what’s with the ballet pose? I have no idea. Anyway… I have a Marimekko dress. *pinches self* *sits in reverent silence for a minute*
See, to have a Marimekko dress is something I’ve kinda lusted after for a long long time… I grew up in a Scandinavian style house decorated in modern Scandinavian decor by my everything-Scandinavian-loving parents. White walls, those white Danish “UFO” light fittings; lots of pared-back wood and leather, with simple lines, naif flowers sprouting upon our white bathroom tiles and so I’ve been trained to have an affinity for it from a very early age … When we went to Scandinavia I was quite disappointed to not find any Marimekko fabric during our time there, although to be honest it was a gamble since we didn’t actually manage to get to Finland, the home of Marimekko. All through Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland I harboured vain hopes and searched and searched, obviously coming up empty handed, sob. And I’ve never ever seen any for sale here in Perth; so it’s proven to be pretty elusive stuff! But no more! you CAN get Marimekko fabric in Australia! 🙂
Fabric; Marimekko Pieni Unikko 2 in blue/yellow, and is actually from an Australian fabric store, Yulki’s Home Decor in Hobart, Tasmania, believe it or not! I’m a wee bit sad the brick-and-mortar store is not next door to me! but only a wee bit because the store does (obviously) have online sales. Thank goodness for that! It’s a little price-y but well worth it because it really is absolutely beautiful quality, thick and strong, happily not too thick for clothing, and the colours and prints are of course instantly recognisable, modern day classics, so vibrant and optimistic and happy. There’s a pretty good reason why they are perennially popular and still in production after fifty years… everyone loves a happy vibrant print, and I’m pretty sure I will not be able to resist buying more either *blush*. The currently available range can be viewed here. I’m rather excited to see it comes in oilcloth too… mmmmm, raincoat? *plotting plotting*
I’ve kept the selvedge from off the fabric, and have sewn these inside one of the pockets! just because I love information like this… namely: this design is by prominent Finnish designer Maija Isola, and was created in 1964! out by a year but definitely still of my era, haha. “Pieni unikko” translates literally to “little poppy” I’m not sure what KI 2009 means yet, but I’m investigating…. Also, how cool is it that the laundering info is printed on the selvedge?! so classy and very considerate really, it’s been along long time since I’ve seen such consideration in a fabric. That information’s the kind of thing I usually forget the very minute I swan out of the shop with my new fabric tucked under my wing.
I also sewed this: “The Label” inside my dress… half of me wanted to sew it on the outside, haha! but of course Marimekko is instantly recognisable so there’s probably no need.
hehe, I’ve just asked my husband, and he had no idea! so maybe I should amend that, ahem… instantly recognisable to design and fabric afficianadoes, then!
Pattern; I used dress 108, the cover dress from the Burda 04/2014 issue, also known as the Wings Dress. It’s an interesting design; looks simple but has quite a lot of seaming which I chose to highlight with inset strips of acid-yellow cotton voile, bought from Calico House. My method for framing pieces with contrasting inset strips like this is here… and my method for edging those pocket openings as part of the side seam inset strip is here… I also edged the neckline, armholes and the lower hem and edges of the overskirt in yellow cotton as well. The dress closes with a long navy blue invisible zip in the centre back. I agonised a bit over the colour to use here, the contrasts in the colours of the print are all pretty extreme! yellow? blue? black? white? aaagh, so hard. The navy blue turned out not too bad, I reckon.
The bodice has princess seams and tiny additional bust darts in the centre front piece that I believe are called a Dior dart. This is the very first time I’ve come across one of these! it just adds a little more nuance to the “shape” in the bodice. Although there is all that shaping by seaming, the design is actually little boxy, believe it or not. I shaped mine a bit more throughout those seaming lines, bringing it in at the waist more and giving a bit more width at my hips. The princess seams in the bodice visually connect to the gore lines in the skirt, which itself has an interesting overskirt feature with the pockets in it. I think it looks quite interesting and pretty and lends the whole dress a slightly sporty “wraparound” feel to it, a bit like a sports or tennis dress.
I finished the raw pocket edges inside the front overlays all with HongKong seaming, because they have a tendency to flap open and show! So, I had to make sure the insides here look as lovely as possible. Binding the seams visually ties the inside with the inset strips on the outside; all those yellow edges everywhere just keeps it all nicely harmonious. Well, I reckon it does…
The loose front pieces also allows you to have these big loose comfortable pockets that you can shove your hands in, while still maintaing quite a slimline dress overall. As a result, the pattern uses very little fabric. I managed to squeeze my pattern pieces out of 1.5m, which is not too bad, not too bad at all, I think *preens oneself on an exceptionally economic layout* I had the merest of scraps left after cutting out my pieces, scraps, I tell you! The pattern has you line the dress, and after a bit of um-ing and aah-ing, I decided to not. Reason? summers here are very hot and I think the breeziness of this lovely cotton fabric is going to be perfect just as it is.
So that’s it! I love it paired up like here with my new white shoes. A little bit sporty, a little bit flower child, a LOT summer; my little bit of Marimekko loveliness is just awaiting to dazzle with ultra mod 60’s chic. Right on. 🙂
Details:
Dress; Burdastyle 108;04/2014 in Marimekko cotton with cotton voile contrast
Shoes; my own design and made by me, details here
Pictured below on Cable Beach, Broome… along with my hat and my new sandals
Beautiful summer dress showing off the Marimekko fabric so well. The contrast piping and binding finishes it off nicely. The white shoes look comfy too! I am not familiar with the pattern, and wonder if it is a full skirt under layer, with the wrap just coming to the front? Or are both skirt pieces sort of 3/4 skirts, overlapping in front??
thank you Judy! there is a full front and back skirt, and the front “wings” are like a third of a front each and everything is sewn together in with the side seams. I hope that describes it? 🙂
A stunning outcome, well done you
thank you, Carmel 🙂
K.I. 2009 means that Maija’s daughter Kristiina Isola came up with this colour combination in 2009, she has actually updated a lot of Maija’s patterns in this way.
I love the dress, it is stunning!
thank you very much for that information, Henni; I did read at some point that her daughter was designing for Marimekko as well, so that makes perfect sense now that I see it! 🙂
this is gorgeous – perfect pattern for the fabric. (had to come to your site directly as could not pin the pocket tutorial from bloglovin feed. and if I save a post I always forget to find it !) well wear
The dress is lovely but you had better put that label out the front and centre. Never heard of Marimekko let alone recognise it! Fabulous flowers and the way you have used the yellow really makes it pop. So clever. I have a Burda dress (actually made it 3 times) that has those little bust darts. I read somewhere you have those when the princess seam doesn’t actually go over your bust, but more to the side.
thanks Vicki! and you’ve heard of it now! Well worth going and checking out the prints; they’re all of them gorgeous, quite iconic, and definitely one of the most recognisable designs to come out of Finland. Along with the Moomins!
Lovely dress! And for those in/near/traveling to Sydney, there’s a Marimekko store in King St!
Gorgeous! Very 60’s. Next time you come to Melbourne you’ll have visit the Marimekko store in Chapel St! I wish they sold their silks btm!
thanks Sarah! Don’t they sell by the metre? that seems… counterintuitive?!
So lovely, you absolutely cannot beat a Marimekko anything, but this dress is a stunner.
The yellow accents really take this from beautiful to stunning! Such a fantastic make out of lovely fabric.
thank you so much Helene! xx 🙂
Fabulous dress, love the print, the piping the style! Perfect! And many thanks for the tutos!
thanks so much Julie! 🙂
I love it! I have never heard of the designer.
thanks Kay!
Lovely dress! I’m not used to seeing you in such a bold print, but the seaming and trim is absolutely perfect to highlight it. And it really would be nice if they’d put the washing instructions on more selvedges!
Love it! The binding detail at the seams is spot on. Perfection.
Lovely, gorgeous eye-catching dress that looks delightfully happy on you! Great idea sewing the info inside the pockets….. and what fantastic pockets! You will have such fun wearing this dress this summer! 🙂
I lived in Finland as a teenager so the Marimekko is instantly recognizable, and you have done an absolutely stunning job! I’m still debating making a Marimekko dress but between yours and Sonja’s (https://gingermakes.com/2015/08/16/marimekko-xerea-giveaway/) I feel kind of outclassed…
that is super cute and I love seeing you in a bright print! the yellow accent is perfect and really shows off the design. I used to see Marimekko fabrics more often here in the SF area but not so much anymore, although there is an outlet store of a housewares store not far from me that sells them at quite a discount. I need to take a second look next time – as I thought of them as mostly for home dec. Also, hidden gems in those past issues of Burda mag….
This dress is just soooo happy! What a wonderful print and a wonderful dress!
Amazing and beautiful dress, it just makes you happy looking at it.
Marimekko design is beautiful! The red version is which I know but the blue one is so happy, too. You made such a good use of only 1,5m! Sadly I cannot wear bold contrasts, but a raincoat?? Such a good idea!
This is such fun dress!
thank you Claire! xx 🙂
Oh Goodness, I am ***SWOONING***. Yes, this is brilliantly happy and all kinds of everything I love! LOL…there are those that know and recognize Marimekko…ME, ME…and we do APPRECIATE!!!
And can I just say, I think the pattern choice is perfect! It’s almost a little bit retro feeling and suits the fabric, the print, the colours, just right!
Again, you nailed it Carolyn!
I love the vibrant happy print too and those yellow inserts are just fabulous. As always, another masterpiece. Beautiful dress – you look gorgeous!
I loooooooooooooooooove the fabric!
Wow Carolyn this is just beautiful, the attention to detail and the vibrant colours.
Great frock – and thanks for the heads up re source of Marimekko prints in Australia
thank you Theresa! 🙂
It’s beautiful! I love the unikko print too! You can buy the fabric online directly from marrimekko Australia and also in store at the Melbourne shop in Emporium. Make designed objects also sells the fabrics although they have a slightly smaller range.
thank you Laura! 🙂
Amazing dress! I love the fabric, so fresh and vibrant colors, and you’ve chosen the right pattern for it.
Totally amazing! The yellow inset strips really highlight the beauty of the pattern. My goodness you are so creative! And the fabric is gorgeous – I’m glad you finally found it because it really worked well with this pattern.
Shut. The. Front. Door. Born and raised Finn speaking. That’s a fantastic use of this bold print! I don’t recognize this colorway, but the pattern Unikko is unmistakable.
As you say, authentic Marimekko cotton wears like iron, for years. (Except the sateen weave ones, which suits low-laundering applications such as window drapery better.) You can skip underwear on the hottest days.
This is a very modern, clever interpretation of two classics: a princess seamed sheath and a Marimekko print.
I like how the waistline slants downward. A subtle but flattering detail. The yellow insets also underscore the print. I like it a lot.
Oh, and had you noticed that Gucci has just made crazy prints the bleeding edge of fashion? You’re ahead of the curve.
thank you so much Sankati! as you’re a born and raised Finn I’m extra thrilled that you like what this Aussie has done with it.. I adore Marimekko and only wish it was easier to get a hold of it here. the Burda dress design is a clever one… Burda has such a vast range, with lots of interesting styles with something a bit “different” about them, once you really look there are so many clever little details worked in here and there. Something for everyone.. Long term fan speaking here, as well as of Marimekko 😉
Such an awesome dress! Love Marimekko designs, and I love how you used the fabric. Nicely done!
Beautiful as always. I love Marimekko too and that print is my favourite
Simply beautiful! The yellow accent is perfect. Well done! Such a lovely Marimekko dress <3
thank you so much Anne 🙂
I need to get my hands on some Marimekko fabric … this dress is so so full of joy without ever being over the top
Stunning dress, the fabric is awesome and you’ve really done it justice with this dress
thanks so much Lynsey xx:)
Perfection, as always!
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Gorgeous dress and love the yellow.
Okay, I’m trying to stay calm but I really want a dress like this! I’m going to seriously look out for some Marimekko fabrics now, I hope there is something frottee like available. For so long I will adnire your piece of art, you’re totally right, everything is super harmonious! You did a great job!
Love the pattern and print! The yellow finishing tape (I’m not sure it’s piping) really compliments the dress.
thank you Jeff! Yes, you’re right; the yellow is not piping; it’s more like an inset strip, sewn into the seams so as to visually “frame” the pieces;. I wrote a tutorial on how to do this here, framing with inset strip
This is just beautiful……the fabric, the fit, the style……everything. You look lovely!
You really have a talent for lining up the best possible fabric with the best possible pattern where everything just comes together so stylishly and beautiful! This fabric is so bold and beautiful. I’m drawn to bold prints but then I get afraid of them since I haven’t worn them before. I need to try though. This dress looks fabulous on you. Please come see my blog Carolyn!!! I finished my sweater. It is you have inspired me to knit and I want you to see what I made. It has it’s mistakes, but I love it. 🙂
I love the yellow and blue! It is quite different to what you usually wear but lovely. The yellow trim just finishes it off beautifully.
FREAKING STUNNING.
Gorgeous shoes!
Such a nice look!
The “inset” trim detail is brilliant — clever girl. You do beautiful work!
Hi! And greetings from Finland!
I like what you’ve done with marimekko fabric! It’s so different than the clothes the brand produces. Myself I’m not very fond of unikko-fabric, seen it way too much!! It’s been such a huge hit here since marimekko began to produce it again.
But to the letters and numbers K.I. 2009 on the selvedge. I assume the letters refer to Kristiina Isola. She’s the daughter of Maija Isola and they have both designed prints for marimekko, Both independently and together. 2009 very probably refers to year when this fabric and color combination was first designed and produced. The original unikko fabric is from 1964, as is printed in the selvedge. I’m not sure if pikku unikko was originally produced in 1964 or is both the size and the color combination on your fabric from 2009. Unikko has been a huge success here in Finland and it’s been produced in several different colors and also the size of the print varies.
And if you ever find you way back to Finland/Scandinavia you must go to a Marimekko store to buy their fabrics. The fabrics aren’t sold anywhere else but in the brand’s stores.