So, we had some purr-fectly dee-lightful weather last Monday, allowing me to wear, and take some piccies of, my dress. The product of my giant beachy polka dots fabric, screen-printed by moi. Um, I’m completely satisfied with how it turned out. And I can think of nothing further to add. Not like me, I know 😉
OK, just a few things.
I used the pattern for dress F from the Stylish Dress Book by Yushiko Tsukiori, chosen because I wanted an almost featureless tunic dress, with no darts and minimal shaping to interfere with my print, but still had a certain je ne sais quoi. This design, with a short neckline split and two piece open sleeves with a discreet but pretty little ribbon to tie them closed, was exactly what I wanted. I cut out all the pieces before printing and sized my print to fit the pieces.
A stylistically simple design, like my stylistically simple print. I added the obligatory-to-me pockets, ahem; deep inseam ones. These are cut from the same sand-coloured cotton/linen fabric as the dress, but unprinted obviously. The same goes for the bias-cut sleeve ties, and bias neckline finish and the neck facing. There are advantages to printing your own; you can leave it off all the “invisible” bits of your dress, and that is a vast improvement… nothing to show through!
I really like this. I love the sleeves and the simplicity of it for setting the printing off. Lovely as usual. Perfect for the beach!
Someone is getting ready for spring… I love you polka dots dress, you chose a beautiful color combination for the print. The dress looks super comfy and I also love your pockets.
This is sooooooo kewl! I love that you made your own fabric and then got the dress you desired. Wonderful!
super cute.. and i love the colors you choose..
LOVE LOVE LOVE it! This is such a great garment and it displays your fabric print to a tee. Wonderful job.
I love the sleeves, that's a great look!
Very cute!
thanks 🙂
I love your polka dot dress, wonderful and so useful!
OMG, I die. So darn awesome. Love it! I didn't see any pocket pattern pieces. Did you do welt pockets?
In seam side pockets. I didn't print those pieces, but cut them from the plain unprinted fabric 🙂
I agree about the pockets – where else would I keep my hankie and my lipstick? This was when I was at work, now it's more likely my house key, but whatever, I need pockets! I love the design of the sleeves as well. The polka dot print just looks perfect on this pattern, it's a perfect match! I can see why you're feeling satisfied; you should!
this is so great! i love the big beachy polka dots! your print works perfectly with the simple silhouette, love it!
It's lovely. I'm so pleased your dress matched your vision. Isn't it great when it all works out!
I absolutely love it! It's the perfect beachy, polka dot dress. That fabric is to die for! Well done.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that dress forever.
The photo-shoot setting added extra special something to this dress! Beautiful!
I think that is fantastic, fun and I love the way it is shapeless but shapely?? If that makes sense. Mind you feet on those prickles. Jo x
This is so so cute! I've enjoyed reading about your screen printing adventures.
This is so so cute! I've enjoyed reading about your screen printing adventures.
I love your screen printing projects and the gorgeous photographs. The dress is beautiful. I especially love the unexpected split sleeves.
You always create such unique and wonderful garments from these books. I like the screen printing kick you're on right now. I used to screen print when I had access to a shop in graduate school, but I haven't picked it up since. I miss it!
I love this dress! So cute. This is one of my favorites so far. The sleeves are my absolute favorite. I have a couple of these books. Cannot remember if this is one of them. I sure hope so after seeing this dress 😉
thanks so much abailey 🙂
love it…SOOOO cute!
Beautiful!
Ever so beautifully made, from concept to final photography! I have that very book sitting on my coffee table. I have it on loan from the library, along with several other Japanese pattern books. You are inspiring me to give one of the patterns a go! Well done!
WOW!!! This is fantastic in every way! I'm thinking I need this pattern book.
Wow! The polka dots really are giant, but so pretty! I love the sleeves of the dress.
fabulous, and a beach dress what a great choice. Also looks like you matched the dark green dot on the side seams, you clever thing 🙂
Love the fabric and the dress — TRULY, one of a kind:)
Wonderful dress. The print really suits the design – kudos to you!
(Where is Sienna?)
This suits you so well. The sleeves really knock it out of the park – great feature!
I love it, so beautiful
It looks great Carolyn. The dress shows off your print perfectly.
I love this ! Great print and the pattern of the dress (esp those sleeves) is perfect. Spring is definitely in the air.
Rather reminds me of a dress I made last spring out of furnishing fabric. But yours is a million times lovelier. http://janessewandtell.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/shift-dress-toile/
Gorgeous! I love all the polka dotty goodness 🙂
Perfect summery beach dress, love its simplicity and style.
That's lovely. I really like the sleeves (and the print of course). Must revisit my stylish dress book.
Sooooo cute. Love those giant polka dots.
A perfect dress! I am so impressed. And your photography is equally stunning.
I love how the sleeves are! 🙂
I love how the sleeves are! 🙂
I have been eyeing this dress pattern for some time and have been wondering about a grown up version of it. I LURVE your version! Makes me feel hopeful that I can wear this dress too even though I'm probably 3 times the age of the girl modelling the dress in the book!
hehe, if I restricted myself to patterns modelled only by women my age I would have a very limited choice indeed! 🙂
Love your dress in every details! It's just beautiful!
Perfect sundress!
Wow, you are really coming along with this printing. Great dress.
thanks Vicki 🙂
Wonderful, Carolyn. The dress you chose is perfect for your print. So pretty.
Very nice! Especially the pockets!
Wonderful! The sleeves are lovely, but the print is what makes this dress special and unique.
Lovely! Great sleeve detail.
What a fabulous dress! You are inspiring.
thank you Charmel 🙂
Love the polkadots – and in such colours! It's so pretty to look at!
Love your dress! I love the sleeves, especially. Those slits give a special touch, pretty!
I am in love with that sleeve detail and so impressed with your own custom fabric as well. Just a delight to see this one take shape.
I am totally wrapt in the sleeves. I want to make some just like that, so hope you don't mind.
or course I don't mind! I'm looking forward to seeing your version 🙂
This a a-b-s-o-u-t-e-l-y adorable. The print is great! The dress is great. Love it!
I, just like Gail, love those sleeves so much! The dress is a perfect shape to show your print in all its glory. Another lovely proyect Carolyn. Always an inspiration to all of us!
Oh, Carolyn! You are always so inspiring! Love this fantastic idea it was funny, original and different. Love the result!
soooo cute! The bib detail is very nice and sleeves are very well finished!
Simply. Fierce.
Epic as always, Carolyn!
Fantastic! Your color sense can't be improved upon, and you chose the perfect pattern.
absolutely love those sleeves!
The colors and dots are amazing too, very spring.
Simply perfect!
This is beautiful dress, and I see the point in printing your fabric. Nice!
Fantastic fabric & dress! I want that book! Offcourse, I love your blog!
I really like the sleeves on this one. I have that book too but haven't made anything from it yet. I should try one soon!
It's simple dress and a simple pattern, and together they make something so interesting and sophisticated. It looks especially lovely on a beach. Love it, Carolyn!
Love this dress Carolyn! The fabric, the colours, the spots. Gorgeous.
Carolyn, I love this! I love the simplicity of the dress and thank you for showing the back and how it fits!