Fabric I Have Anticipated For Months

When you wear a full length yo-yo Kimono to Quilt Market, you are bound to connect with fabric loving people. That is what happened when I went to the Riley Blake Designs booth last Fall. I talked fabric with many of the designers and daydreamed of projects to make with all of their fun and interesting designs. I spent considerable time with Gerri Robinson of Planted Seed Designs. I enjoyed seeing her earlier collections and I fell in love with her newest collections Gem Stones.

These designs are fantastic! The prints feature an ombre confetti pattern that runs from selvedge to selvedge. There is a kaleidoscope of color choices with an underlying texture and metallics.

My excitement for this collection was evident and we discussed a collaboration to trumpet the release of the collection which is now available!

From the collection, I chose Multi Blue Raspberry though I LOVE every color and variation. I am obsessed with the vertical direction of this ombre design and the saturation of the colors. I chose to make Simplicity 8146, an easy summer sundress.

This simple dress pattern showcases the fabric without being busy or having complicated pieces.

The layout of the fabric required some thought to maintain continuity of design. 

I tied it all together by choosing the darker section of the fabric for the front and back ties and shoulder straps. 

I made the size medium of the pattern and did not like the bodice fit. The dress is meant to have a blousing effect in the bodice. The medium was too big and required the insertion of 2 darts in the underarm seams.  On the inside, I folded in 2 inches at the top and tapered to a point at the waistline. It was a quick fix to remove 4 inches from the side seams.

Slight fit issues aside, this is a fast dress to make and will be a summer staple for me. 

My son did not see me make this dress, only the completed photos. His first question was to ask if I dyed the fabric myself because it "looks just like something you would do"! That made me so happy! I was drawn to it when I  saw it and love the dress I made with it.  

Happy Sewing,

Bianca