The Saltspring Dress

I was participating in the Saltspring Dress Sewalong held over at the Sewaholic website. I completed it this weekend, take a look!

 

  

This pattern is perfectly drafted. I made no alterations and cut a straight size 4. It fits amazingly in the bodice! This is the third time I've sewn a Sewholic pattern and all times I've never made adjustments. 

I did however alter the straps so they tie at the front using Caroline's idea from one of her variations, which involved sewing both straps to the back and making a loop at the front. (She's Tasia's aide over at Sewhoalic Patterns, and yea she's got the same name as me!) I guess one other thing I did was lop off a bit on the end of the ties because they're too long for me otherwise.

The fabric is a polyester crinkle fabric from Fabricland. It's got such a lovely pattern! I didn't try to match the pattern at the side seams but rather made sure it was centred down the middle of the front and back. I also took care to line up the pattern for the back seam.

I used Bemberg lining throughout the dress and added a skirt lining even though I didn't really need it. I used the lining method suggested by Caroline. I handstitched the entire lining down to my zipper tape though as I prefer not to have things flying around loose! Linings make everything feel so lovely and luxurious! Well worth the extra effort.

I am definitely going to get a lot of wear out of this dress. It's going to transition well into autumn with a pair of tights. I'm warming up to the idea of having more wearable dresses with elastic at the waist. When done well, elastic waists don't have to be tacky. I ate so much food today wearing this dress. Couldn't have done that with something like my Lonsdale or one of my other projects!

What a way to kick off the end of summer -- I've got a new dress and successfully participated in another sewalong.

I do have a funny story to tell about the Saltspring dress though...One day this summer a couple of weeks ago, I went to Spool of Thread to buy the pattern. When I go shopping for sewing related things, I have a laser focus and bounce from one thing to another in the store with blinders on. I take notes in my notebook and muse about future projects as I feel up the fabrics. I was pretty quick with my purchase since it was the only thing I wanted to buy that day. 

So I go up to the cash register and the person working asks me if I was ready with my purchase. I said, "Yes. Just this pattern. I'm going to join the sewalong!" The employee at Spool of Thread says something like, "Oh, well the creator of the patterns is right here!" 

I turn my head to the left and there is Tasia! Standing right next to me! She had been at the store earlier than I had been, purchasing fabric and I didn't even notice her the entire time I was there until I got up to the register. My mind froze. Here standing before me was one of the local sewing "celebrities" that I admire for her talent and all the hard work she's put into her own small business. 

I tried to chat with her as calmly as I could but I was so nervous and felt like a buffoon. So Tasia, if you ever get to read this, I think you're awesome and you're as friendly in real life as you seem from your blog. That was the highlight of my week to get to meet you! Thank you for creating Sewaholic Patterns. It's been great to follow along all these years through your journey and sewing your patterns has brought me great joy.