Thursday, July 3, 2014

Floral Coastal Breeze

Who wants to see a third Coastal Breeze dress? What if I tell you that I've almost achieved TNT status with it? And that it's made in my most favorite fabric of all time?


You can see my first version here, and my second here. This is the Coastal Breeze pattern, by Make It Perfect. I could wear a million of these. It's such a quick sew, with a great result. I love the band in the middle that allows for fun color combinations and customization.


This is a size XS. Previously, I had a bit of gaping at the center back, and I wanted to narrow the neckline to cover my bra straps. I've finally got my pattern altered to be almost perfect (get it? make it perfect?). I very rarely make a pattern more than once, and three times is almost unheard-of, so you know I love it for realz.


I did make one minor change to the pattern design, just to see how it looked. The pattern calls for six pleats in the front and six in the back. This is easily the most time-consuming part. It's not terrible, but I wanted to see how it would look with gathering in the skirt instead of pleats. Remember, I gather with my serger, so it takes almost no time. I like the gathers, but I think the pleats probably look more...fancy? High-end? In any case, it's nice to have options for future dresses.

Gala Floral Pucci Knit

Let's talk about the fabric. This is a lightweight (though not sheer) cotton knit print. In case you weren't aware, AB wears cloth diapers, and two years ago I ran across one made from this fabric (it's not waterproof, you add a waterproof cover). Anyway, I fell in love with the fabric and thought the colors were beautiful. Imagine my extreme joy when I found the fabric at The Fabric Fairy! (Now, it appears to be sold out there, so, sorry...it's called "gala floral pucci knit" if you wanted to know.) I ordered two yards and...nothing. I did nothing. I barely even took it out of the plastic bag in which it was packaged. It gets worse. A year after that, it was on sale, and I bought three more yards! Now it was serious. I needed to make something with it, finally.


That's the beauty of a TNT pattern. I knew exactly how the dress would turn out, and it took away a huge amount of anxiety. Because I love the fabric so much, I cut and sewed carefully, and it shows in the garment. It's my favorite dress I've ever made. Projects like this make me so glad I invested in a coverstitch machine. The perfect pattern, the perfect fabric, and the perfect finishings.


The best part? The print fits my Wardrobe Architect color scheme (pinks and blues...although really it's red). Don't get me started on how hard it is to find a good print in a specific color scheme!


If I had to do it over again, I would have used something a little more substantial for the middle band. You can see in the above photo that it sags a bit under the weight and ripples slightly. The band is a lightweight rayon knit and I basically only choose it because of the color. So now you know, in case you make this dress.

I think three of these is enough for one summer, but you can bet I'll be pulling the pattern out again next year! Do you have fabric you refuse to use? I have to tell you, being able to wear the fabric instead of petting it on my shelf is WAY WAY better!

7 comments:

  1. Cute dress Beth! I like the look of the gathers, and the fabric is really pretty. I have to complement you on the neckline, it looks so RTW.

    Reading this post reminds me of some yellow floral fabric I bought last year *and* this year. I think I got a little carried away but I totally fell in love with the fabric! I made two dresses out of it last year and I'd like more in the future! haha! You're right, fabric looks better made into something, rather than sitting in a stash. There are a few cuts that I've had foreeeever! They're on my list, really:) So much fabric, so little time to sew it, but I'm working on it;)

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    1. You have a pretty good excuse for a long to-do list! A new little one tends to distract you from sewing :) And thank you, the neckline is my favorite part, I love my coverstitch!!

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  2. Love the fabric - the dress looks so comfortable. Great job!

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  3. This is such a pretty dress! I can see why it's your favorite! The fabrics and colors are so pretty and it's so well put-together. Well done.

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    1. Thank you! The colors really are pretty, aren't they?

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  4. Congratulations on a new TNT!

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