Where has the week gone! We had a holiday on Monday (“Family Day”), which I spent watching movies and sewing … then it was back to work and not knowing what day it was – pure chaos!
But I have finished 1/2 of my Day and Night Dress Challenge – the “Day” part – it’s time for “Coffee”! If you would like to learn more about the Day and Night Dress Challenge, head over to Elizabeth Made this … right here!
It will be interesting for me, making two dresses so close together, to discover which pattern I enjoyed making more and which dress I enjoy wearing more! (There are always favourites!)
So to refresh you on last week’s post, the “Day” part of my Challenge is made with New Look 6803 in this 100% rayon fabric.
I do love the feel of this rayon but I think I will have to actually wear my Day dress when the summer weather arrives. It is so lightweight!
I marked the pleats after the fabric was cut out and the pattern pieces put away, so although I am perfectly happy with their placement, the pattern and instructions probably say differently. (There’s me following instructions again!)
Neck facing was sewn on and clipped and pressed to the inside.
Stitching on the neck facing.
As I said, this is a lightweight 100% rayon, any pulling on the seams and they might fray and split. This called for French seams! First I sewed the wrong sides together by zig zagging along the edge and pressed the seam …
Then I sewed the right sides together and pressed the seam.
Next the cap sleeves were constructed. I was hesitant to just sew the ends together as instructed though. Such a lovely cap sleeve with no raw edges showing and this is what they want me to do?
So instead, I unfolded the cap sleeve and sewed the seam in one go. Then when the cap sleeve was again folded together and pressed no raw edges showed at this seam.
Beauty.
Except … where the cap sleeve is attached to the dress you can see the raw edges again – so I attached some single fold bias tape to hide the raw edge.
Well, I’m happy with it. Although now I wonder who will ever see the insides of my dress!
Finished dress – no I’m not wearing it yet. I want side by side shots of my “Day” dress and my “Night” dress – so you’ll have to wait until my Night dress is finished too … next post!
Are any of you doing the Day and Night Dress Challenge? Are any of you doing a different Challenge? Let us know how it’s going!
Happy Sewing!
STASH BUSTING WITH THIS PROJECT? 1.7 meters (143.3 meters remaining!)
Well done Linda ! I can’t wait to see the dress on you. I was doing this challenge as well with V9147 for my day dress. I had the night dress fabric and pattern all ready to cut out then I saw a different pattern for a top which was calling out for my night dress fabric so I made that instead ! I may or may not have time for the night dress now….
That’s so typical of me. I buy the fabric for one pattern. It sits a while. Then I decide to make something else out of it! So funny! Good luck getting it done!
I had ideas for so many challenges, but life has intervened, so I don’t suppose I’ll finish this one. I also realised that I don’t actually need more dresses, I need useful [boring] separates. Meh.
Yes, active wear would be a good choice for me next. Of course I don’t have much fabric for that and I dread buying more just yet!
no buying, no buying! Trying hard to stash bust!
Yes. Me too!
This is looking lovely and fingers crossed for a hot snap so you can wear it! I’m not doing this challenge as I just didn’t have time, but it looks interesting and I am a bit sorry.
You are busy having fun traveling! An excellent excuse! If you need dresses, this certainly is motivation.
I love the seam finishes you used, you will be so happy with those as the years go by! I like that fabric too, waiting for the second one to be finished so we can see you model them.😊 No challenges for me right now, I have too many quilts going, and I need to get busy on jeans and shirts!
Thank you for the lovely comments. Your quilts are lovely. I don’t know if I have the patience for quilting though! 😁 Jeans and casual tops are on my sewing to do list too. So many distractions!
Hello! This is going to look lovely on, and loving your seam finishes. I wonder why the instructions didn’t say to do what you’ve done, it does make it look much neater. And though no one will see the insides it doesn’t matter because you’ll know and that’s all that’s important. Oh and us, we know too and can admire from afar x
It was an easy pattern. So perhaps they were trying to keep it simple?
I remember that fabric, it was purchased on one of our adventures. You have done it again, I loved the fabric when I saw it and now that it is a dress it looks even better. Looks like that stash is beginning to get smaller….time for another shopping spree.
Yes I bought it over there on my once a year fabric shopping spree. I will be sure to have another fabric shopping spree this summer. It’s important to a fast to have a break once in a while!
What a beautiful dress. I love the fabric and the design is lovely. Rayon is really nice to wear in the summer. I can’t wait to it alongside your “Night” dress. I am going to take part in the Sewcialists “Sew Stripes” challenge. I have 2 lots of striped fabric but am in London soon so might have to use it as an excuse to visit Goldhawk Road. 🙂 Xx
Thank you! I saw that Challenge and was thinking of the two lots of striped fabric I have. But then I need dresses more at the moment! Good luck with your Challenge! 😁
I love that you zig zagged the first step of the French seam – I don’t think I have seen that anywhere else, but I did it also with a ‘ravel prone’ rayon. I will watch the day and night dress challenge from the sidelines – separates are in my plans at the moment!
Yes, I do a lot of things that aren’t “right”! 😂 but they work for me. I’ll be darned that seam breaks after I’m done with it! I have some tops and pants on my sewing to-do list. Such a long list! Good luck with your projects!
Love your sneaky addition of binding inside to cover raw edges…it will be more comfortable too!
While I don’t have time to sew for myself, I love watching along like the others to see your creations and techniques…great job!
Thank you! I love reading your blog for all the wonderful sewing techniques you provide to us!
Great dress. Love the print!
Thank You!