out of it. Mostly I'm glad to have it finished after so many years. Sometimes it just takes willpower doesn't it? Do you have any projects sitting around collecting dust?
