Eva… why did I wait so long?
The Eva Dress was released by Tessuti 13 months ago and I’m kicking myself it’s taken me so long to sew it up. It’s the perfect summer dress in my eyes. I do love a dress that:
- is high waisted
- has a relaxed fit
- includes an interesting detail – the skirt panels create a lovely lantern shape
- screams to be sewn up in linen and worn with chunky beads and wedges.
With it’s gorgeous lantern shaped skirt Eva is a bit of a fabric eater, but in my books, it’s totally worth it. I used some olive linen from the stash that was originally brought for pants. I usually buy fabric with a pattern in mind, but I rarely stick to the plan. Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this?
Stating the obvious here… I made the sleeveless version (the pattern includes an option for sleeves too). The pattern instructs you to use bias binding as a facing on the neckline, armholes and hem. This ensures all the raw seams are neatly enclosed and only a single line of top-stitching can be seen on the right side of the dress… or no stitching if you hand sew the binding. The more I sew, the less I follow pattern instructions. These days I view instructions more as suggestions! For my first Eva (another version is already planned) I settled on adding visible binding to the neckline, armholes and hem. I raided my liberty stash to add a subtle fabric highlight. I’m really pleased with the result.
I sewed a small in the shoulders and graded to a medium in the bust and skirt. It’s supposed to be a loose-fitting dress, but for my next version I’ll make a straight small. In the last few months, I’ve ‘shrunk’ a little and I’m having to adjust my sizing and fitting alterations accordingly. How does the saying go? Change is the only constant in life.
The dress is drafted to be long (the small is 120cm or 47″ from shoulder to hem) and you can lengthen or shorten the dress through the lower panel. To achieve my preferred dress length, I removed 3 inches from the lower skirt panel.
Pattern: Tessuti’s Eva Dress
Size: Small through the shoulders graded to a Medium in the bust and skirt
Fabric: Linen purchased from Tessuti that’s been in the stash for a while
Alterations: The lower panel of the skirt was shortened by 3 inches
Accessories: Beads from Scarlett Jones & shoes purchased at Siricco.
Another fabulous FO. How is the reduced hemline for maneuverability. Though my main aim for the coming year is to cultivate slowness I do tend to be a strider! What about getting in and out of a car?
I’d love to make the Eva Dress as my 2nd aim is to finally sew for myself, I’ve been skill-building sewing for grand daughter (turning 7yrs). thx for your blog. Lynda
All good questions Lynda. The Eva still allows for lots of striding. I wore mine today on a drive to the country, lunch & a stroll. My movement wasn’t hindered at all. Entering & exiting cars was fine too. I think the wide lantern shape of the skirt makes the hem look smaller than it really is. Good luck with the selfish sewing. I started making clothes for my girls before progressing to making things for me!
You wear these loose dresses so well! You look so stylish in it!
I wore this outfit today Erin and I felt really good in it. I’m hoping to start making Eva number two tomorrow.
Your dress looks very cute – the binding on the neck and armholes really adds a fun and classy touch!
Thanks for your lovely feedback twotoastw. In my books it’s hard to go wrong with linen & a touch of liberty.
Oooo. Nice.. I have this pattern as well and haven’t made it. I keep picking it up and then putting it down…
And I always buy fabric with something in mind only to change said mind..
Great looking dress.
Another fabric change-your-mind-er… Phew I’m not the only one 😊
Lovely dress and the liberty bias binding looks great !!
Ria
I’m really pleased with how the dress turned out, which (bonus) was exactly how I imagined it in my head!
It wouldn’t be a Blogless Anna dress without at least a hint of colourful customisation! I love it. I saw one of these in person recently and the skirt shape is so wonderful. It’s not a length I wear really but… very tempted!
You’ve totally summed me up Jane… and I couldn’t have put it better myself! I’m usually an above the knee dress wearer, only making exceptions for Tessuti’s Lily & Eva. Break the rules… give Eva a go!
I love the splashes of colour on the binding. This makes for a veery stulish dress.
stylish!
I feel very put together in this outfit without effort. And in my books, that’s always a winner!
Gorgeous! The subtle contrast from the binding is just perfect.
Thanks Robyn. I hope the festive season has been good to you. Now the celebrations are over I’m looking forward to some quality time with my sewing machine!
it looks lovely Anna – very cool and comfortable too. I love a bit of a binding contrast – it’s a subtle feature, very nice.
Thanks Karen. I like the liberty with the linen & I’ve used the same fabric types to make a Ruby. Yes, I’m very behind on my blogging!
It’s great Anna. Perfect summer dress. I had a summer linen dress planned but it was a shirt dress so, most unlike me, I made a muslin and ever since then I’ve been paralysed by fit indecision. This dress looks like just the thing for happy sewing and comfy wearing. I love the bias binding your way, nice touch.
I totally get the fit indecision. Can I help in anyway? At least you’ve made a muslin. I really need to make myself some shorts & I’m paralysed with fear about perceived fit issues. Must get over myself very soon…
If you and Anna experience being “paralysed by fit indecision” it is somewhat comforting to me (as beginner) but hmmm also more daunting as this is what is holding me back. Last week I bought the Craftsy class Custom Fitting – Back Neck and Shoulders and hope this will help me move on – I’m very determined to 🙂
So very lovely! And the accessorising it perfect. You’ve done it again Anna!
Those mustard beads & wedges really are accessory workhorses in my wardrobe! They make so many outfits look great. If I could be bothered doing (which I can’t) my top 5 hits for the year this dress would feature.
Ive been stealing- ahem- homaging your contrasting binding on projects! I love your feel for pattern combination.
I think I’ve caught the linen with a touch of Liberty bug… More evidence on the blog shortly.
I love it! Maybe that could cure my fear of sewing solid colors……
Wow, another lovely creation. I love the use of the liberty; makes it individual and gives it that pop! I have made the Tessuti Lily dress out of the same fabric and wish I’d done a similar treatment; it can feel a bit drab so I always dress it up with loud accessories. And yes I constantly buy fabric with something in mind but because my stash is so big and I am a procrastinator I end up making something completely different all the time!!!
Bright accessories are great at lifting outfits. I’m currently trying to buy with a plan & stick to it, but old habbits die hard!
Great dress. I really like the interest the binding adds. This must be so lovely and cool to wear.
Thanks. The dress is very cool to wear. Just need some more warm weather in Melbourne so it can come out of the wardrobe more often!
I’ve been very slack with commenting recently, but I’m loving all your makes at the moment, this one in particular. Such a great colour & style on you. And how perfect is your binding stitching?! Nice work!
I totally understand. Computer time is also time away from the sewing machine! I have five recent projects photographed but waiting to be blogged!
[…] 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 […]
[…] Tessuti’s Sophie Top Size: XS Fabric: Leftover linen from my Eva Dress & liberty scraps Alterations: I removed the single front lapel. Between the underarm and […]
[…] Blogless Anna, whose writing and sewing I love, made a Tessuti Eva dress a few months ago, and it stuck in my mind. I thought if Northeast Ohio ever escapes winter, I might like it for a summer dress. A couple of days ago, on one of my 25 mile drives to accompany a high school chorus, I stopped at Olive Grace Studios, a sweet little quilt shop about ten miles north of my house. There, tucked under the front counter, I found this great linen covered with Xs, sorta sashiko quilting, but not really. It called out “Eva” to me. Link to the dress pattern. […]
Gosh, I hope you can answer this! Like another gal, I cant make up my mind! I bought beautiful lavender linen for a Cadence shift dress from Love Notions patterns. After making a muslin, it is too constricting for summer, even in Canada! Many loose linen dresses remind me of hospital gowns! THE Eva intrigues me. What is the bott circumference, and how did you finish the seams?
Both good questions Catharine. I finished my seams with an overlocker. I’m not sure of the bottom circumference of the dress. I no longer have this dress in my wardrobe as I lots a lot of weight a few years ago and it was too big for me. That being said, it was easy enough to stride around in.
Does it have darts perhaps? Looks good