Scoop neck tiered sundress from a 1970’s pattern
TOTAL TIME COMMITMENT: 7.5 hours
Cut out & transfer all pattern markings: 1.5 hours
Main construction: 5.5 hours
Lining construction, attachment and hemming: none
Finishings (hem): 0.5 hours
PATTERN CHANGES
None
SEAM FINISHING & DECORATIVE EXTRAS
Vertical interior seams – overlock
Raw edges at gathered seam - overlock
Attach bodice facing to rest of garment – stitch-in-the-ditch
VERDICT & LESSONS LEARNT
Very very very simple to make. There are hardly any fit devices on this garment (which also means its not very figure-showing either) and there is no closure - it pulls over the head - so it is very easy to knock togther. This looseness of fit makes it ideal for a very very hot day, or as a cover up over a bikini, both of which I have used it for and its ideal.
I absolutely love the Painters Palette solids quilting fabric as an option for dressmaking. It’s so very easy to sew with, and is ‘substantial’ cotton fabric that is not sheer at all. It seems very hard to find a similar weight cotton in true dress-making fabric.
Did a ‘quick and dirty’ Full-Bust-Adjustment on this bodice, that doesn’t have any darts, by simply lengthening the bodice front and back, then adding two darts. Result is not bad, though darts feel like they are in the wrong place.
VARIATION IDEAS FOR ANOTHER MAKE
I would like the gathering to be more generous than it is – would like to widen each of the tiers to get more gathering into each one
Make in a viscose crepe or a crepe-back satin. The result will be more drapey and the loose fit means seams won’t get stressed.
Similar makes
Square neck pinafore dress
First made August 2021
Navy blue needlecord, lined