This black dress was hand-sewn using a pattern from the book: One-Piece Wearables: 25 Chic Garments and Accessories to Sew from Single Pattern Pieces. When I started hand-sewing clothes, I was attracted to any simple pattern with just a few seams. It was much less intimidating than a complex garment with sleeves...So this little black dress (shown here worn in cooler weather) has only one seam in the back.
The fabric is a linen cotton mix and easy to sew. It is entirely constructed with a simple running stitch in contrasting thread and the design works with everything I have. The dress is an A-line cut, but even the smallest size in the book made me look like a three person tent, so minor adjustments were necessary. With two pleats in front and an improvised construction in the back (see above), it worked great. It's my three season dress and can be layered with a long sleeve shirt and another skirt underneath to make it suitable for cooler weather.
Sheila Brennan's idea of "One-Piece" garments is great, however, it usually means, that you need very large pieces of fabric and you'll end up with a lot of scraps. Which is fine with me, because I always need scraps, but there's definitely more waste with this concept than I like to see. It's also quite hard to find recycled fabric pieces this large.
Was the book worth it? It was for me, because the dress with just one seam in the back is brilliant. I enjoy clever ideas and recognize they usually don't come in bulk. The book features some interesting tops and a very unique hat as well, but for me, the dress is the star.
Here's the information:
One-Piece Wearables: 25 Chic Garments and Accessories to Sew from Single Pattern Pieces
Sheila Brennan
# ISBN-10: 1592533442
# ISBN-13: 978-1592533442
The fabric is a linen cotton mix and easy to sew. It is entirely constructed with a simple running stitch in contrasting thread and the design works with everything I have. The dress is an A-line cut, but even the smallest size in the book made me look like a three person tent, so minor adjustments were necessary. With two pleats in front and an improvised construction in the back (see above), it worked great. It's my three season dress and can be layered with a long sleeve shirt and another skirt underneath to make it suitable for cooler weather.
Sheila Brennan's idea of "One-Piece" garments is great, however, it usually means, that you need very large pieces of fabric and you'll end up with a lot of scraps. Which is fine with me, because I always need scraps, but there's definitely more waste with this concept than I like to see. It's also quite hard to find recycled fabric pieces this large.
Was the book worth it? It was for me, because the dress with just one seam in the back is brilliant. I enjoy clever ideas and recognize they usually don't come in bulk. The book features some interesting tops and a very unique hat as well, but for me, the dress is the star.
Here's the information:
One-Piece Wearables: 25 Chic Garments and Accessories to Sew from Single Pattern Pieces
Sheila Brennan
# ISBN-10: 1592533442
# ISBN-13: 978-1592533442
Also made 2 more scarves to test the pattern one last time and it is just about ready. It will be available on the blog in the next day or two - as soon as I get the infrastructure in place..... don't these things always take so much longer than expected?
What an interesting idea - one seam! This dress looks fabulous on you and your scarves are perfect with it. It drapes so nicely that I thought it was a cotton knit. I will have to take a look at that book!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Vicky!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. You hand sew clothing? You're my hero, and I want to know more about this. Any tips? Good fabric/thread choices? I must do this!
ReplyDeleteditto mollie's comment! i love the dress and it looks fantastic...i am working on a skirt, but a dress would be grand...i am a chicken when it comes to sewing clothes though....lets see more of your creations...beautiful.
ReplyDeleteoh, Kathrin, this is a beauty! And it looks fabulous on you. I *really* want one of my own :o)
ReplyDeleteI discovered your blog not long ago and am really enjoying it. Your little black dress is amazing and I'm off to find a copy of the book you found it in. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletehi again kathrin...just bought this book as i loved this dress...which pattern did you use? could you tell me the #? i think i know, but want to make sure...as i said, i am not a seamstress and definately not when it comes to clothes, but i MUST try this....it's a challange!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Sharon! I made the "Window Shopping Dress" on page 26. I'm 5.2" and it reaches down to my knee. If you're taller and want it this length you will have to adjust the pattern. Also added the two front "pleats" at the waist and the "construction" in the back to hold in the dress a little more. It looked like a tent on me and now it's a more like a tunic. The cut is very generous. The seam in the back is done in no time and you can buy ready-made bias tape to hold in the armholes and neckline. The bottom was just hemmed.
ReplyDeleteLet me know how it is going. If you get stuck, just drop an email.
thanks! i want to try this...i am 5'5" so i may need to adjust it also...i love it!
ReplyDeleteHow am I ever going to get anything done? Your blog is so fascinating..I've bookmarked almost everything so I can come back to it when I have more time to give full attention! Again, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis is so fabulous, though I am kinda feeling like I can put it together without the book - though maybe not in one piece! I love the contrasting stitch...
ReplyDelete