I’ve made a new dress for autumn! (sneaky peeked in my Fashionary here) More accurately, I made this about a month ago and have been awaiting a day I can actually wear it without unladylike perspiration marring the photograph. (ew)
It is a Metalicus sort of a dress.
Oh, OK; it is pretty much an almost exact copy of one from their summer range. (pictured at right)
Well, I saw, and I was helpless to resist. I just had to have. (shrug)
I used a cotton knit jersey with a charcoal and black stripe from Fabulous Fabrics, and drafted my own pattern with the help of a tank top. The skirt is just a slightly shaped to-the-waist and then flared A-line design. I bought 2m of 150cm width fabric, but found that 1.2m was plenty to cut out this dress shape using the layout pictured below.
Don’t worry, the leftover 80cm has been put to good use already, undergoing a rapid transformation into a three-quarter sleeved, scoop-necked Tshirt. This using my now go-to Tshirt pattern, the one formerly known as Burdastyle 06/2011, 120 (altered completely until beyond recognition, but still one must give credit, non?)
I edged the neckline and armhole/sleeve edges of both the dress and the Tshirt with a folded band, the type that you see on just about all Metalicus pieces,which is why I have it stuck in my head as The Metalicus Finish, lol.
Please note; the Absolute Perfection in Stripe-Matching. I pinned the junction of each and every stripe to achieve this. No, I am not exaggerating.
The red pen below is pointing to a bodice side seam. Can you even see it? (said with an unseemly lack of humility)
This is the kind of thing not noticeable to a, er, normal person (read: someone who does not sew), but is the ultimate in self-satisfaction for those of us who have ever sewn stripes together. Stretchy jersey stripes, I might add. (insert deep and disgracefully un-humble sigh)
The lower hem is overlocked, folded under once, and finished with a straight stitch. I hemmed my dress exactly the right length to work perfectly over one of my favourite actual Metalicus pieces, this frill-edged white petticoat.
Now OK; do I feel bad about outright copying a dress like this? I do, a bit. You see while I like to make my own clothes nowadays, I have a lot of respect for Metalicus. I used to buy their clothes. And actually I will own up now that in a small transgression of my pledge I did indeed buy a few pairs of Metalicus winter tights at their New Year’s sale, eep! But they were such fantabulous colours!! (the colours made me do it, your Honour…) and anyhow, tights can be classed as underwear, right??
I am OK with supporting Metalicus, since it is an Australian company, with the clothing traditionally made here in Australia. I am of course a big supporter of ethical fashion which includes buying locally made stuff wherever possible. So I wish to see Metalicus successfully continuing on this path and not succumb to the evil lure of the profits that come with overseas manufacturing.
It was during this visit to Metalicus I noticed that a few “made in China” pieces were making an insidious and very unwelcome appearance in the range. I did feel sad about this and wondered briefly (and probably foolishly) if my boycotting of RTW had contributed in even some minuscule part. And copying a dress from the store, even just one, for me, is also part and parcel of taking away business from what is a legitimate Australian business. So I did feel a bit guilty. But if Metalicus is going to go to the dark side and send their manufacturing overseas, taking away Australian jobs, then while I am very sad about that it does at least make it a heck of a lot easier for me to stay away from RTW.
btw I did check my tights before I bought them, and they are indeedy of the Made in Australia variety.
So I’m resting easy on that purchase.
Sort of.
Perfectly beautiful, the dress and the top. I love them.
Carolyn I really love this! Geometry in fabrics is a big draw card for me.
I LOVE this! I think it's perfect for every season, and your stripe matching is amazing! I want one in navy and white now!
I love the length. It looks fabulous over the petticoat.
I'm so impressed with your stripe matching – just perfect. Your dress looks wonderful and I'm looking forward to you using it in a 6 ways post in the future (but, hey, no pressure).
Congrats on the red dress win too.
I'm really impressed that your dress was based on a tank top.
And I do believe that you would have pinned each stripe. Who wouldn't? I love stripes.
Wow! It's a simple design that packs a big bang, and your stripe matching IS very impressive.
As for your ethical dilemma, you have given this company a bit of free publicity and showcased their design, so perhaps you are actually doing them a favour?
It is Official. You are a Sewing Goddess. I am sure I have never seen stripe matching this perfect. The fact that you have to point out a seam is proof of it. Such a cute dress and love the top. I really like the neck finishing, may have to borrow that idea.
Wow! What a great dress – the pattern matching is superb!!
Wow, Carolyn! Your sewing perfection is superhuman! Really lovely dress and T-shirt, I love stripes so much.
I LIKE your unseemly lack of humility! This is a brilliant dress. I also think you should rest easy on buying tights. I mean, a woman needs warm legs, does she not? You don't have to feel guilty about tights!
Oh this is a huge winner for me! Love it over the petticoat, which I would not have thought of doing and it elevates the style perfectly. Almost as perfectly as your seaming…. impressive indeed. Taking the time to do it correctly is always so rewarding and sets such a good example for beginners. Well done!
I just love stripes, as much as polka dots, and this is gorgeous! And, yes, you you have mad stripe matching skillz. 🙂
well played with stripes! matching the stripes is really a tough task, but once accomplished, i can relate to the satisfaction it gives to any sewista! looks fab on you.
Adithis Amma Sews
Lovely dress – perfect for summer! And the stripe matching is awe-inspiring. Of course tights are underwear! 😉
Unless you plan to hand-knit tights (which I suppose *could* be done) I wouldn't feel guilty about them, especially if Made in Australia! I also wouldn't be terribly humble if I were capable of stripe-matching like that. That is a totally adorable dress in all ways.
Seeing as I'd never heard of Metalicus before you mentioned them, I'd say one dress is fair recompense for the free advertising they're getting from you. 😉
great dress and I understand your joy at the stripe matching. Stuff like that makes my heart sing!
Love that dress, very well done and just my style
What a great dress! It looks great with the petticoat, like it was part of the original design, and I like the versatility of the layers. I am also in awe of your stripe-matching.
Tough call on the store…I guess I'm not one to talk, seeing as how I copy ideas from Anthropologie on a regular basis.
I just love this dress, especially over the petticoat. The stripe matching is phenomenal! And wow, yes, the t-shirt, pretty cool! Thanks also for sharing the link with me on my blog. I'll look forward to checking it out today.
Great dress! Yay for stripes! I'm deeply in awe of your stripe matching capability! Also, that cutting layout is ingenious, and I will have to remember it!
Beautiful work. And you got so much out of that one piece of fabric. As to copying the designs, not to worry, you aren't selling them. It is quite different to copy something for yourself. And as someone said previously, you have given that company a spotlight from a group that might not know of them.
Absolute perfection.
What can I say that haven´t been said before? Great dress!
Love your dress!! I love Metalicus and have quite a few pieces and yes I've copied too – wear that dress all the time. I don't feel guilty since they've moved their ops o/s so I don't buy anymore – mind you, I have enough now. The stripes matching – fantastic job. Definitely something sewers look for and you've achieved that brilliantly. Now I'm off to copy another Metalicus dress – hope it turns out as nice as yours has.
It's lovely. I'm a sucker for stripes and chevrons. I think I would like one exactly like it, if only I had the body to go with it!
Wonderful stripe matching, setting the bar for the rest of us 🙂 Love the dress and that is started as a tank top.
Gorgeous!
I had never entered a Metallicus shop until I read your blog, so a little inspiration from a visit to them in exchange for years of non-solicited admirable comments seems nothing to be guilty about IMO.
You should, however, feel incredibly guilty at making your readers feel completely green with envy and possibly inadequately attentive to stripe matching. 🙂
Your dress is terrific.
I think that dress looks fabulous on you! I need to say however, I don't think your guilt is justified. Although the dress is fabulous I don't think it is an original design you are copying – inspiration yes – but not design. I am impressed with your stipe matching – initially I thought the reference was to the chevron matching and then I got more impressed! I don't know Metalicus though.
I love stripes and also Metalicus so this is a me dress. As for the ethical issue, I had a similar problem with Staxs a couple of years back. They were made in NZ but changed to China. There NZ stuff was beautifully stitched but once the switched to Chinese made it just never looked as good. I stopped buying about then.
Congratulations on the red dress win. It certainly is a lovely and versatile dress. Red is once of my favourite colours.
I love your dress. The way the stripes are horizontal/vertical in the front & back and diagonal on the sides. It looks fantastic and great stripe matching/cutting too!
What a lovely dress! You've managed to work the stripes so beautifully. Patterns that match at the seams = stellar!
What a great use of the stripes, and perfect matching. I would wear this dress every chance I got on a summer weekend!
I love this dress, the way the directional stripes work together is fabulous. It looks great with the petticoat peeping out at the hem as well. And a bonus t-shirt too – terrific.
I like the way you've layered it with white when the natural inclination is to go to black. Clever girl!
It's a gorgeous dress and I can think of SO many ways to style it. I am very, very impressed with the stripe matching. As the post loaded, I wondered how well that would work out.
You are the high master of the stripes!
What a masterpiece! I'm thrilled!
Lovely dress!!! The stripes matched is so clever and it´s very well done!
This looks fantastic, I love the stripes and love it with your petticoat.
That is mighty mighty fine!!
That is gorgeous – I want one just the same! From a fellow (shameless) Metalicus copier. I don't think you should feel guilty when US sewing blogs are full of Anthropologie knock-offs. Go girl!
BRAVO x a million! Stripe matching and style! I need to get more stretch fabric, this looks soooooo comfy!
Love your dress! And your stripe matching ability and patience is really astounding!
impeccable work at matching stripes. I also love the style you chose and the colors. Lovely shirt too. What's your trick for the neckband?
Beyootiful pattern matching and placement. Mmmm!
As for feeling a bit guilty about knocking off Metalicus, seems to me you've done a great job of advertising them. They should be grateful!
You have a nice blog! 🙂
Please, could you add some pictures of the sandals or shoes that you use?? Thanks!!
A perfect dress ! I really love it.
Both are super, that dress is going to be a comfy wear I am betting and so cute!
Another lovely job, Carolyn! And a judicious use of fabric :).
I love the dress (and the top)! It looks so comfortable, too. You can do so much with stripes. I'm amazed that you pinned every stripe, but perfectly matched stripes is a decent payoff (:
Oh, I really like this idea. And I won't feel guilty at all if I copy it as I am in the USA …
Gorgeous!!!
That dress is awesome. Having matched up striped jersey myself, I totally get your feelings on the well matched seams. Ditto with your feelings on Metalicus. I picked up a top from there there other day (the first RTW thing I bought in three years). When I turned it inside out to put in the washing machine I noticed the label said 'Made in China' and had a WTF moment. They still present themselves as an Australian company but apparently a lot of their stuff is from China/ Taiwan. Won't be buying there again XS
I love this dress! Doesn't it feel great when you can match perfectly? Great job!
You deserve to feel proud of yourself for how this dress turned out. It is really impressively well made.
your blog is really eye catching and beautiful.I'm crazy in love with all of it!! All are so cute and the clothes look brilliant.
Fate clothing
somehow stumbled across your blog. .. I don't know how to sew but I am a bit of a perfectionist, so if I do I would totally do what you have done as well! Absolutely looove this dress and particularly how you have matched every single stripe! Now I feel like I should start learning how to sew! I also love Metallicus but I love this dress of yours way more! Going to bookmark this page for future ref and sending it to my sil who used to sew.
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