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This is the project that made me realise a skill deficit; I had real problems lining this dress which made me set a 2017 new year resolution: to sew more lined garments.
I was attracted to this dress after seeing this picture.
Burda Tank Dress 09/2015 #108 A/B
Sewing it was very easy. I cut a size 38 which is my Burda size. It is supposed to have front pockets by the princess seams but I couldn’t imagine using them – the dress is elegant and ruining the princess line with a bulky pocket? No, I wasn’t having it. I could have also added in-seam pockets at the side seam but I completely forgot. You know when you are sewing and everything is going swimmingly and the fabric is a pleasure to deal with – its easy to miss something.
The fabric was bought from Jacks Fabrics in Leeds Market. Unfortunately when I saw it they only had about 1.5 m (£3.80/meter) left which is a shame because I think I would have liked to make long coat out of this. The fabric is viscose wool mix which has a lovely textured hounds tooth pattern.
The shift dress is fitted at the bodice using dior darts (which are my new favourite darts now). It just skims the rest of my body being neither boxy nor tight. I like the boat neckline as well, it lends a Jackie O feel to the dress. I have styled it with a brooch as seen here on IG.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTn39cSASm5/?taken-by=saturdaynightstitch
I initially thought that maybe that might make me look too air hostess’y but they do always look stylish so no problem there.
Burdastyle 09/2015 #108
Burdastyle 09/2015 #108 Collar
Burdastyle 09/2015 #108 Detachable collar
Burdastyle 09/2015 #108
Burdastyle 09/2015 #108
Burdastyle 09/2015 #108
The lining is a bemberg in magenta which just feels luxurious against my skin and so worth the trouble I went to sew it. I ended up hand sewing the lining on to the armholes and neckline ( on the dress form) after several fails at ‘bagging the lining’. Determination and discipline got me through this because I knew if I moved on to the next project I wasn’t going to return to this for a really long time. So I doggedly finished it and its far from perfect. But I will learn to line it properly next time and will report back in autumn when I make another one in a glorious tartan :-).
Verdict – I will definitely be making another one. I like Burda patterns for their cheaper price point and how well they fit me as I had to make no adjustments at all to this. Still lining it was worth it as it fits like a dream and the luxurious feel of a dress gliding past your arms to settle on your shoulders is wonderful.
I’d love to make a colour block version like this MaxMara one here (RRP $650 btw):
Don’t you just love sewing for the options it gives to recreate very expensive looks?
As always, thanks for stopping by and until next time Happy sewing all!
Peace and love,
Hila
