If you read my blog regularly, you will know that I love Aussie designer Metalicus. This is another dress inspired by one I found last year on the Metalicus website. The dress has a ribbon-embellished tank-style top and a lightly gathered skirt. This particular dress is no longer available - unless you make it yourself that is!
This is a mini-tutorial that should contain enough details to make this dress yourself if you have some basic sewing skills. What are you waiting for?
I wasn't inspired to try to replicate that complicated ribbon design, so I found some textured jersey fabric to use for the top. I just used a basic tank pattern and chopped it off a little bit below the bustline.
I finished the edges with fold-over elastic (FOE). Lightly stretch the FOE as you sew it down (more details here). The skirt is just a rectangle of fabric (mine was approx 150cm wide by 77cm for the skirt length) sewn down the back and lightly pleated. I just eyeballed the pleats and pinned them in place before sewing. The skirt is attached to the top using a serger (or use a stretchy stitch on your sewing machine). I used a light jersey fabric for the skirt that I bought in Bali.
I added a tube of the skirt fabric to cover the join between the top and the skirt. I attached it with a few hidden hand-stitches in four places so it could stretch easily when dressing.
It was a quick and simple dress to make and it's a dream to wear.
I apologise for the grainy photos. My good camera got sand in the lens and is out of action. Here is a close up of some of the detail.
I would love to see pictures if you try to make this yourself. Please only make it for personal use and link back to me if you blog it - thanks!
