Creation: Indigo and Mini Stripe Voile Bias Dresses

Fabrics Used: Indigo Voile and Mini Stripe Voile

The Visionary: Rebecca, SewPomona.com

Our Thoughts:  Rebecca from SewPomona.com made a couple of sophisticated bias dresses using our voile. We love them!

 

 

I don’t think I’ll ever tire of wearing indigo. I just love this color! I’ve made myself two more self drafted bias cut tube dresses. The first in the indigo seen here and a shorter version in a black and white mini stripe. Designing and sewing my own patterns is so enjoyable.

I shop at Organic Cotton Plus regularly for organic and sustainable fabrics and love the transparency of this company’s sourcing. Be sure to check out their Peace Silks too- the colors are just AMAZING!

I went with the voile for this project for two reasons:

• I wanted to explore layering with the slightly sheer fabric
• I wanted a lightweight casual silhouette for the summer.

 

 

Fabrics used:

• 2 yds. Organic Cotton Voile, Indigo 56″, 2.6 oz.
• 2 yds. Organic Cotton Voile, Black and White Mini Stripe, 2.5oz.
• Bias Binding cut from both fabrics

This fabric is just slightly sheer making it require lining or a slip. The weave is lovely and the fabric has a great hand. Easy to sew and work with. I loved the selvedge edges on these fabrics so I decided to incorporate that into the design. I lined up my pattern to the selvedge and then sewed my bias long seam with a french seam leaving the selvedge to show through. I love how this really brings your eye around the seam.

 

 

I’m really loving this pattern.  For this version of my bias dresses I altered the patterns fit slightly and changed the neckline. I also finished these dresses with bias binding on the neck and arm. I cut the dresses at two different lengths, the indigo is approx. 42″ from the underarm and the shorter version is 33″. Because of the width of my fabric (56″) and the fact that I was keeping the selvedge intact it was necessary to add an additional seam on the side. I cut that side seam to match up perfectly (under the armhole) and used a french seam. It’s hardly visible since your eye goes straight to the bias seam. I finished both edges by serging and then doing a small hem.

 

 

 

 

For some reason the mini stripe dress came out slightly boxier then my indigo version. It may just be the lighter color though and the shortened length. I could only take in the seams so much without messing up the fit so I decided to make a self tie matching belt in both colors to cinch in the waist. I cut the neck and armholes slightly wider to show off the blue dress underneath. I love how this ties the dresses together. I made the long belt reversible so I could tie it many ways.

 

 

 

I really like the dresses layered together. I’m planning on making a few more to mix and match. I just love this silhouette. Plus these hardly wrinkle at all after ironing so they look great all day.

 

 

I think the shape is so flattering and the color of this indigo is just perfect for me. I need more of this shade in my wardrobe!