The Ghana Dress

Added Jun 7, 2011

by stephiaffi

Vienna, Austria

Dscf3516rasp1n_thumb

Views

1852

Dscf6477neu_large
  • Dscf6477neu_grid
  • Dscf6563_grid
  • Dscf6469_grid

View All

Description

A friend of mine visited Ghana last summer and brought me home two lengths of very colourful wax cloth. It took me a long time to decide what to sew with them. I just couldn’t make up my mind. Also, neither of the lengths was long enough to make one full dress. So, I decided to combine them both. One fabric for the bodice and skirt and the other for lengthening the skirt, the waist tie, all the facings and the in-seam pockets.

I really love how the two fabrics that seemingly don’t go together, work together so well and make for a really fun summer dress. The pattern is inspired by a burdastyle magazine pattern, but the basis for the bodice is Vogue 8615 because it fit me so well and so I just moved the darts around, changed the neckline etc. The skirt is just a rectangle.

For more photos and info on the dress, you can visit my blog, where I’m currently hosting the June Summer Dress Challenge.

Material Notes

Cotton wax cloth from Ghana

Categories

Season
Summer
For
Women
Garment Type
Dress
Material
Cotton

Credits

burdastyle magazine 02/2011 dress

http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/022011-dress-with-gathered-rectangle-skirt-and-cap-sleeves

Vogue 8615

http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8615-products-10674.php?page_id=857

18 Comments

  • Missing

    Jun 16, 2011, 09.03 PMby jennykbe

    I think the shape of the dress is really flattering and the fabrics are so pretty together. Great Job!!!

  • Img_8634_2_large

    Jun 9, 2011, 11.41 PMby madebymeg

    the best thing about being known as a sewist in your group is that your friends always bring you fabric from far-off places!

  • Dscf3516rasp1n_large

    Jun 9, 2011, 10.27 PMby stephiaffi

    Thank you all so much for your lovely comments!!!

  • Missing

    Jun 9, 2011, 09.34 PMby glorialavonne

    I love this dress. When I first seen it, I thought the fabric came that way. BEAUTIFUL.

  • Crochet_scarf2_large

    Jun 9, 2011, 06.55 PMby wildflower31

    I would look at that fabric, each piece as it is, and run, but what you have created is wonderful. It all fits, the different patterns and the dress design. Wish I was brave like you.

  • Img_6207_large

    Jun 9, 2011, 05.15 PMby The Tropical Sewist

    ooh! Love the colours – and especially how the belt picks out the border! Great work :)

  • Bub_large

    Jun 9, 2011, 04.49 PMby baka-pepica

    Cool colors , maybe i sow you someday in that dress on the streets of Vienna ( I´M from wien to

    1 Reply
    • Dscf3516rasp1n_thumb

      Jun 9, 2011, 10.26 PMby stephiaffi

      Thanks! Wow, that’s great. There are not many people living in Vienna on burdastyle! Great to have found you!

  • Profile_pic_3_large

    Jun 9, 2011, 02.23 PMby daughterfish

    This is absolutely FANTASTIC! I love how the fabrics work together. I’m just in the process of making a friend a dress from West African fabric, and this gives me some ideas. Again, great job! And your blog is cool, too:)

  • Img_2342_large

    Jun 9, 2011, 02.13 PMby YarnUiPhoneApp

    I think this kind of pattern mixing is quite trendy…using the lesser yardage for a ruffle was really clever. Congrats on a gorgeous dress.

  • Dsc_0054_large

    Jun 8, 2011, 10.53 PMby erica-penton

    Fantastic! I love the colours.

  • Photo_on_2012-04-30_at_13_51_large

    Jun 8, 2011, 04.39 PMby pumpkinpatches

    really great dress and awesome fabric combo

  • Img_0316_2_large

    Jun 8, 2011, 01.56 PMby sigrid

    Very amazing !

  • Logo_05_sq_large

    Jun 8, 2011, 10.03 AMby keren

    great dress! awesome fabric! At first I thought it was a fabric with a border – great idea to combine them!

  • Logo_05_sq_large

    Jun 8, 2011, 10.03 AMby keren

    great dress! awesome fabric! At first I thought it was a fabric with a border – great idea to combine them!

  • Dsc_0004_large

    Jun 7, 2011, 07.16 PMby prettysweet

    This is very cool. I love the fabric combination!

  • Naburdaprofil_large

    Jun 7, 2011, 06.20 PMby janul

    I really love this, both fabrics are beautiful :). Looks great on you!

  • Picture0032-edited_large

    Jun 7, 2011, 05.54 PMby CelticButterfly

    I really like this. :) I’ve never used/even seen wax-cloth. What’s it like? Is it comfortable?

    1 Reply
    • Dscf3516rasp1n_thumb

      Jun 9, 2011, 10.22 PMby stephiaffi

      It feels just like normal quilting cotton. The pattern is made by printing it with technique using wax. I think that’s why it’s called wax cloth.

  • Picture_6_large

    Jun 7, 2011, 02.35 PMby Delphina14

    Love it, very nice! Good use of fabric and a great summer look!

    1 Reply

Add a Project

Help

Add to Favorites 6 people added it

Featured

Burdastyle

http://burdastyle.com//projects/the-ghana-dress