It’s done! Did I finish it in a week? No but I came close. I lost momentum when my daughter was never home for a fitting (I needed to fit the straps on her for the correct length) and on the day before our trip she said it was no big deal if she packed it or not. So I finished the day after our return. Actually with that time change I think it was the day after the day. I was messed up for a week.

What did I do differently from the pattern? I lined the pockets for better weight. I finished the pockets with two rows of top stitching, a design detail that saved me from slip stitching by hand the lining to the pocket hem.

I top stitched just about everything in the same contrasting color as the straps. Why? It gave it a finished, sporty look. I also top stitched the hem in place. The pattern wanted me to do that by hand but I was having none of that.

sundress strap detail
With so many colors in this fabric I matched the thread to the contrasting strap
sundress pocket
Detail of patch pocket. Two rows of topstitching for looks and avoiding slip stitching. Clever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also put the back zipper in by hand. Now, you know I’m crazy. I avoid a simple slip stitch but sew my zippers in by hand. I prefer the look of a zipper I put in with a prick stitch over the look of a zipper I put in by machine and I’ve gotten really fast at it. I always end up with a crooked machine stitch when I sew it in with my machine and it seems there is always some part I have to rip out and resew. When I do it by hand it’s a one time job.

sundress zipper
Detail of zipper put in by hand.

sundress side view

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading. I’m on to next project; hand painted silk scarves for my mom.

sundress third view
Deep down she’s excited for the new dress.

3 Comments on The Sundress is Done!

  1. What a beautiful dress! THANKS for the step-by-step instructions and hints that the patterns never think to mention. I’m inspired!

    • I’m so pleased you like it. The dress was suppose to be for our trip to Honolulu (where we stayed with AWESOME friends and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves) but teenagers have different priorities than their moms so the fitting for strap length didn’t happen in time. I’m glad I didn’t guess and sew them down using the 5/8″ seam allowance. The straps are cut long. So when you go to sew your version, be sure to try it on your daughter, or yourself, first.

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