Viking Siren Call - YouLookFab Forum

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Viking Siren Call

Beth Ann

Veteran

Viking sewing machine, that is!

As I've been musing on my personal style, while sick with either flu or whooping cough (I kid you not), I realize that much of what I love best is either not in the stores, not in my price range, or not in my size.

I do love to create --- and I used to have some reasonably good sewing skills, with a real strength in fabric selection (and a little less patience for pressing and ripping!). Perhaps summer is a good time for some easy, but fab, projects.

I came across this dress in a Soft Surroundings catalog. https://www.softsurroundings.c.....ank_Dress/

I like it as is, but I'd prefer it in a solid (maybe navy), and with a real shoulder line.

I think the first step would be to find a piece of gorgeous lace as inspiration. Next, I'd need to decide whether to buy or make the tee. Lastly, I'd plan on basting the skirt to the tee, so I can play with the proportion a bit -- the skirt has to look deliberate -- not like it's "tacked on," or my legs will look terrribly stumpy.

Any ideas or feedback? Sewists and those who can't thread a needle are welcome to comment!

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23 replies

Latest reply was from LillyH861

catgirl

Veteran

I went through a phase of sewing fabric to thrifted tops to make this kind of drop waist dress. It would be super easy - and like a Viking, you just forge ahead and conquer!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I really like this style. I know nothing about sewing but I am in favour of this dress for you.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Una: I had no idea you knew your way round a sewing machine! I think the trick is to keep the fabric quality high and keep it simple. There is a fine line between boutique chic and craft show disaster! In the 80's, my mom had two dropwaist shirt dresses. My favorite was the tomato red one -- made of crisp poplin that didn't muss. It was easy to dress up or down and was blissfully cool. Of course, it was the 80's, so we popped the collar.

Thanks, Suz!

Tanya

Veteran

I can totally imagine you on that dress, Beth Ann. Good luck with the sewing project!

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I like the sporty lux of this fit very pretty color.

jenanded

Veteran

The sewing scene -patterns, fabrics, online community - have really come alosng, probably in response to the low quality homogeneity in the stores. This looks pretty and easy so go for it!

Chris987

Veteran

I would think getting the right fit would be the most challenging part of making a dress like this. Basting the skirt onto the top is a great way to experiment with it. I'd vote for buying the top, or if you don't find the right stripe buy an inexpensive one of any color that fits and use that as a pattern to make the one you want. I've sewn on knits a little bit and it takes slightly different skills and stiches than woven fabric. Sounds like you may know that already

You could also make the skirt as a separate piece to wear with the top and then you'd have two new pieces to wear with other things in your closet...making a skirt would be even easier than attaching it to a top.

Sounds like fun! Keep us posted on your progress...

RobinF

Veteran

I think that could be a great dress. And I can really picture it in a plain color. I would be tempted to use a purchased top because then you know you like that much of it and if the skirt part doesn't work you at least still have the top.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Beth Ann, you are brilliant! (And Una, too!) I would not have thought of sewing the skirt to a tee. The fabric looks like it could be eyelet with a border on it. I think the project seems fairly simple.
I do have a pattern like the dress you want: Textile Studio Patterns Provence Dress.

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carter

Veteran

What a great idea! My sewing skills are quite rudimentary, but I went through a phase in the 90s in which I did something similar to all my curtains and shower curtains. I hope you give this a shot. You've inspired me to at least ponder the idea of pulling out the sewing machine. How do you feel about the scalloped hem? That would surely be my undoing...both in my measuring nerdiness and lack of patience. Would you try to do it or keep it simple and straight?

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement! This would be a fun boost to my wardrobe and, since I could play with the proportions, I think I could get a result I'm happy with. The first trick would be to find the skirting fabric!

Carter: The scalloped edge here is part of the fabrication -- go into even a Joanne's and you'll see loads of bolts with a scalloped edge -- lace and eyelet. All you do is cut the length, figuring the final length. No need to hem at all!

Jen: There is so much more support for sewing nowadays. My mom and her best friend were sewing buddies when I was growing up. They would "pop back and forth" between each other's houses, solving sewing dilemmas. My mother even sewed my doll clothing to match mine.

Chris and Robin: It would be much easier to find a tunic tee already made. I think the lace is the key, though. Making a tee isn't difficult, so if I need to to get a good "match with the lace, that's OK.

Sharan: Is that a tencel? I love the way you placed the blossoms! I'll check out the pattern. I do have a piece of lovely dress weight Ponte di Roma, which might work for the top. It's a gorgeous true navy. I love navy eyelet, too. As I mentioned before, I think finding the skirting fabric is the first step. I'm also creating a short queue of potential projects that would be a creative, but manageable reentry to sewing for me. More to come later!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great dress. I can SEE YOU IN IT, Beth Ann. Can I have one too?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Can't sew but love your plan.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Yes, my dress is tencel. I definitely understand the queue of projects . . .

catgirl

Veteran

Beth Ann, I used to quilt and make some of my own clothes of the lazy slam-together type as well as fleece jackets, zipper bags and totes. Mostly just a hobby and for gifts. Alas, time and space and interfering pets don't allow me to indulge that often. Like you, I prefer selecting fabric and basic construction to details like binding and machine quilting or setting. :).

Like this:

http://refashionista.net/2013/.....one-dress/

Or this (for a little girl but can do the same for an adult):

http://www.itsalwaysautumn.com.....-ever.html

rachylou

Veteran

Yeah, in all one solid colour, I can see it!

Anonymous

I love the idea of the dress in a solid colour. It would suit you. I think to get you back into sewing that it is a good idea to source the top and add the lace. Jersey is often tricky and to start with a project involving it could put you off.

lyn67

Veteran

Gorgeous ideea, I would like it in one color(for ex, white/navy, coral...etc)

Beth Ann

Veteran

Una: Love the refashionista and I pinned that for later! I do think she must be tiny. Let's just say that thrift shopping, when you're a size 14, often means you just really look like your grandma. I do love her prolific creativity. Crafty Una? I see a whole 'nother side of you!

Ah, yes, Sharan! The trick is to have options that will increase the likelihood that I'll complete one. And to avoid the "dreamlist," which I'm quite familiar with!

Diane: I do pretty well with stable knits or those with moderate stretch, but I don't own a serger. I also notice far more (i.e. ridiculous) amounts of stretch in tshirts in ready to wear. I think I need something with a bit of structural integrity, while retaining a good drape.

Rachy/Lyn: Yeah, not a bit fan of the casual stripe with the lace on me.

Sara L.

Veteran

No sewing advice, but I wanted to mention that I had whooping cough about 3 summers ago. I was pretty shocked. It turns out there was an unvaccinated kid at my middle child's preschool that I must have got it from. The preschool had sent out a letter when the child came down with whooping cough but it never occurred to me to worried about myself and I knew all my kids were vaccinated. It took forever to go away even with antibiotics. I think I coughed through most of that summer even though I didn't really feel bad.

DonnaF

Veteran

Ya know, Beth Ann, I was SURE you'd gotten a call to play Viking sexpot in a Scandinavian opera somewhere. . .I was just picturing the dramatic helmet. . .So disappointed you were referring to your sewing machine.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Yes, Sara! Turns out we need boosters. Now, they've just put the pertussis back into the tetanus shot booster they give adults, but they used to not do that. I waited a few extra days to teach, but, truthfully, most of my students are better protected than my friends.

Thankfully, my cough seems to be receding. I have a lot of singing to do in a few weeks. It's murder on the voice!

LillyH861

Fun look! If you could hem the top maybe 2.5 inches it would be even more perfection.