Flowery Viscose Long Buffet Dress

 In this case, the term came to me after the inspiration for the dress, which may have been the Amelia Dress, or longer versions of the Hinteland, the Mysostis or the Orla dresses... that is to say, I dreamed with a darted, fitted bodice, three quarter sleeves and a long gathered, tiered skirt. Watching The Sewing Bee, I learned the term "buffet dress", which according to Rachel, from The Fold Line, was their own invention! 

After searching everywhere for a pattern that suited my mental idea and finding none, I resolved to hack a previous bodice and sleeves, which I love, to make it open and buttoned and the center front. 

I left the back darts open, for it to be wide enough to pass on and off, and added a knotted belt of the sabe fabric sewn in the back waist. 

 As for the skirt, I used the Orla dress, or rather, I cut a rectangle 170 cm wide (all the fabric width) and 80 cm long, and finally added a two 170 x 25 cm tiers at the bottom, one for the front and another one for the back. 

I had to find the perfect give in the bodice, but with some trial and error found the perfect amount at the waist and bodice. 

I love this dress. It is absolutely perfect in all senses. It is going to be very wearable at my job in the school, specially during all those months between hot and cold. 

Animal Print Viscose Dress

 Hello!

I have been sewing during this pandemic as much as always... but I have missed posting a couple of projects, so here I am to mend that. 

I bought this awesome and bold viscose at Guthrie and Ghani's online shop, where I found some chambray I was looking for (and smartly (?) completed the order with two or three more fabrics). 

When I saw and touched the fabric, I immediately decided of replicating an old pattern from Patrones magazine, which is a successful piece in my wardrobe. 

This pattern has a very interesting bust shaping with a panel inserted in the upper bodice, which I like a lot.

It has the perfect flow for a viscose, as well as length and sleeves... this fabric could be easily quirky in some patterns, but it looks lovely in this one. 

I received good praise in my job, which is the only place I can wear my makes these days... And I feel ridiculously thankful for having that at least, although it means assuming some risk to my health. I also feel that I am contributing to my social group by taking care of the education and emotional wellbeing of children, besides having a good excuse to go on sewing. Life must go on!

Bicolored Viscose Françoise Dress

 This is my second rendition of Tilly's pattern Françoise dress, which is awesome and very becoming in wool or winter fabrics. In this case, it is a viscose that combines black and white threads in an ear pattern that appears mottled grey. I used black silk to make the collar and the lining of the dress, as I did with the previous version. The feeling of silk touching the skin is wonderful. 

I like this pattern because it is becoming to my figure, being fitted around the bust and underbust area and with a flare beginning in the waist to the bottom of the dress. 

I followed the traditional method of marking the pattern pieces with tailor tucks, basting it, trying it on to fit it (no changes had to be made) and machine-stitching it. 

 

Then I constructed the collar in silk and thermofusible interlining and basted it to the right side of the dress. 
In the next stage, I marked the black silk lining with a tailor's chalk and directly stitched it with the machine, leaving one extra cm all around. I put then the lining over the dress on my dummy, right side over right side, and pin it around the neck. I stitched with the machine all the neckline, turn it towards the inside of the dress, and secured it in place with invisible hand stitches under the collar. 
 

I hand-sewed it along the invisible zip and around the sleeves' bottoms. I finished the lining's bottom hem with machine top-stitch along a self-encased turn. 

It is a wonderful dress and I plan to wear it in all my family reunions these holidays. 

I took these pictures after a whole morning working with kids in the winter festival, running up and down and sitting around. It felt as I wore nothing, comfortable and light, and I felt elegant and modern. I love it! I am afraid it is not going to be my last Françoise!