Gingham Olive Dress

Pattern: Olive Dress by Untitled Thoughts
Pattern Size: A
My Measurements: Bust 85cm; Waist 71cm; Hips 83cm
Pattern Adjustments: Main skirt tier lined; main skirt tier adjusted to match lining width
Fabric: Main - Gingham Linen Duck Egg; Lining - White Polyester Twill Lining both fabrics from the Fabric Store
Label: circa 2022 and I’M PROBABLY THINKING ABOUT SEWING by Kylie and the Machine from the 2021 Kylie and the Machine Advent Calender
Machines: Innov-is A16 (Brother) and 3034D Lock Overlocker (Brother)

I made a dress! Oh how I love this dress. It flows, has pockets (a must in all dresses) and is beautiful against the skin. I was nervous about making what feels like to me such a bold dress, but now wearing it, feel a little more of myself is coming out of my shell each time I step out in it.

For material I decided to splurge and invest in some beautiful duck egg gingham linen from the fabric store paired with my go to lining at the moment, a soft polyester twill that has beautiful drape and is a lovely touch against the skin (it is also $8/m which is always a win).

Based on my measurements I cut a size A bra friendly version with bottom ruffle and used the zero waste paperless guide instructions for drafting the skirt tier and ruffle. Due to the linen not being fully opaque I lined the main skirt tier along with the bodice. I was limited on available lining width so the main skirt tier is approximately 10cm smaller (5cm front, 5cm back) than recommend, due to the gathered nature of the dress this didn’t affect the overall look.

The construction was straight forward, the instructions are well written and have a little commentary added providing a personal touch to the writing. I added in notches to the zero waste drafted pieces for easy alignment (at half and quarter points) and if constructing again would fold the free end of the straps prior to sewing together for a clean sealed edge finish. I overlocked all seams. Prior to joining the bodice lining to bodice main I attached two cute labels from the 2021 Kylie and the Machine Advent Calender for a small personal touch, and also to help tell the front from the back. This dress would be a wonderful project for the ambitious beginner sewer, with inseam pockets, bodice lining, strap insertion and plenty of gather practice all included in the construction.

I am over the moon with this dress, now wishing summer was extended a little longer to get some more wear in. The Olive Dress was part of my 2022 make nine with the goal to step me out of my comfort zone, it has definetly accomplished that goal, now to build on it.