Washi Dress V 1.0

I'll interrupt this regularly scheduled sewiversary programming to bring you....

my NEW WASHI DRESS (version 1)!!

Ok, lets be honest here. I was VERY reluctant to buy a PDF pattern for $16. I prefer the ones that cost $3- $8 dollars, with the Colette PDFs at the top (and well earned) end of the range at $14. This pattern first caught my eye because its very similar to a ready to wear dress that I own but don't wear as frequently as I would like to because its just a tad bit too short. I resisted buying the pattern due to my deep seated cheapness thriftiness, but once it started warming up I totally caved and clicked the purchase button. 

Did I have a little buyers remorse? Only until I made my first version! I LOVE the dress and its nice to be able to support an independent pattern maker. Made by Rae has patterns for different types of sleeves on her blog, plus this can be made sleeveless, in longer or shorter lengths, and the pattern included pieces for a different type of neckline. I know I will make several version of this pattern and probably one or two for my sister or friends, so I think I'll get my money's worth. Also, I made it out of three dollar sheet, so there is that! 

Ooooooooooof cooooooourse, I made some changes. The pattern is sized from and XS- XXL (32- 44 inch bust), which I greatly appreciate! I love it when pattern companies accommodate a wide range of sizes (though, of course, this isn't all-encompassing by any means). Though the bust measurements should have just barely fit, I was concerned the waist would be too small and I did want it to be a bit loose fitting, as inspired by my original ready to wear dress. So, I added .75 inches to the center front of the bodice and skirt pieces. I meant to add .75 inches to the center back but I forgot and it worked out just fine. I suspect that my back is smaller than my front, though I'm not sure how to figure that out. Sorry I'm standing to so wonky up there. 

I love, love, love the cute little cap sleeves. I'm not a huge fan of going sleeveless, so these are the perfect compromise for those baking southwestern summers. I was a little hesitant about the pleats since I just don't really have any clothes with pleats, but I really like them. On the inspiration dress, the skirt is gathered in both the front and back and I may try that on a future version. Also- POCKETS!! And the pockets are not a separate pattern piece, but rather are just included as part of the skirt pieces. This was SO MUCH easier than my last pocket making experience (the Tiramisu).

For a sheet, I think this is some pretty awesome fabric. I actually bought it at a friend's grandparents' estate sale, so thats kind of awkward. But seriously, they had the BEST linens. And my friend appreciates a good upcycle so she isn't offended by my usage of her grandparents sheets. Ok, this is getting a bit creepy... no?

So yeah, the serger hasn't gotten old yet. This dress finished up so quickly and nothing frays! Its practically a miracle! This was (I think) my first facing experience and I'm a bit on the fence about it. Obviously I could do some bias binding on the next version... something to consider. There was also this weird thing in the pattern where you cut out the darts before you sew them up. I was a bit confused at first, but it worked out pretty well. 

Also, I kind of hate shirring, which is what this pattern calls for to give the dress some shape in the back. Its hard to do, I think it looks kind of cheap (don't hate me!), and its fails pretty easily when the elastic thread inevitably snaps. Plus, the shirring goes pretty far up the back, which I didn't think would look to good on me. I just did a simple piece of thin elastic stretched across the back using a zig zag stitch at the same latitude as the waist seam. I'm not 100% sold on this looking much better, but it does the job and was significantly easier and will hopefully last longer. 

So, thats my Washi story. I've already made another. Out of a sheet. I think this is the perfect pattern to showcase a bold print, and there is nothing quite as awesome as a bold print in the summer! Go forth and make one for yourself! And speaking of going forth and making stuff... can someone please chastise me for not even having ordered the patterns or fabric for the quick dry skort and possibly tops and sports bras I want to take on my big river trip that is LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AWAY? I seriously need to get on that.