Vogue 1224 ~ Tracy Reese summer dress

The lawn Tracy Reese experiment is finished, and I love it!  I've already worn it. :)  I think the lawn worked perfect for this dress; it is lightweight enough to be drapey.  Those sleeves really need some drape too, they're voluminous!

Note that it's still pretty short, but for a summer dress, I'll show some knee.  I had to add a little splash of lace at the hem; once I added a scant 3/8" hem (the skirt pieces were cut so the hem was at the selvedge, just in case) it was still shorter than I felt comfortable with.  I added some red lace to the white batiste skirt lining, allowing it to peek out and give me another 1.5 inches.  I really, really like the red lace!

I went over most of my construction/alteration details before here, and the only thing I'd change for next time would be to lengthen the bodice another 2" or so and add another 2" to the hem (at least!), especially if I don't want to repeat the lace trick.

I didn't have enough fabric left to do the casing or ties.  For the casing, I just used some of the white batiste I had left over from lining the skirt portion.  (I should have taken a picture of the inside, it looks so tidy!)

The neck drawstring isn't actually functional, it's more of a decorative thing; you sew your drawstrings onto either end of the neck elastic piece.   Then the drawstring just ties in front.  I topstitched my elastic into place at the buttonhole (where the bow is tied) so it wouldn't be moving around.  Since I didn't have enough fabric to make the drawstring, I used some rayon seam binding in a mustardy yellow.

I like it!  It looks and feels like extra wide silk ribbon.

Yay for successful sewing!

I've already dug around in the stash to look for fabric to make a knit version for fall.  I hope you're having a great weekend!!