A splash of colour
Whether I’m in an urban setting or hiding amongst the flowers… you can’t miss me in my bright dress.
I’ve never been one to shy away from bright colours and when I saw this orange linen remnant at Tessuti in the after Christmas sales I knew it had to come home with me.
I often buy a piece of fabric and then sit on it for a while before making the final decision on a pattern. Not this time. The fabric was washed, matching thread was purchased, I traced out the sleeveless bodice from Tessuti’s Eva Dress (a size smaller than my last Eva) and in a matter of days, I had a new dress.
Ah yes, this is an Eva pattern hack. It’s the time when an Eva bodice met a simple gathered skirt and happily became a summer sundress.
I cut out the bodice and then used all the remaining fabric on the skirt. The skirt is the full width of the fabric and I placed the single skirt seam at the centre back. Did you notice the deep hem? I have a bit of a thing for those at the moment.
I bound the neckline and sleeves with stripey red binding. I like adding touches like these to my makes as:
- you can often get away with using much less of your fashion fabric (like in this instance)
- I find it easier to understitch the binding on fabrics that aren’t the same colour/pattern, particularly at night (might need glasses?); and
- let’s face it, it’s pretty and it makes me smile
Pattern: Tessuti’s sleeveless Eva Dress bodice with a simple gathered skirt
Size: Small
Fabric: Linen remnant purchased from Tessuti
Alterations: None
Accessories: Liberty Scarf & shoes by Sonia Rykel (brought here)
Fabulous!! I love the dress (gorgeous linen score!) and the purple aggies are such a perfect contrast – love it! 😉
Thank Nic. I can’t help be feel happy when I wear this dress!
Gorgious dress,gorgious colour,love the scarf !!
The scarf was a happy birthday present to me this year. I’m quietly hoping it will be a family heirloom one day.
The orange linen is delicious and again your photos are lots of fun!
We have fun taking the photos Barbara. I had the blog photos outfit in mind even before I sewed the dress!
Beautifully flattering dress. You wear orange very well. Lovely photos too.
Thanks Jean Margaret. I know that orange isn’t a colour that everyone can pull off and I feel blessed that I can.
You are on a gorgeous frock roll! I love the binding finish BTW- it’s like a secret surprise!
And side note: your deep hems have totally inspired me. My latest frock has been cut out with an extra 10cm for a deep hem. Sassy!
I sewed three frocks last week. This week it’s all about shorts! Can wait to see your sassy hem…
You’ve absolutely nailed ‘your’ colours…not to mention ‘style’ . The agapanthus photoshoot is inspired – love the contrast with orange and purple-blue.
Thanks Anne. This dress is all the things I like about summer – dresses, linen and bright colours!
Great color! and love your dress.
Thanks Coco.
Very happy dress! You sure have been busy
Slowly sewing myself a new wardrobe that fits. Shrinking is a good excuse for lots and lots of sewing!
Oh wow, what a gorgeous dress! You did a wonderful hack of the Eva. I must remember that. And of course getting yourself, in your orange dress, photographed amongst the agapanthus – well, the combination is perfect!
I’m a hack convert now Melissa. There will be more of these in my life!
A striking dress and such a great idea to use the bodice of the Eva for it.
Thanks Anna
Loving this orange dress, goes beautifully with those stunning flowers.
Thanks Louise. The flowers were a happy photo-shoot accident.
Orange is one of my favourite colours at the moment. I really like your dress. It looks lovely on you.
Oranges is a fav of mine too.
Gorgeous as always – love the colour and the pattern hack. I never think about hacking patterns, I really should. And what’s with the deep hems – they look great, but do they serve a higher purpose I need to know about??
It’s my understanding that a deep hems gives the bottom of a skirt/dress weight and helps it to hang better. I’m happy to be corrected though.
[…] though to get the subtle gathers I used fabric width of 1.5 times my waist measurement. Inspired by Anna, the hem is 4 inches deep and provides a lovely fullness to drape. I also added pockets and these […]
I’m totally loving deep hems at the moment too, although I’ve not tried anything as deep as yours! Love the colour of your frock – it’s gorgeous on you!
Thanks Michelle. I’m finding the deep hem rather addictive… just like this whole sewing caper.