Party Gabby Dress

Hello again so soon! It was my little sister's 21st birthday this week and I wanted a new party dress for the occasion. A quick and easy silk Tessuti Gabby Dress did the trick!

I initially cut a straight size small (short length) out of some lovely patterned crepe silk bought from a fabric sale at Phillips Shirts. Pre-hemming I tried on the dress and found it a little too short. I rummaged through my fabric stash for some inspiration on how to add length. I wasn't convinced by a straight contrast hem panel (View A) - a ruffle is much more party-like! 

The ruffle is made from a spotty black textured silk from The Cloth Shop. I was saving it for a summer blouse - hopefully, I still have enough for that project. The gathered ruffle is 2.5" after attaching and hemming. During sewing I worried the ruffle might look like an afterthought and a bit too 'crafty',  but I think it actually makes the dress. 

I've made the Gabby twice before (1, 2). I've worn my rayon floral version to death and quite a few times since holes started appearing at the seams. I'm glad to have a new version I know will get heaps of wear winter through summer.  The shape may not be the most flattering on me, but it's so comfortable! And, I think the Gabby looks great cinched in with a belt too.

Megan Nielsen Flint Cropped Linen Pants

Hi there, long time no blog. This very intermittent blogging is beginning to become a pattern! I've sewn a few bits and pieces this winter. I'm definitely not sewing at the rate I was in 2014. These days, I tend to sew less, sew more slowly and only spend my time on garments that are going to be well loved and worn. This approach is more sustainable financially and environmentally, but also emotionally.

In May I blogged about my Megan Nielsen Flint shorts, which I loved! I've since made two pairs of Flint pants. The first is a beautiful heavy weight blue boiled wool. I haven't been able to get photos of these yet. I find it difficult to match up sunlight hours, good weather, and motivation for outdoor photos during winter. The second pair I made is a lovely navy linen cropped summer pant.

I'm more of a shorts and skirts girl in summer, but our travels to South East Asia have meant having a couple of pairs of light weight pants in the wardrobe for more conservative tourism. I have some easy-wear harem pants for this purpose. I really hate them and I'm thrilled to have replaced them with my new linen flint pants! I made these the weekend before heading off on a holiday to Malaysia with Tim. These photos are taken from our hotel balcony in Langkawi.

The fabric is a medium weight linen from The Cloth Shop. I made these pants in exactly the same way as my modified flat front Flint Shorts with two changes. 1) I used the button closure option instead of the bow. I like the look of two small buttons in line on the edge of the closure. This also feels more secure and the fabric lays flatter at the corner.  2) I like the longer cropped length but also wanted a deep heavy hem. So,  I added a 2" hem facing instead of hemming as instructed. 

These pants worked well for a day of touristing as well as for fancier dinners out. They were very cool and comfy to wear in the heat. I hope that they will be a good summer work wardrobe option as well.