Me:  Hey G…how d’you like my new sundress?

G:    Huh? Looks like you’re wearing those harem pants….

LOL…okay, he may be right….but…this is indeed a dress. Unflattering? Oh, for sure. Comfy as all get up? Why yes ma’am, thank you very much!

We’re halfway through summer, and the universe has finally turned the heat on here in Vancouver. And what sweet serendipity…I happen to have just finished sewing the quintessential summer sundress; unlined, unstructured, effortless. No zips, buttons, snaps or bamboodles.

The pattern is Burda 7513, view B….with major tweaks. It’s been in my stash for years and every time I picked up the pattern, I talked myself out of making it. I mean…the silhouette…yep, very challenging for me, and the online reviews weren’t overly encouraging. But a few weeks ago, I finally decided to give it a go, with the premise that I would construct it in stages, thereby giving me the opportunity to tweak it or trash it as I went. Coincidentally…the morning of Operation Burda 7513, Coco of Coco’s Loft, published a blog post – Summer Maxi – Bittersweet – that gave me some helpful maxi dress tips! Thanks Coco! I made the top first, narrowing the shoulder lines and shortening the bodice to above my waistline. The lapels are unlined {the wrong side of fabric shows} and so I chose to continue the gingham bias tape {self made} along the exposed front edges. Following Coco’s lead, I added a waistband to the bodice. I actually used the wrong side of the fabric to complement the lapel…but…the difference is barely discernible. So far, so good! I was happy with the bodice and was ready to add the skirt. I did a quick drape of my fabric and confirmed that it was waaaaay too sheer for an unlined dress. But no way I was lining this dress….my HOT weather sundress….so I opted for a gathered skirt to add opacity.  It works…but hello…I got me a whole lot mo’ volume going on now. The large gigantic patch pockets didn’t help matters either. I had to nix them in favour of inseam pockets. The pattern calls for an elasticized bottom hem…ahem, a harem hem…which I hemmed and hawed over. I decided to add it…it’s easy enough to take out, and I actually think it’s kinda fun. It tames the volume a little, and I think it adds interest. The elastic sits very comfortably just below my knees for an ankle revealing maxi. An unanticipated bonus is that I can change the length of my dress to midi or knee length by changing where the elastic sits.  I dunno…a bad idea or a little bit genius?

Edit: I realized I gave neither a thumbs up or a thumbs down on this pattern before publishing my post. This version feels somewhat like a wearable muslin. I don’t feel comfortable wearing this beyond my back garden, unless it’s at the beach. It just feels too light and too voluminous. That being said, I think I’d like to sew the pattern again, but in a fabric like linen. Then I can follow the pattern silhouette more closely. I’ll add the zipper in and shape the bodice more than I’ve done here. It still might not work for my frame, but I think I’m up to trying it.

I’ve been doing a little summer sewing, but really…I haven’t been up to anything exciting…the usual farmer’s markets, some outdoor theatre, dining al fresco…oooh, I did meet up with Melanie of  Bag and a Beret and Suzanne Carillo….lots of laughter that was!

My other bit of news is that I am preparing for a blog platform move. If things go as intended, I won’t lose any of you on moving day…but in any event, I’ll give you a heads up before the switch, which will probably be sometime in the next few weeks. If you are a reader that pops by via a bookmark etc., please note that my blog address has been updated to www.acolourfulcanvas.com.

I’ll be back soon with…..another pair of harem pants…yes really….