Heaven by name, heavenly by nature? Well, I think it’s a pretty nice dress, at least!
🍓
this is the new Heaven dress pattern by @fibremood; an unusual design with a chic, wide trapezoidal neckline and an interesting combined sleeve/yoke arrangement that I’ve only ever seen in a few Japanese patterns before now.
I’ve learned to overlook the awfully unflatteringly “puffy” line drawings featured in all the fibre mood patterns, because the finished products are invariably not at all like that! anyway I was quite intrigued by the lines of this design… initially, while perusing the promotional photos… see below! I did worry that the sleeve/bodice corner junction at the neckline looked like it might be a little on the tight side… however when you’re wearing it, it’s more like nicely “firm” rather than tight and I think that structure is necessary to keep the neckline in place and also from gaping open. The dress is actually very comfortable and I really enjoyed wearing it! I even got down on the floor and had a play with Arthur in it, and was perfectly fine!
🍓 I also feel like it turned out to be pretty cute too 🙂 I bought the lovely cotton/linen mix fabric from the upholstery section in @spotlightstores … I just fell in love with the gorgeous deeply, dusky-raspberry pink colour and HAD to have it!
🍓This dress really was a fun thing to make, very quick and easy… I like the way the elegant and unique sleeves are set off against a sleek, just slightly fitted body section. I like the sleeves pushed up, but they do look very elegant let down to the wrists as well, I think.
sleeves down
🍓 closure is by invisible zip in the L side seam.
🍓I didn’t line it but to be honest I think it would be better lined, particularly for an “autumn” dress, which it is definitely designed to be. I might even have a go and add a lining somehow, when I get a bit more time… I will update here when I do!
another bonus; all that ugly overlocking will be covered up if I line it!
It has to be lined, a petticoat will not do. I did try it with a few of my petticoats and they all show at that wide wide neckline. Yes, my bra strap shows at the neckline in a few of the pictures here, which I know is such a no-no. However I felt a bit better about this when I noticed that even the model’s bra strap shows too. I’m in good company!
🍓 btw, I did NOT shorten mine, this the length of the pattern. I honestly think they must have added length to the above one modelled for the magazine! Actually, I prefer it as that little bit shorter than knee length… it feels more like an autumn-al length, if that makes sense.
Details:
Dress; the FibreMood Heaven pattern, upholstery linen mix from Spotlight
Shoes; asics, from the Foot Locker
interesting….I’m not convinced that the Fibremood patterns are very good -many seem to have fit issues around the neck and shoulders. Note that the in the model photo the facing is rolling out and showing. That neckline is definitely pretty and I can see this working for a fall season dress.
Yes, you’re correct the facing on the neckline of the model photo is rolling out… I think maybe the sample wasn’t under-stitched sufficiently, or they neglected to stitch the facing to the bodice seam allowances, both of which were stipulated in the instructions!
It’s certainly not a boring old same ole, same ole dress! I like the horizontal back seam of the bodice, not so sure the front bodice really works, it seems a little strained somehow. You’ve done a nice job putting this together though, that fabric is lovely and it’s flattering on your figure.
Hi Mel! yes, your description that the bodice seems strained is exactly what I meant when I wrote that it “looks tight”, however it actually doesn’t really “feel” tight when it’s on. Thank you for your lovely comment! 🙂
It so happens that you’ve stumbled on a shade of red very similar to Nantucket Reds, a line of (mainly) duck canvas and twill bottoms. The dye starts out a soft raspberry and fades with laundering to a gorgeous pale blush, darker at the seams. The fabric ages beautifully enough to make up for the boring cuts.
https://newengland.com/today/travel/massachusetts/nantucket/fashion-summer-nantucket-red/
As to Heaven, I’m charmed by patterns that add a spicy twist to a simple design. I definitely could see the value of a lining, and perhaps a drapier fabric and a wider hemline. Godets? Flared panels? A deep flounce? A wide self belt inset into the back darts?
Anyway, neat dress. I hope you have the magic power to wrangle Arthur and Clara into the same photo some day. If you like a challenge.
thank you, Sanni! Hmmm, Arthur and Clara in the same photo would be quite the challenge!