Burda Style For people who sew
Description
So, ever since Royal Wedding Fever struck the world, I’ve been a little bit obsessed with Kate Middleton’s fashion choices. I love her ladylike style, how she actually wears her outfits more than once, and the fact that not every item she chooses is a designer piece worth thousands of dollars. I especially love all her dresses (the classic sheath is just delicious). Oh yeah, and the nude pumps she wore all through Canada. Want those. :) / This dress was inspired partly by my newfound passion for those one-piece ensembles (I’ve been wearing separates way too much for the past four years or so) and also by one of my favorite summer items – the tank top. When there’s no air-conditioning and the temperature is in the upper nineties, with 100% humidity that makes it feel like one hundred and fifteen (only a slight exaggeration), pretty much the only thing I can stand to wear is shorts and a tank top. Sooo… I decided to take that favorite piece and expand it into something just as comfy and versatile – a tank dress. / Overall, I am pleased with how it came out. The dress is a tad tighter than I’d like and it’s further emphasized by the thin, clinginess of the fabric, but I know that when I try this again I’ll just cut more generously and use a heavier knit. In an amazing color, of course. / This was definitely a fun experiment and the end result feels very ready for tea with The Queen. ;) I can’t wait to try this out with some layers when fall rolls around. Cardigans, jackets and et cetera. Mmm…
Material Notes
This fabric was given to me in a bag of vintage textiles (which included the fabric for my 70s-inspired skirt) and I decided it would be perfect for a test run of my idea. The color isn’t my best (it actually looks kind of green in these photos, but it’s much more grey/blue) which meant I wouldn’t be devastated if it didn’t turn out the way I hoped. I took one of my tanks, folded it in half and placed it on the crease of the fabric. Using that as a very rough guide, I cut out the dress. I was kind of freaked out because I don’t think I’ve ever tried something so completely pattern-free, but I figured the knit would be forgiving. / It was. I sewed the dress together at the sides, hemmed it up and bound the neck and arm holes with bias cut from the leftover fabric. The “belt” is simply the excess fabric I cut from the hemline.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Categories
16 Comments
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Aug 26, 2011, 11.17 AMby Dee Durrant
Such a lovely dress! I can’t believe you made it without a pattern!
Aug 25, 2011, 08.24 PMby Amanda Flynn
Wow, thank you all! :)
Curly Gurlz, I used a regular tank top as my basic guide for the top part of the dress, and sewed it on a regular machine. The seams don’t fray so I didn’t need to finish them – super easy! ;)
dilshadburman – I’m hoping to make up another one soon and take pictures as I go. I’ll post an update if I do the tutorial! :)
Aug 25, 2011, 11.16 AMby gray
wow!! It inspires me to be more free style! But I must say brave with knit fabric- it can be such a cow!! This looks just fantastic, great job!
Aug 25, 2011, 02.14 AMby dilshadburman
LOVERRLYYY!
Instructions maybe?
Aug 24, 2011, 10.01 PMby Delphina14
Gorgeous! Great job! This dress looks fabulous on you. I don’t think this is too tight, it fits perfectly. Simplicity 2443 is similar to this style.
Aug 24, 2011, 04.43 PMby Curly Gurlz
What pattern did you use for this tank dress? Did you use a regular machine or a serger?
Aug 24, 2011, 01.51 PMby urdujabee
Outstanding! This is gorgeous! And very versatile too! Love it!
Aug 24, 2011, 12.25 PMby lennert
Beautiful dress! Also love the colour…
Aug 12, 2011, 12.54 AMby Amanda Flynn
Thank you all so much for the kind comments! You’re so sweet!
I guess the dress isn’t really too “tight,” it’s just that the fabric clings and accentuates everything underneath, like undergarment seams and everything. ;)
And yes, I cut the skirt so that it flared out a bit at the sides, since I didn’t want it to look like too much of a plain shift. :)
Aug 11, 2011, 07.14 PMby oonaballoona
this is sooo elegant. i don’t think it looks too tight!
Aug 11, 2011, 07.04 PMby peaches2218
It’s not too tight on you at all. The shape is incredibly flattering, the colouring is elegant, and the belt makes it much more than just a tank top! This one is definitely a keeper! I agree with peaudane that tank dresses with fuller skirts are much more flattering.
Aug 11, 2011, 01.14 PMby psychorat
I love it! You look adorable and the color is great.
Aug 11, 2011, 12.23 PMby nikkishell
great dress!
Aug 11, 2011, 12.17 PMby ferret-mom
Gorgeous dress. I love simple classic items like this.
Aug 11, 2011, 07.09 AMby peaudane
Great dress! I love versatile styles like this, and your dress is different than most tank dresses because it has volume in the skirt. The color is lovely on you.
Aug 11, 2011, 07.09 AMby peaudane
Great dress! I love versatile styles like this, and your dress is different than most tank dresses because it has volume in the skirt. The color is lovely on you.