A Vali Dress Reconnecting With The Joy Of Sewing

29/07/2021

Before I tell you about my new Vali dress. Let me explain my life long affair with sewing. For over 48 years sewing has given back to me. It has provided me with clothes I could not afford to buy, escape when life was not going well and joy. Pure joy in creating something with my own hands. For 9 years it also provided me with a job that I loved. Not bad for a hobby I first began at 10 years of age!

Under Pressure

A few years ago, I became under pressure to sew for other people, brands and magazines. I ended up burning myself out. During the last few years I have rarely sewn. Until that is the sun came out and Lockdown happened all at the same time. My love for sewing has been rekindled with this gorgeous pattern . . .

ldj wearing a linen self sewn vali dress

Sewing A Vali Dress By Pattern Fantastique

Having admired this pattern for weeks during Lockdown, I finally made my mind up to make a linen version for summer. Pattern Fantastique also sell ready made versions of the sewing patterns, I bought my pattern as PDF’S take so long to tape together.

vali dress pattern by pattern fantastique — Vali dress pattern by Pattern Fantastique

The central purpose of our aesthetic is to make things that are worn often and are long-lasting without compromising on the “Fantastique factor”. We do not pursue hot trends, instead believing in long-lasting products.
Pattern Fantastique

lazy Daisy Jones Blog — Vali Dress By pattern Fantastique

Vali Dress The Details.

Fabric:

used a tablecloth bought from H&M home! At over 3 m long it was perfect for this project plus. the quality is beautiful. I will be checking the Winter sale again this year and I suggest you do the same and add the fabric to your stash. You can always use it as a table cloth whilst you are waiting to decide on a project!

Pattern Notes and Changes:

As a size 12, I cut between a size 12/14 as a like a little room around my arms. The size was perfect. I ignored the instructions about facing the bodice and instead cut two and used one as a lining. I shorten the sleeves slightly, as this is a summer dress. the biggest change was that I cut the sides straight instead of the curved hem, I flared the edges into more of an ‘A’ line shape and I love the result. Iused the stripes in the most inventive way I could to be able to use up the fabric and not have too much waste.