I originally bought this fabric simply because it reminded me of limoncello; specifically limoncello partaken after a long day hiking thr0ugh the delightfully bucolic Italian countryside… yes of course it is indeed that most wonderful variety of fabric; souvenir fabric! I bought it in Rome, in the famous Fratelli Basetti Tessuti back in 2012, after our hiking holiday… it is a most gorgeously crisp linen in a sharp, warm, citrusy yellow with the skinniest white pinstripes. I have used a small piece of it previously to make one of my Perth dresses, and so I have learnt that this gorgeous colour unfortunately runs like the the wind! My Perth dress started out yellow and ended up basically beige eventually. Sad, but true. It’s ok though because I’m perfectly fine with giving it a refreshing new dye-bath when the time comes.
The pattern is the FibreMood Feliz. I have to admit I was a little suspicious of how very long the skirt is! and was initially dead set on shortening it just about immediately, but actually? I kind of like it like this. The Feliz has some nice features, specifically I like the curved back yoke and the flat, narrow collar; and I love how the workman-like vibe of those rolled up sleeves clashes stylistically with an almost impractically long skirt. Not that the skirt is really “impractical” in a real life sense but you know what I mean. I’m going to give it a good fair go before thinking about shortening it anyway.
Changes; just a few very minor tiny things.. Because the sleeves are worn rolled up most of the time, I decided to do a flat-felled seam finish on the sleeve seams, The seam allowances are only 1cm so this was a tiny bit tricky! but definitely worth it.
So, here’s a slightly funny thing…. see how the back bodice of my dress pictured below curves down to the side seams? well the pattern piece, below right, is most definitely shaped just to do just this, however, the line drawings of the dress do not show this downward curve. Mmmm…
I made the back yoke double layered and utilised the burrito method to get a perfectly neat finish on the inside. This meant I could also add one of my labels without visible stitching showing on the outside, which is nice 🙂
The slimline, stamped brass buttons are so lovely, I got these from Fabulous Fabrics. I’ve actually used these twice before, for this olive shirt, and this blue shirtdress, now a shirt too. I know I shouldn’t ever be using the same buttons, you should find different ones. But you know when you’re perusing the button selection and you see they still have that super cute button you’ve used before… and you know you’re being predictable and unadventurous but basically one knows a good thing when one sees it and in the end why fight it.
Details:
Dress, Fibre Mood Feliz, in lemon-yellow pinstriped linen from Italy
Tights, made by me here
Booties; nylon from Zomp shoes
Ohh it’s such a beautiful colour! How disappointing that it runs. The dress is lovely, though. The back yoke curve is a nice touch.
thank you! Yes, it’s true I can overdye it when it gets too pale 🙂 the back curve is actually my favourite feature of the dress, I think!
Very pretty and not using the same buttons? I love to buy a bunch of the same and then I know they are sitting in my stash for whatever sewing comes along 🙂
thank you Beth! and yes I believe your philosophy is a really good one! I shouldn’t be frightened of doing the same 🙂
Such a beautiful colour, pity it runs and fades. I love linen too. Have you tried to stabilise the colour with vinegar? I like the length on you. Best regards from a cold, but sunny Basel Anita
thank you Anita! No I haven’t tried vinegar, but I think I will now! thank you for the advice! I’m glad it is sunny for us both, at least 🙂
Very lovely. A beautiful colour for summer. Kind of an icy yellow. I’m sure you’ll feel cool wearing it… In both senses if the word. You’re a dab hand at dyeing when the time comes.
I wonder why pattern companies would use such a photo as you have attached here with the most important parts of the dress covered up. Maddening. You were brave to buy the pattern. I wouldn’t have.
thank you Barbara! Yes, over-dyeing is a good option when the time comes!
You are right about the design being covered up too much in the product photo. It’s something I’ve come across several times before in different pattern companies and I think should be a warning sign actually! I was initially attracted to many things about it and I am very happy with the result though 🙂