My inspiration for sewing this dress up was an episode of the show Schitt’s Creek (Yes, it’s pronounced just how you think 😉 ). Have you heard of it? It’s a show about a very well-to-do family from Hollywood who lost everything and had to go live in a motel in a town called Schitt’s Creek that they bought as a joke. The family is extremely well dressed and in one of the latest episodes, the daughter Alexis, was wearing the cutest off-the-shoulder dress that I knew I had to replicate. I didn’t create mine in the exact fabric as her (although I would have had I found it) instead I just borrowed the cut and added my own design details to it.
I wanted the challenge of self-drafting this garment and one day while I was perusing the internet I came across this tutorial from By Hand London, written by Elisalex De Castro Peake (Thank you!!). I used this excellent tutorial as a guide for measurements then basted it in muslin. I ended up making one minor adjustment which was to take in the fullness of the skirt. It was a little too wide for my body shape so I took it in 1” on the paper pattern which translates to 4” overall.
I sewed this baby up in a light wool blend that I bought at Mood Fabrics. I was originally looking for a linen fabric in a light tone but I came across this fabric in pastel pink and that was it! I was ready to buy it right then and there. I also added a bit of tulle to the inside of the sleeve area of the dress. This wasn’t a part of my original idea but I saw this tulle in the fabric store and I just knew I had to add it to this dress. I debated for a while on what to do with it (should it go on the ruffle, below the ruffle, around the ruffle??) but ultimately I think I made the right choice. Lastly, I used bias binding on the armhole openings. It took a bit more time but it completes the dress so well and I love little details like this. Regarding the ruffle and skirt hem, I did a scant ¼”. I also used pinking shears to cut the fabric out for more stability. I am in love with this dress!! 🙂
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