Truffle

 

 Incredibly creative title, huh?  I was at a loss.

I tried to hold out and not purchase The Colette Sewing Handbook right away.  Not because I didn't want to, but because I'm on a strict sewing budget.  I only allow myself a certain amount each month to be spent on sewing goodness.  That usually gets spent on fabric.

 But I splurged last month and ordered it.  There are lots of great tips and tidbits in the book.  I highly recommend it to someone who is new to sewing.  I mainly ordered it for the patterns.  And I'm so glad I did, because now I have this dress.  The book is well worth it, even if you can't buy fabric for a month because of it. :)-

 

 The Truffle dress.

Oh, how I love this dress.

I really like rayon.  Like really, really like rayon.  Stephanie just did a fascinating post on rayon.  I love those posts she does on fabric types.  I think it may be my favorite fabric to wear.  Not necessarily to work with, but wearing- yes.   I like that it's drape-y and silky without being too thin.  I like drape-y fabrics but not when you can see all the lumps and bumps beneath.  I used a solid brown rayon challis for the lining and a sheer polka dotted rayon blend for the shell.  I'm sure the "blend" part means polyester but let's not dwell on the negative.  The polka dot fabric is actually an army green color, although it reads more brown in photos.  Partly because of the lining, I'm sure.  It's a very muddy green.

 

I did make a few changes to the bodice.  For one, I cut it two sizes smaller than the skirt portion.  I also straightened and raised the back neckline a couple of inches.  The neckline was initially very wide.  I know I still have some back fit issues, but I think this is better than the last dress I made.  The bodice portion is actually three layers of fabric.  I underlined the sheer polka dot with a layer of rayon challis.  Then I used another layer of rayon challis as a lining.  I used the "pull through the shoulder seams" method of lining as seen here.  The skirt lining and shell were sewn as separate layers.  I hemmed the lining as marked on the pattern, so beware that it's a little short- at least for my tastes.  I lengthened the shell and hemmed it longer.  I like the shorter layer being covered by the sheer longer layer.  I saw a maxi dress on someone recently that was sheer but had a super short under skirt.  I'd love to make something like that.

 

Ooh, ignore that puckering.  I blame the polyester for that.  Or my shoddy sewing skills.  I was pulling this off the machine ten minutes before I had to leave for the wedding I wore this to.  In fact, I didn't notice it until I took these photos.   I can't decide if I want to go back and fix it now.   The flounce is my favorite part, of course.  I love that it's a simple shaped dress with just a little something extra.  I'd love to make it again one day in a stiffer fabric.

 

  

Hooray for The Colette Sewing Handbook!  

I definitely recommend it.  I think I'll have to tackle the Pastille dress next.