I made a sundress using my autumn leaves fabric, screen-printed by me here. Those who like wonky weird imperfect prints are going to like this, if you don’t, then avert your eyes!
The pattern is an adaption of dress T, from the Stylish Dress Book, the design Reana chose for me to make my sew bossy dress here, which now looks like this. That one is such a great dress to wear; so comfy and easy to throw on it has quickly become one of my favourites 🙂
For this new dress I didn’t have enough fabric to make up the pattern as is. I left off the sleeves, and removed about 15cm in width from the centre fold of both the skirt front and back, so there is no gathering into the bodice … that’s a whole foot taken out of the skirt’s circumference overall! and there was still plenty of room in the skirt for me to have inseam pockets. I cut these from a much nicer, lightweight white swiss dot cotton.
The front neckline of the bodice has been scooped out a bit deeper than the pattern, and I split the front bodice and made a little placket, with buttons and buttonholes. Just because, I dunno (shrug), something to focus on other than those weird and wonky leaves. The front and back bodice each have a full facing, cut from a lightweight plain white cotton.
Hehe… would you believe I’ve only just noticed, when I uploaded this picture? that one of the leaves on the front of the bodice is missing its stem?? Only just noticed! LOL! And while drawing them in I checked and checked… I’ve fixed this up now, but didn’t bother to take another picture.
I’m a bit meh about this dress, partly because my print is … funny; and partly because the fabric itself is a pretty poor quality. It is a bit stiff and almost calico-like in texture. Now I’m kinda kicking myself I didn’t take the risk and buy a finer quality cotton in the first place, problem was, I had no confidence in myself and started out with the assumption I was going to stuff it up. I will wear the dress, because it’s airy and cool and will be great to have in the wardrobe in the hottest days of summer when I just want to grab something casual, and I’m hoping it will soften up over time with wear and washing. The thing is, I usually judge my self-mades by posing the question; would I buy this if I saw it in a store? And realistically I would probably pass this over, laughing at its hideousness. Oh well.
A thought… I can always use it as an apron, for future screen-printing sessions?! Ha!
I did learn something pretty important in printing and making this dress… Cut out the pattern pieces before printing!
This approach is hugely superior to printing a length of fabric and then deciding what to make with it, like I did here. Several reasons…
There is less wastage of fabric ink and your own effort, since you are not printing fabric that you won’t use.
You can make sure that the print is properly covering the pattern piece as you are going along.
You can if desired place the print just exactly how you want it to appear on the piece.
It’s guaranteed that you will have enough fabric printed to make what you want, there’ll be no laying down the pattern pieces and being disappointed that you underestimated just how much you would need.
Another consideration… there will be no angst when cutting into your precious print since it is already cut out and ready to go!
And, learning from my own mistakes… yes, I have already sewn together my giant polka dot pieces too, and I’m pretty happy with that one….. Stay tuned! 🙂
Details:
Dress; based upon dress T from the Stylish Dress book by Yoshiko Tsukiori, screen-printed ivory cotton
Hat; Vogue 8844, ivory corduroy, details and my review of this pattern here
I think it looks super cute. But I could understand if you didn't like the drape of the dress. Can't wait to see the polka dot creation. That was my favorite of your printings.
lovely little sundress, like the random red leaves. Also nice to see the snaps by the beach again.
I agree with Elizabeth. It looks really nice, but if it's not a garment you'd normally wear you shouldn't force yourself to like it.
Very nice dress, Carolyn! It looks very wearable and perfect for hot summer weather. I also love your work on screen paintings. Looking forward to see the polka dot creation.
Oh ! I Love this simply dress. pattern is perfect for couloring fabric.
I like the "wonky" and "weird" it adds to the uniqueness and beauty. It's good to be different see it as your fabric having some personality. You could start a trend lol.
I think the dress turned out very cute and I hope you´ll wear it often! Don´t be too hard on yourself – it was one of your first prints and I think you did an amazing job! I could also imagine that it makes a great piece for layering in fall.
I think it's cute – and completely unique! Good idea to cut the pattern pieces out first and then screenprint… 🙂
I like the dress, it looks really cute. Hope you get a lot of wear out of it, despite the fabric.
I think it's pretty cute, actually! And like you said, it's a learning experience.
Also, wow, that sky is a gorgeous backdrop.
Maybe you could use the leaf design again on something else? I think it is fabulous (but all your screen printing has been wonderful). I am also very jealous of your location. *sigh*
Seriously, I think the print – for whatever its faults – is mostly a success. The quality of the fabric, well, that's almost along the lines of the principle about 'location' for property; it's just about immutable. Not that crazy about the style, as you generally go for fitted styles, but in principle, not bad. Given you're so new to this business of printing fabric, I think you should count it all as a learning experience and that you're doing really well! The tip about cutting out the dress shape before printing is brilliant.
Your little sundress is perfect beachwear! I think your tip about cutting the fabric (or at least tracing the pattern pieces onto the fabric) would also be helpful when doing embroidery or any type of embellishing.
It's too bad that the quality of the fabric is not the best, but I particularly like this print: the slight "wonkiness" only adds to its considerable charm. The placket you added is a great feature.
It is good to learn stuff along the way. For what it's worth, I really like it – but there is no substitute for the fabric quality. Maybe wear it with leggings when the weather is not so nice and it will look more layered and the rougher fabric will not need to look floaty and light. Jo x
I don´t know about the texture of the fabric but the print looks much better as a dress. Very, very pretty! I have to learn some of those printing techniques, they have so many possibilities!
Looking forwards the polka dots dress!
I thought it looked beautifully on you, but then again in pictures you can't tell what the fabric is like. I feel that the colours are particularly suited to you 🙂
Shame you are meh about the dress. It is lovely. The different print is what makes it special. In nature things are not perfect. Some leave that fall off the tree lose their stems. It is a lovely little summer dress.
I understand why you are meh about the dress, but it will be perfect for those hot days and a few more washes might just make it more comfortable. I know you printed the dots on pre-cut fabric, this is an interesting comparison of techniques.
The location suits your look. Looking forward to seeing more Carolyn prints.
Oh, it's adorable!! Very Twiggy 60s looking to me. I love all of your beach pics. Makes me wish I was there.
Great use of the printed fabric – you are very talented indeed! I am sure you will get a fair bit of wear out of this cute summery dress…J
I think this has lots of potential. I really like the quirky print and wonder if it could be enhanced with some piping somewhere or a band of matching brownish/greenish fabric at the hem.
that's interesting you should say that, because halfway through I thought the same thing and did actually sew a yellowy/mustard piping around the neckline edge and also tried it demarcating the bodice and dress. Neither option actually looked "right" so I ended up taking it out leaving the dress very simple 🙂
I love the dress, and am thrilled you got such a great result. Perhaps it is too plain for you and doesn't have the style you are used to? You could pair it with some capris or leggings or add a shrug. I love that it is a blank slate for your creativity.
I think it looks great! It looks like a really cute beach cover up, which would seem to really suit your lifestyle. Just gorgeous, very clever.
This is a sweet little dress with a lovely print 🙂
The cotton may soften over time – the hypercriticism needs a bit of CBT – you are still learning this and you have done a good job – repeat a few times… 🙂 (mind you, I could well stand to follow my own advice here especially today!).
The fabric pattern does suit the dress – it sort of looks naive and not so far off calligraphy images.
I think it's lovely, playful. You're experimenting so… Thanks for sharing!
It reminds me of this other dress of yours: http://handmadebycarolyn.blogspot.com/2011/02/new-sundress.html
thank you Nati, and yes, it does have the same vibe, you are right! That other dress is still one of my summertime favourites 🙂
it's so nice to see your fabric all made up, it looks smashing!!
I think this print is charming, not at all wonky. The colors are lovely and the end result is very cute.
Fabulous! And yes, when I did that little bit of batik last summer, I 'rough cut' my pattern pieces first so I could better control placement and not work hard covering an entire piece of fabric when I wasn't going to use it all. After I was done, I trimmed the pieces down to exact. Can't wait to see the polka dot dress!
Beautiful dress!!!
thank you Judi 🙂
you should wear it – it looks really nice
Seems like you learned some valuable lessons with this make. 🙂 I do think it's rather pretty. Both the print and the placket with the lovely buttons!
I love the way your dress matches the dog! Once again I am in awe, and looking forward to seeing the future screen printing adventures.
Fashionista, thank you! I hadn't thought about the colour of Sienna's coiffure, but you are right! 🙂
I'm very impressed by both patterns–and can't wait to see the beach balls in a garment. The clouds in your photos are so perfect they don't quite look real.
I thought this sundress looks perfect! The colours of the leaves seem to shine in your photos, because they are in different shades of yellow to brown.. The shape and length is suited to warm sunny days and I like how you modified it from that dress in the book. I like taking a pattern and working around it and ending up with something else.
I think the dress is divine. It is so nice seeing what you used the fabric for, but I agree, it is better to cut the pattern out before doing the screen printing – you don't want to waste a single scrap of that lovely fabric.
PRETTY DRESS 🙂
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Very pretty. I loved the autumn leaves when you printed them. It's lovely seeing it made up.
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I've only just found your blog, but I have to say, this is one of my favorites you have made!
I LOVE your cloth design. LOVE IT! Looks great in the pics and not a bit hideous.