Hello, I’ve made a new sundress. Hmmmm, how do I love thee… let me coun
t the ways. It’s easy. It’s breezy. It’s the palest of soft cloud-grey with teeny ivory stripes. It’s crinkly-linen-tastic on the outside, and lusciously silk-lined on the inside. It’s a midi length #currentcrave The skirt can be styled in multiple different ways.
That’s a lot of different ways.
Pattern; a few weeks ago Emily, the designer behind In the Folds contacted me, asking if I would like to review her new pattern, the Acton dress. Obviously I said yes! I love trying out new patterns! and this one looked like so lovely and elegant for summer, long clean lines, an interesting skirt, tres chic
Fabric; a crinkly linen bought at Tessuti’s in Melbourne a few years ago during a trip over there with Mum and Cassie. I remember I was going to make a shirt for one of my boys from it, but it wasn’t really the best fabric for that and I ended up buying pinstriped linens for them all instead, which was far more suitable. And by doing so, I then had the fabric all for my own selfish little self, while maintaining the virtuous position of having actually bought it unselfishly for someone else, mwahaha. My dress is fully lined with an ivory, silk crepe from Fabulous Fabrics. Actually leftover from my Ruby slip; and I just needed to buy a little more to get out the pieces.
For the straps and the ties; I used 1.5mm wide, white grosgrain ribbon. The pattern provides pieces and instructions to cut these out as bias-cut strips, but I chose to make them the cheat’s easy way. I overlocked all raw edges inside the dress, and hand-stitched the hemline in both skirt and lining
Thoughts and alterations: the pattern has two variations, or four if you count the fact that the bodice has two variations, and the skirt another two. Along with the fact that the skirt on variation B can be tied differently in several different ways itself, that adds up to …um, let’s just say “lots” of slightly different looks, to suit lots of different tastes, pick your favourite. I love having options like this in a pattern!
I made my dress with skirt B and bodice A that has a lower back. As recommended in the pattern, I used the skirt A pieces for my lining. There is an invisible zip in the CB seam, but with the lowered back of bodice A, I have found I can actually just slip the dress on and off over my head without having to zip it up or down. BONUS!! and darn that perfectly aligned invisible zip!
skirt wrapped and tied at front
The pattern is only available as a pdf; which I reckon is absolutely brilliant for those of us who want something NOW, however has the unavoidable downside that you have to tape all those pages together *sad trombone* If you’re printing out both skirt options as I did, because I was using skirt A pieces to line skirt B this is a whopping 64 pages in total. Yes, that’s a lot! Though, this is the entire pattern, and if you’re making the skirt unlined you wouldn’t have anywhere near that many 🙂 Also, of course you can always go the A0 route; take the file to a copy shop like Officeworks and pay a small amount to have it printed on three A0 size pages. This reduces the amount of taping to almost nothing. Me being the impatient bod that I am, yes: I printed at home and taped… and I save time and tape by cutting out and only taping together the bits that I absolutely have to.
I used to find pdf’s a bit of a pain but the instant gratification is undeniably a big plus and I consider myself an expert at this taping biz now.
skirt wrapped and tied at back
My measurements put me at a size C, and as mentioned, I can just slip the dress on over my head. I do have narrow shoulders it’s true, and my crinkly fabric does have a tiny amount of give, but the bodice does have that easy-wearing, loose-ish fit, which I reckon is a good thing for summer, or if you want to wear it over a Tshirt as I am pictured below. I found it necessary to do just a slight small bust adjustment; I did this by the simple expedited method of flattening the bust curve by shaving about 1cm off of the bust curve. Not very scientific, but it works fine for me…
skirt wrapped and tied at back
I also lengthened my outer skirt pieces about 7cm at the lower hem, to give a nice long midi skirt, just because I’m currently in a midi sort of a mood. A mood for midis 😉 Speaking of the skirt, let’s get into these skirt variations… what are these different ways in which it can be styled?
skirt loose and untied
Firstly, there’s just with the side pieces hanging down completely loose and with the ties tied up in themselves to keep them up off the floor. This is easy and comfortable, excellent for large Christmas dinners! and gives that sort of loose, flowy, “Lagenlook” to the dress.
Secondly and thirdly, wrap and overlap the side bits around to either the front or the back of the dress… (in photos higher up) I’m undecided as to which of these I like the best. They both look equally cool, I reckon. Craig likes them wrapped to the front (below).
skirt wrapped and tied at front
Finally; I’ve been seeing all the cool, fashion-conscious kids of the world wearing their long-line spaghetti strap midi dresses with a little cap-sleeved Tshirt on underneath, so thusly decided to give it a whirl (below)… and I really love it like this! It was too hot to wear it in Broome with the additional layer underneath, but right now in Perth our sorta-warmish-but-not-hot springy weather means it’s simply perfect to wear a sundress with Tshirt, for that little bit of extra coverage. And the ties, for this “look”, I just tied them very loosely at the back without “wrapping” the side bits over each other. This does look nice too, I think, more casual and allows the long sleek lines of the dress to hang more gracefully. I actually think this could be my favourite way though it’s a close one. I do really like the way the skirt can be worn such a lot of different ways and plan to mix it up every time I wear it!
skirt not wrapped but loosely tied at back
Now, for some business-y notes. Emily kindly offered me an affiliate link for the Acton; and while up until now I have earned not one single cent from my blog and I have often said I wouldn’t do affiliate links, I have decided it’s time to give it a go. So my links to the Acton pattern will pay me a very small commission if someone chooses to buy it through that link. Please bear in mind that the commission paid to me is NOT an additional cost to the pattern; if you buy the pattern the price is exactly the same whether you buy through my link or otherwise. I just wanted to explain that just in case anyone was unsure and was wondering how it works. If you have enjoyed reading about and looking at my sewing projects over the years and also wish to buy this pattern, then please do not rule out this option 🙂
The Acton dress pattern is available from Emily’s site here; and you can also read more about Emily, an honours graduate in fashion and textiles from the University of Technology Sydney, and her other designs here
loosely tied at back
Details:
Dress; the Acton dress by In the Folds, in grey striped crinkly linen, lined with silk crepe
Tshirt; the Nettie, white jersey, details here
Hat; Vogue 8844, ivory corduroy, details and my review of this pattern here
Sandals, in the beach pics; designed and made by me, details here
Clogs; in the garage pics; designed and made by me, details here
I took these beachy photographs on Cable Beach in Broome; a place which captured my heart during our holiday a few weeks ago and from which I did NOT want to come home. I’m not even joking. I’m getting that happy, eternally-summer vibe all over again, just looking at these pictures *sigh* Minimums 25C, maximums 32C every day; huge beach, squeaky white sand, almost completely deserted. Heaven!! I want to go back!!
Bonus picture; husband was intending to stay well out of the way but still managed to inadvertently photobomb, haha
LATER EDIT: the dress has had a minor update! I sliced off the wings, angling from the waist seam in a straight line out to the unaltered hemline… so the dress still has those lovely handkerchief points in the hemline, but is a little more streamlined about the waist and hips.
LATER EDIT:
the dress has had another update!
fairly major this time… it’s been worn quite a lot and I was getting a little bit tired of it… so it got rather summarily dunked into the dyepot… from which it somehow managed to emerge totally transformed into something newly amazing and magnificent to my eyes… I’M SO IN LOVE WITH THIS DRESS ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!
Love this, Carolyn – so breezy. And I always enjoy pics of your beautiful beaches and woods.
Very pretty, and it looks so comfy. I love the high neck, low back combination.
Gorgeous dress! Thanks for leading me to In the Folds — I’m incredibly impressed with the blog, and with this unique dress, too.
But back to your dress — that crinkly linen fabric seems to have been waiting for this pattern. Wonderful drape.
lovely dress and perfect on your beachy holiday. this pattern is just my style, with the cut in armholes, flowy skirt etc. You have convinced me however it is heading into winter here now 🙁 so I will have to remember this one when spring comes. Love it.
I absolutely love this sun dress but hit the WOW moment with the ties loosely tied in back photo. Thanks for taking the time to photograph all the ways you could wear this dress.
I immediately googled Broome to supplement my armchair travel. Not only gorgeous…but there are camels! The setting is perfection for your Acton Dress. The fabrics are just right for this kind of breezy summery outfit…and can I just say that looking at this beach has got me craving summer and we haven’t even hit winter here….le sigh. The design lines on the bodice are my favourite and as such, the iterations where you’ve tied it in the back, or not at all, really sing for me! Well done!
64 pages…you deserve a beautiful dress and who would have thought of wearing it with a T-shirt – super cool! Jo x
I adore this pattern and have been hoping to see it made up in a linen… And here it is in the most beautiful squishy drapey linen there is. Just beautiful!
You have made another wonderful summery dress! These pictures are just gorgeous and I can see why you didn’t want to leave Broome. You look so good in all the skirt ways, my prefered is with ties in front. It must be very nice wearing it with that silk lining.
i wouldn’t wanna leave broome too, what a gorgeous scenery! and great dress, love how it can be worn in few different ways, that’s always a bonus in my book 🙂
also, that fabric looks so lovely, i wish i can touch it 😀
It really looks like a lovely summer dress! Not the friendliest for my current sewing must-haves, like nursing access, but I’ll certainly have to consider it for once I’m done having kids and figure out what sort of figure they’ll leave me with.
You certainly have made the perfect summery dress and even like it with the t-shirt underneath. Love Cable Beach and the amazing tide was the thing that really had me amazed.
Oh – this does look like the perfect summer dress! And all those variations on tying up the skirt make it even more interesting. Definitely something to consider when summer is on the horizon around here.
Your choice of fabric is perfect.
Perfect fabric for a perfect dress. I love anything that can be worn multiple ways. Fabulous!
Your pictures make me long for summer and sea and flouncy dresses!
I am loving all the posts of this dress, and I especially like the seam at the front waist/empire line….. I cannot believe what a versatile dress it is, as it looks so well with the t underneath. cleaver using the grossgrain for straps, and you wear it well
You have my sympathy with all those pages. I recently stuck together a coat patten with a similar number of pages. It took me over a week just doing it in the evenings. I must admit to stopping through boredom every day after just a few pages though:). The dress looks fabulous. Very unusual!
It’s a lovely pattern! And A0 printing 4 eva! I must say I think twice about a PDF if there is no A0 option these days!
Interesting pattern & I love the fabric
This looks so lovely. I love all your photos by the ocean. It makes such a perfect background. I’m in the middle of the U.S., so no ocean near me. 🙁 LOL
What a perfect fabric for this pattern! You look amazing in this dress. I’m still avoiding pdf. patterns because of all the work they involve. But this was so worth it – it’s such a great pattern.
That looks like the perfect summer dress! I love all tge drape and I think the fabric was a perfect choice. Everything is so cleanly finished and the pictures are great! I think it is totally fair that you’re now using affiliate links, you inspire a lot of people and now everyone can give a little bit back, without much effort.
Another gorgeous dress that looks gorgeous on you no matter which way you wear it! You’ve long deserved a commission for all the patterns you have led so many to purchase, who might not have otherwise; so, absolutely do not feel bad for having an affiliate link now. And my most fave photo above….. is the one with your husband to the side. Sweet.
Hi Carolyn,
What a lovely dress! And such lovely surroundings, it is autumn/winter here in Denmark, so I dream enviously of your beach.
The dress/t-shirt look reminds me so much of my tweens/teens that I don’t know if I could ever pull it of without feeling like I was caught in a cheesy Ace of base/dr. Alban/ 2 unlimited flashback.
You wrote “Lagenlook” – where does this term come from? I wonder because in danish lagen means bed sheat (or what ever the fabric you put on your mattress is called).
thank you Jannie! Lagenlook translates to “layered look” I think it comes from German and has come to mean loose, oversized quirky clothing for women. That is interesting about meaning bed sheets in your language… I wonder if it translates to other meanings in other European languages? I would be so interested to find out more! I love your country, it’s so beautiful… I’ve visited twice and would absolutely adore to visit again.
Hi Carolyn,
Thank you for the explanation. Lag is also the danish word for layer or layers, so that makes a lot of sense. We have for instance “lagkage” which is layered cake.
I bet it would mean something similar in dutch too. Dutch always seems to me to be like a mix of danish, german and english.
Do you have family in Denmark since you have visited? Let me know if you visit again and we will figure something out! 🙂
That is very interesting! I don’t have family in Denmark, but would love to visit again. It would be lots of fun to meet up 🙂