March 30, 2014

Sew: Tessuti Pia Dress in Black Linen




Well the sewjo has definitely returned. Yay for that! I just don't sew as much as I used to, due to a full wardrobe and other commitments. But I'm ok with that! Late on Thursday night I decided to sew a dress for Friday night drinks with the school mums. I had all the supplies for a Pia dress so it was a go! The fabric and pattern was cut out on Thursday night and I finished the dress at 5pm on Friday. The sewing part really only took about 2.5 hours on Friday afternoon, interrupted by school pick up and feeding the boys. Gosh they can eat!

 
When Tessuti released the Pia dress pattern I wasn't that keen on it. I decided to hold off until next Summer as I certainly had enough things to work on. I'm so glad I changed my mind. I love it! The pockets add interest to an otherwise simple style. I also really like the wide shoulders.


In terms of construction, things went together extremely easily and I really enjoyed the process. There is something soothing about sewing with linen. I did my own thing with the bias binding at the neckline and armholes. I finished one shoulder seam and then applied the neck binding before closing the other shoulder seam. The armhole binding is applied before sewing the side seams. This method is my preferred method for doing binding as I often have to fit the side seams once I've tried it on. Inevitably, I always end up taking the side seam in from the armhole to waist. I also eliminated the centre back seam. I didn't think it was necessary so I simply removed the 1.25cm seam allowance from the from the centre back and cut it on the fold.



Project Details
Pattern: Tessuti Pia Dress, size L
Fabric: Black linen from Clegs
Alterations: Removed centre back seam (cut on fold after removing seam allowance)


Apologies for some of the dodgy iPhone photos. My photographer only took from the waist up with the DSLR! I'll have to give him a lesson on photographing a dress. 


I wore it out on Friday night to the Brunswick Mess Hall for drinks with my Funkis clogs and Dinosaur Designs necklace. I then pulled it on again on Saturday morning, in a post-cocktail fog, and wore it down the road to the hairdressers and beauty salon. It worked really well belted with a red belt and a pair of red Saltwater sandals. Multi-talented dress. Perfect! That's my kind of dress.


Have you succumbed to the Pia dress? Do it!!

L x

22 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! It looks great on you both ways. The pockets are great - I think I'll make it again next summer.

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  2. I love this dress...it looks great all dolled up and I love it with the flat sandals and belt too. The pockets are awesome!

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  3. Really lovely dress Leith. I met your Mum today at the Brisbane sewing meet-up and she is lovely. We all had a wonderful afternoon and she was quickly known as 'Sew Brunswick's Mum' !!! I took a great photo of her, so I will now email it to you.

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  4. I really, really love it! Looks wonderful on you Leith, and isn't it a great style! I'm looking forward to making another, I must admit. Although I'll resist a belt!

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  5. Thanks Majorie. I'm so glad you all had a lovely time.

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  6. Super dress, and I also just indulged in high tea (and champagne of course) with your beautiful Mum!

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  7. Thanks Judith. High tea looked wonderful! I'm glad you all had such a lovely time.

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  8. Aren't the pockets fabulous?!! I love them.

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  9. I know - me too! So many nice versions today on IG.

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  10. I have this pattern but haven't made it up yet. I'm thinking of making it in lightweight wool that I have in my stash. I thought it may work for winter with a long sleeved top worn under it.

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  11. Ooooh, I have never seent his pattern but now I will have to check it out. Love the dress on you.

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  12. Another lovely Pia. As much as I love this style those sticky out pockets would catch on kitchen draw handles.

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  13. The dress looks beautiful, you look beautiful, the photos are beautiful, it's a trifecta of gorgeousness.

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  14. This is a gorgeous dress, I can see why you reach for it so much already. It's also great that you mentioned a full wardrobe. I think all seamstresses aim for that! I also met your lovely mum at the Brisbane meet up!

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  15. This is freaking rad! Loving the clogs and necklace- I swear Dinosaur Designs needs to give you a commission!

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  16. That's a great idea! I love DD. I wear it every day. Thanks lovely!

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  17. Thanks Rosi. So glad you had a lovely time at the Brisbane meet up. My mum is pretty rad!

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  18. There is probably a good reason I have planned no kitchen drawer handles... L x

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  19. Definitely check it out! They've got a good set of patterns now.

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  20. I am obsessed with this dress ATM - I think I might have to buy it, such a departure from my usual style, but I really like it and yours is no exception!
    PS - your Mum is such a sweetie (but I'm sure you knew that!)

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  21. I'm really excited I got to see this dress IN PERSON AAAAAHHHHHH!! LOL it's so so pretty, and you look gorgeous in it - that linen is to die for!! It was SOOOO nice finally meeting you after all this time following your blog, love!! XOXO

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