Hellooooooooo! How are you guys doing? Everybody having a good day? I hope so! So, do you ever notice themes in your sewing? Lately my sewing has been all about fun fabric in a simple shape. Fussy sewing and fussy garments just aren’t very cool in the heat! So, for August’s Mood Sewing Network project*, I decided to stay the course and make one more fun print + simple silhouette dress. Why not keep the streak going? 🙂 I chose this beautiful rayon print because I loved the abstract images… I mean, are these birds, or are they palm trees? My vote is for palm trees, but that might just be because I love them!
The fabric has a delicious crepe-y texture, and it’s ever so slightly sheer. I’m hoping that the voluminous shape counteracts the transparency of the fabric. I think it works- no sneaky peekies on display in these photos, anyway! However, I finished the seams with pinking sheers because I worried that serging or Hong Kong binding might show through or look lumpy on the right side. Instead of using fusible interfacing for the facings, I stitched in silk organza, because I’m a very fancy person and definitely not because I ran out of interfacing and accidentally ordered the wrong replacement. 😉
I really enjoyed working with this fabric. The texture of the fabric gave it some grip, so it wasn’t slippery to cut or sew, and it responds beautifully to steam. I was careful, though, not to press with the iron on the right side. In a crepe fabric, the texture comes from the twist and crimp in the fibers, which can easily be crushed with the iron. When that happens, you get gross shine marks… no good! So I pressed from the wrong side, steamed from the right, and used my fingers to mush the steam into the seams. Super technical stuff! 🙂
The pattern is the Papercut Patterns Sway dress, the long variation with a tie belt. Katie sent me a copy to try along with the Guise Pants. Thanks, Katie! Now, I was really drawn towards the shorter, trapeze-ier version, but I figured I’d give this longer length a try just for kicks. It feels a little frumpy compared to the shorter dresses I’ve been wearing lately, but I may just need to wear this a few times to get comfortable with the length and the belted waist. The pattern is very easy to put together and the instructions are nice and clear. I generally avoid anything with bias seams as I hate leveling out the hem, but it was really pretty painless. I’ll definitely revisit this pattern!
The dress has center front and center back seams, and I was concentrating so hard on fitting all the pattern pieces on the fabric with the print all going the same direction that I didn’t even consider matching the print. Whoops! Hopefully it’s not too noticeable.
WHAT IS THIS SORCERY?!?!
Why, it’s a reversible dress! Since it only needs to fit at the shoulders, it can be switched around and worn with either the v-neck or the round neckline facing the front! Tricky business!
Man Friend review: “The belt is nice”.
OF COURSE.
Alright, now please tell me- what’s on your sewing table right now? Simple silhouettes with fun prints? All solids all of the time? Complicated tailoring projects? And, are you Team Palm Trees, or Team Birds? Do tell!
*Once a month I receive a fabric allowance from Mood to make something fun! I blog it first on the MSN blog, then over here. If I use stash materials or things purchased from another source, I’ll let you know in my post. 🙂
Ginger Makes... 
Team Palm Trees!!! But what is this about painless hemming.. that’s not what I remember from when you were hemming it! 😉 I think it’s really cute – and much as it pains me to say, it’ll be cute with tights, boots and a cardi in fall!
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Haha, things got much easier when I stopped trying to mark the hem while wearing the dress (don’t ask… bad idea)!
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I’ve been in an endless run of summer A line pullover dresses. The cuts and prints have gotten weirder and wilder, and I’m kinda sad the weather has finally turned, because I have one BIG WEIRD idea left. I’ll just poke at it all winter.
And yes, boots and a cardi and you’re good for another month or two.
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“BIG WEIRD”?! You’ve got my attention! Do it!!!!!
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How about bird of paradise flowers? Part avian and part flora!
Ohh the reversible goodness is fabulous- viva la summer dress!
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Birds of paradise! You, miss, are a genius!!
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That looks so nice to wear! And I love man friend’s comment, of course 🙂
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He’s out of control! 🙂
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super cute! love the shape of the dress, plus i love that you can wear it two ways.. and gray is my favorite color ever, so it’s a win win win in my book..
i have way too much stuff on my sewing table these days, have to make a dress for me, few tops for other people, and a baby quilt+dress for a 1year old.. and i have by friday to finish all that, so it’s gonna be a bussy week..
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Oh my! You’ve got a full couple of days ahead of you!! Good luck and happy sewing!
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This fabric has a lovely drape and the pattern looks both chic and comfortable. I’ll have to agree with you that the print is more vegetable than animal!
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks, mom!!
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As for the print guess, I would say it looks like little white Halloween ghosts. This lovely print is very demure as compared to your last makes, but still extremely well chosen for this kind of flowing dress. For now, I’m sewing super simple summer things like crazy, hoping Fall will never come.
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Little ghosts! That’s so cute! I’m right there with you– I’m just not ready to start sewing for fall yet! Plus it’s still very hot here, so it seems kind of silly to sew for cooler weather.
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I am Team Bats, because I love bats and that’s what they look like to me 🙂 Very cute, especially the belt, LOL! Man Friend’s reviews are priceless! You won’t believe this, but I’ve been gripped by a sudden desire to sew SOLID COLORS! What is happening to me?!
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Say WHAT?! Solid colors!?! What’s happening?!?!
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I see birds, but I’m going to vote palm trees anyway! For me. I’m working on a refashioning project, and a skirt. And I’m also hoping to take advantage of an extra set of arms this afternoon to cut out a baby project!
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Hope you had a productive afternoon! How’s that cute boy doing?
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Growing fast! I did get my project cut out, I’m making him cute little baby shoes for when it gets cold!
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Ooh that’s adorable and I love the print! And how clever that it can reverse. But I do love the look of the V in the back in particular! After doing an epic fussy dress I am sooo happy to be doing basic ones right now. I’m in the mood for casual, I think since the heat kicked up! Easy to make and wear. 😉
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Ooh! Love the sound of an epic fussy dress! I’m super behind on my blogroll but I’m gonna head over and check it out!
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did you hem per instructions or per your own preference? It looks really teeny, neat, and like i need to learn how to hem like that…
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The instructions said to do a rolled hem, but I’ve never gotten that down. Instead I did a narrow hem, stitching all the way around with the presser foot lined up with the raw edge (just under 1/4″) and then pressing under along the stitched line so I can turn it easily. Then I just turn it under once more and stitch it again!
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that fabric is totally my flavors. I love it. sooooo comfy.
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Ooh, soft grey is such a nice color for you! You can buy some at Mood in a few weeks! 🙂
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Team birds, for me! Your dress is very cute, looks easy to wear! I’m sewing transition pieces now trying to ease into fall. Not sure I’m ready, but it’s getting cold out there!
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Oh man, it’s already cold for you?! That’s too bad, but at least maybe it will inspire some new sewing!
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Lovely! And not frumpy at all! I’ve been sewing a few last minute things to pack on holiday… But mostly drawing, actually!
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That is so awesome! Drawing for work, or just for fun?
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This is a very pretty dress, perfect for the end of summer.
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Thank you, Lori!
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SO good! When I was making up my version, I kept thinking that this was totally a Sonja dress pattern – I’m glad to know that I was right to think that 🙂 I know what you mean about feeling frumpy with the hem length, but I think it’s actually pretty cute on you. That being said, I am always Team Legs. Show them gams, girl!
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Heeheehee, I sure have a look these days! I’m excited to see modeled pics of yours!!! I bet it’s adorable on you!
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ok, I LOVE this dress. it fits so nice, easy to wear, and yet so feminine.
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I seriously want a black linen version like your trapeze dress!
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Lovely dress!! Perfect for a hot summer – it looks exactly like something I’d throw on first thing on a Saturday (or who am I kidding – to work too). And I actually think they look like (I mean this in the best way possible) a person wearing a sheet to be a ghost… (I just saw that Helene above suggested this too). Outside of that, I’m team Palm Trees. 😀
And I’m working my way into fall/winter already despite our 90 degree temps… long sleeves, jeans, and a bit of other secret sewing 😀
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Ooh! I’m excited to see your fall sewing! Sounds super fun!!!
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OMG, I love your sway dress and I love my sway dress too! however, I made my first one up in a cheap fabric that was called a “poly rayon” (wtf?) in case I didn’t like it and I haven’t yet made the other ones that are bouncing around in my head. So your lovely version here makes me want to make another one ASAP!
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What is poly rayon?! It sounds like a lie! 😀 It’s such a cute pattern… I’m glad to hear you love yours! 🙂
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This dress is so adorable, such a simple summer staple, I am sure that you will get much wear out of it! (either way that you wear it! )
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Thanks, Angie! 🙂
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Love it! I’m trying to plan my AUS sewing for my trip later this year. Think i may be adding this to the list!
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Woohoo! This would be so nice to wear in their hot sun! I bet you will have so much fun!
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I love that dress, the shape, the fabric…all of it. On my sewing table is a pair of trousers/ jeans, the simplicity amazing fit. And a dress. Both cut out and unstitched. xx
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Thanks, Debbie! Ooh, I need to make some trousers. I hear good things about that pattern!
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You look so adorable in this dress! I love the colour on you. I totally didn’t notice the front seam/print placement at all before you mentioned it. Great dress!
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Thanks, Kat! 🙂
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I think it’s great! I like the length, and I do think it’s treebirdbats, for sure. 😉
As for me, I’m gearing up for a giveaway and sewalong for late September, so starting to think about cozy gear!
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HAHA yessssss treebirdbats! 🙂
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I like this on you! It’s definitely you and the ability to wear from to back and back to front shoud give you some versatility.
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Thanks, Carolyn! It’s nice to have something versatile in my closet for once, ha!
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Team birds! I love the option to reverse the dress front to back—so slick! Crepe is a pretty great fabric for wearing in any season; this will be perfect layered up come fall. Oh, and thanks for the tips on pressing this type of fabric!
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I am hoping to try wool crepe this fall- I’ve never used it before! Have you?
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i haven’t, though i’ve been wanting too. one thing i don’t have are winter dresses, so it’s on my list of things to try!
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Trees. Definitely trees. I love the warm grey color. I have only seen the shorter view of this dress made up but I’m digging the longer length with the belt. Love that it is reversible!
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Thanks, lady! I’m partial to warm greys, too… they’re so soft and nice!
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Very prettyi! I’m thinking trees… Right now I’m making a checked Granville, matching checks like mad and feeling rather smug about it I must say!
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Ooh, I always find it so difficult to match checks! Well done!!!
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This dress looks fantastic! I love the length on you, and the belt is awesome! I really love the print too! I’m just about to cut out some Thurlow Trousers, wish me luck!
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You can do it! They’re gonna be awesome!
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In the last 24hrs I made 1 dress (Narita by hey June) in size 5 & 2 Amelie Tops (Retro Tunic & Simple Tunic) size 5 for one GrandGirl, 2 simple elastic waist Simplicity shirts for 6yr old Grandson, & a Spidey Senses very simple pillowcase (i winged it) for 7yr old Grandson . I’m now finishing 2 dresses for Twin Granddaughters, who are 17mths old.. I’m done for a few days. There’s 2! Different Moms here. I have another Grandson on the way & I’m making him privateers, I don’t remember where I found the off part right now sorry (sponge Bob, firehouse doggies, spidey senses, capt America, Santa clause)”’ im at the end of the line.
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Wow, I was a bit meh about this pattern until I saw your dress. It’s so versatile and looks simple to run up. This looks like the perfect casual summer dress. Your man friend’s comment sounds similar to what mine would say.
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I love that it’s reversible! The shape looks great on you too!
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Every time I pOp onto your blog I get sucked into this vortex devoid of time and space. LOL I LOVE IT! Love the palm dress–the tent dress–everything! Great work, as always!!!!
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It sounds like you need a chalk hem marker! Then you can have the dress on, and puff a little chalk mark aaaalll around the hem to mark it. They are lovely! The dress looks super comfy and cute. I want one now!
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This looks amazing on you! Love it! But summer seems far far away, so I am starting to look for top with sleeves now!
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This is really lovely, it doesn’t look frumpy at all! I think the belt is a nice variation 🙂
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Trees, deffo! Yes, totally with you on the simple sewing in the summer thing! So pretty and floaty, lovely.
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