Peppermint Bardon Dress

I've been wanting to make a colourblocked version of this free pattern from Elbe Textiles published in Pepperment Magazine, . So when The Fabric Store was having a sale towards the end of last year, I popped down and spent forever loitering by the the linen shelf, draping different combinations of colours to find a set I wanted. 

I am delighted with this dress (even though am a bit unsure over the practicalities of actually wearing it out and about!). But it certainly is gloriously fun swishing about around the house in. 

There was a bit of raised eyebrows from Mr Clueless, apparently its "not my usual style" (he has a point, I am very much a fitted waist dresses sort of person normally - see all prev Simplicity 1419s) - to which I responded that it is definitely all the rage currently to be wearing tiered maxi dresses. Little house on the prairie style is totally making a comeback. 


In terms of fit my measurements I fell into a size B but as it is quite a loose fitted dress (based on all the instagram versions I've stalked) I cut a size A as the finished garment measurements looked like it should have enough ease - it ended up just a skoosh tight (it actually feels perfectly fine to wear but you can see the creases in the linen around the armpits from the subtle stretching after you wear it for a while) so next time I may make a size B after all?  Also I noticed the top of the bodice line does ride up slightly at the front compared to the back, which may be due to having sized down and the subsequent reduction in boobie space?  However the arm scythe fell at a good spot and the straps were the right length on size A so overall I'm still okay with the fit. I may shorten the torso a smidge on the next version too as it hits low around the waist which makes wearing a belt that lines up with the colour blocking a bit awkward. 


The two skirt tiers I cut my own rectangles, roughly following the pattern guide. The linen was 145cm wide so I just used the whole width for the first tier, 45cm in length. 

Second tier was 125cm x2 (the pattern had recommended 105cm but I wanted some extra frill!), 33cm in length post hemming. 

Bodice was 41cm in length. Total dress height ~120cm which is maxi length on me! 



After I made the dress I was delighted to find that I had a cardigan that matched perfectly! 

Some twirling pics to finish!








 


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