Description
When I came across the Sonja Dress by Salme Patterns in early 2012, I had in mind to make it to attend a friend’s wedding. I knew I would need to alter the pattern, due to my relatively short torso and because I’m just short. I shortened the bodice pieces a tiny bit and took in the side and back seams by quite a bit. And here is the result – a wearable muslin.
The pattern was easy to follow and construction fairly simple. I applied the all-in-one facing the Burdastyle method rather than the one suggested in the pattern instructions because I think it gives a neater finish.
I bought this lightweight blue and white polka-dotted voile because I thought it would be a fun challenge to match the dots. It was fiddly to match the polka dots at the centre back invisible zipper seam – it took me 4 attempts, but I think it was worth it.
You can see from the photos that there are still a few fit issues:
1. The bust darts are too low
2. There is excess fabric in the back bodice
… so things to work on before I sew the real thing.
I have already worn this dress heaps this summer because it’s so breathable and comfortable. The silhouette is also warm-weather friendly, although the skirt can be a little sheer in certain types of light (the problem with voile…) The halter-styled neckline and the large polka dots remind me of dresses from the 90s, so popular with the hipsters of the 2012s. Just know that I’m channelling my inner hipster when I wear this dress, especially when teamed with those outrageous floral sunnies!
Material Notes
Summer chill cotton voile, nautica spot (denim and white) 112cm ($4/metre, Spotlight clearance table); 51cm invisible zipper, iron on interfacing, thread
Difficulty
Novice
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May 29, 2013, 02.50 PMby carrie18584
Great job and your matching of the polka dots is amazing! I’m making the dress now and it definitely needs quite a bit of tweaking to get right
Feb 2, 2013, 11.15 PMby RomRom
gorgeous!
Jan 14, 2013, 05.23 AMby neveenkarnes
very cute. great job
Jan 8, 2013, 08.00 PMby MaycieAfterFive
Cute Cute Cute! I love it!
Jan 5, 2013, 10.40 PMby nookie
love this version of the dress. looks beautiful on you.
1 Reply
Jan 7, 2013, 08.52 AMby cynthia-1
Thanks everyone for all your kind comments. xoxo.
Jan 5, 2013, 03.36 PMby kess
Love this! I love that you matched the polka dots in the back! it’s one of those things that you don’t see in RTW garments. BEAUTIFUL!
Jan 5, 2013, 02.08 PMby ariation
Very nice dress and hats off to you for matching the dots at the back zipper seam, that facinated me most :)
Jan 5, 2013, 01.17 PMby byrdiesews
Very cute! Great job on the fit!
Jan 5, 2013, 12.14 PMby Ruffles Gazebo
ah lovely! and heaps minor fitting issues! lovely pattern and great job :)
Jan 5, 2013, 09.29 AMby Mary Athey
Fab dress and.its lovely on you. Love.the fabric x