I screen-printed this random murky-coloured block fabric last year, and have finally got around to making it into something. At last! The 5-colour print is my own design; and in fact the dress is my own design too 🙂
Originally I had cut the ivory cotton into vaguely sheath-dress-shaped pieces to help me size and place the print.
Inevitable then, that I would go off the idea of a sheath dress … and eventually I dreamed up, well; this! It’s a blocky sort of a print, and a blocky sort of a dress in design too, with all straight lines and edges throughout and not a single curve to be found! The style lines have been marinating in my head for a few months now and so I’m happy it now has corporeal form.
Maybe I should make a pattern for this. Be a designer.
Bwahaha, kidding!
The side panels are two piece, with the lower one overlapping the upper one so as to create a simple pocket that extends into the side seams. The design is fairly unstructured and unfitted, boxy enough that I can just pull it over my head without the need for closure. Then to give it some shape I made two little arrowhead tabs that can button at the sides to pull in the boxiness and create a bit of shape at the waist. The domed textured buttons were inherited from my grandmother’s stash.
I think it will make quite a good casual knockabout dress. The fabric is not soft, but quite stiff and thick and crisp and densely woven, so I think it suits this loose but structured boxy style quite well. In retrospect I think I was quite ambitious with my print. But y’know? I’m glad I did have a good go at something a bit tricky, and I like it despite the problems and imperfections. Now I’m thinking I really should get out my screen printing stuff again. Give it another go!
Details:
Dress; my own design, screen-printed by me as described here, on ivory cotton, stiff, thick, crisp
That is fabulous!
Kind regards, SaSa
Beautiful dress Carolyn! I'm thoroughly impressed with both your print and subsequent use of it to design your own dress.WOW! Why not make a pattern!? You are already a designer. That's a brilliant idea!
Team More Screen Printing!
I love how the print is an epic front panel- fierce!
Marvellous! Love the side pockets, very chic!
Beautiful! I love the style lines. You did an amazing job. If you make this into a pattern, I'd be a fan!
Keep up the screen printing, Carolyn! I really love your latest and think it has the wow factor 🙂 🙂
Wonderful dress. The design is very clever and interesting, and really shows off your fabric.
Hi Carolyn !
Your dress is amazing! And this makes me think about the final of our French "Sewing bee" on TV: a great designer came and explained how he makes a dress only with squares of fabric. Here is the video (but I am not sure you can watch it as you are not in France… tell me if you cannot watch it). It is in French but the images speaks for themselves.
http://www.m6.fr/emission-cousu_main/videos/11401736-roland_mouret_explique_le_succes_d_une_de_ses_plus_grandes_creations.html
This is so freaking cool! Rachel 🙂
I remember when you posted this screenprint, and I'm glad you finally found something to do with it! I think the design suits it perfectly. 🙂
That looks fantastic!
This is lovely. I really like how your print is (what I'd consider) classically autumnal colors, but the dress is undeniably springish. Not to mention, the colors suit you very well! The pockets are a clever touch, also. I really like that this basic shape looks so breezy-casual-adult as you've done it, but could be gussied up with fabric choice, but also would make a very nice little girl's pinafore.
Nicely done! I have a soft spot for garments constructed using geometric shapes and straight lines. This design is very effective, and I like the elegant simplicity of the side panel/pocket design. Also, from a distance (when you don't really see the occasional overlapping elements), the blocks of colour are vaguely reminiscent of books on shelves.
that looks great – i am always think a crisp summer dress is a winner.
Blown away beautiful!
Jeannie in Seattle
I'm in love with this dress !
Wow, I am so impressed. Fabric and dress design all in one go!
Love it. The design of the fabric and dress is just great.
Me thinks it is very cool. I can see a Japanese sewing influence in this design. Way to use up your special fabric into something fun and wearable!
I love it and it wou dbe the perfect dress for me as I have larger hips than the waist measurement for a UK size 12 so I could hoick it in to fit my waist. I really like it. What a great way to use that screen print which I thought was only a few months ago! Doesn't time fly.. Jo x
Great dress. Love your patterned fabric. Just perfect for our summer.
Love this!
Lovely! I'm about to get in to some small scale screen printing again. But I've been thinking about working with a larger screen, too. Did you purchase your screen or make it?
thank you liza jane! I bought my screen just as is. I know that some people make their own screens but that is way too clever for me 🙂
I love this style dress. Great for that showpiece fabric. If you don't release the pattern can I have a copy of your draft?? I love it!
Your dress is so beautiful! Love the silhouette and lines and the fabric you designed is gorgeous!
I remember when you screen printed the fabric. The dress is very pretty! Hi Sienna!!!!
You are so clever!
Beautiful and inspiring. You should definitely turn that make into your first pattern. It would be a hit!
Become a designer? You are one.
Simply lovely work. The colours are great on you. The design and colourway is very 70s, and I really love the side pockets. Very sophisticated and home made fabrics are the way to go. I am still stuck on block printing (working on a Christening gown at present) but will do a bit of screen printing this term – you have inspired me.
What a great dress! I love the tabs idea! And the block printing looks like fun and turned out beautifully!
This is so cool and clever! It looks really, really smart. I'd sure take a pattern of this ;o)
Love your screen-printed block design and love your dress design–and they're spectacular together.
Beautiful colours. I like the way the print doesn't go into the side seams. And you gotta love a dress with pockets.
I really love this dress Carolyn. Great design and fabulous screen printing too.
Absolutely love the fabric you designed! The dress is delightful and perfect for the fabric.
Cute dress and print!
I like what you did with the screen print. It's a whole new dimension in creativity to print your own fabrics.
What a wonderful dress! Printing your own design certainly allows you to place your print exactly as and where you want it. Your dress design is very clever! Love those tabs that pull in the waist.
I love the green colors on your fabric! Sometimes the cloth should speak for itself, and I think your dress definitely accomplishes that. 🙂
You go girl. Love it. This dress is clever.
Supercute!!
lovely.
loving the design and the print.
looks interesting and comfortable. 🙂
Love this dress, the colours and design look perfect!
Your dress looks very cool for summer. I like the side ties and the block print front.
Thanks Andrea. The print is on both the front and the back, and the side closes with a buttoned tab 🙂
Hello Carolyn, I like this dress. I admire block print design. Those colors really suit you.
Beautiful! I actually just came to this post from your 2016 All Me Made chronicles to find out which pattern you had worked from on this dress – your own! Even cooler!