I'm trying to avoid making clothes purchases, mostly because there is no storage left in the house and I have no real need of new clothes now that I'm retired. Of course I know that 'need' isn't really what clothes buying is about. I have a vague principle of throwing/giving away an item from my wardrobe whenever I get something new. So far this year the sum total of my purchases have been a buttonless cashmere cardi, one white Tshirt, two bikinis, (sale prices, under £10 each) and this linen sundress. I saw it in a shop in Lyme Regis the other week and couldn't resist, it has all the elements that I like.
The fabric is striped, rathe like old pajamas or mattress ticking, and it's just as comfortable to wear as a pair of old pjs.
It has pockets - I LOVE pockets, and these ones are a generous size and nicely embellished with something like pajama cord!
Can you see the seam line? It's unusually cut across the skirt to give a slightly off-centre feel and a wobbly hem.
And it's as big as a bell tent. What's not to like!
There is no maker's label, it just says, 'pure linen made in Italy.' Now I need to decide what goes to a charity shop in it's place to make way for the purchase!
Construction details for Connie.
Here are the seam lines set out on the bedroom carpet to demonstrate that the dress is quite cleverly cut and not just the sack of potatoes that it seems once I'm wearing it. The fabric is gathered beneath the armpit to deal with the large amount of fabric and create a neat armhole.
The back is straightforward in three pieces, with a central seam and lower, curved section as highlighted.
The pockets are the fiddly bits.
Hope this is helpful, Connie!
Perfect! I've been buying less and less myself and it certainly feels good.
ReplyDeleteWell it feels virtuous, I don't know about 'good' exactly!
DeleteI love it! Strangely enough, these loose, comfy Italian linen clothes are often on sale at the large antiques fairs we go to. There's plenty of room in them for running, reaching and grabbing bargains, I suppose!
ReplyDeleteOoo, now you're tempting me to search out antique fairs and that might not be wise!
DeleteI LOVE YOUR DRESS! Yes. I'm yelling at you. With your sun hat and your flip flops you are a vision of summer loveliness. I'm actually looking at it very carefully as I'm trying to figure out if I could recreate it on my sewing machine. I have a teensy weensy closet, too. It is a challenge for sure.
ReplyDeleteI've seen your latest dress purchase, Connie and we are obviously soul sisters! I'll add a sketch of the seam pattern for you and add it to this post.
DeleteI adore this dress too. It was made to go with the hat and flipflops and the sunshine. I am partial to a wonky seam as well.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading all about the bloggers meet-up, Melanie, and would love to have been right there in the middle of it.
DeleteToday it's pouring with rain, I obviously irritated the weather gods in my full sun outfit!
How delightful to stumble across your blog while looking up Dave Inshaw and then as a bonus seeing a picture of Alf Stockham who was my tutor in the early 70s in Bristol. That dress is a real find. I like an asymmetric cut myself.
ReplyDeleteHello Lucille, you must have known Himself, my other half, who taught in Fine Art with Alf and Dave. (Dave didn't teach for long but both Alf and Himself stayed on until retirement.)
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