I’ve had this dress planned for awhile, but only just recently finished it. I used a navy sateen from Joann and then ordered Raspberry Rose and Sugar Coral stretch cotton sateen from Mood Fabrics to make the color blocked stripes. I was happy to see that the sateens all matched in texture and feel. It has such a nice weight and drape, holds a press well but doesn’t wrinkle, and feels smooth and solid. I think I need a shirt dress out of another color of sateen.
I cut a size 10 bodice and tapered to a size 12 at the waist and skirt, but the fit is relaxed enough I probably could have sewn a straight size 10.
I really liked how the skirt was gathered on this dress! There were box pleats in the center front and back, then gathers around the sides. I’ve never sewn a skirt with both before.
Beth called this a “party dress,” and while I admit it does pack a punch, I think with nude heels and neutral accessories it would still be office appropriate.
I added pockets of the same navy sateen, but had to finagle them around the seams of the next color. Still, a dress with pockets is my favorite, so it was worth it.
I used this fun multi-color paisley lining fabric from my Grandma’s Stash to fully line the dress, even though the pattern only called for a bodice lining. I think I have finally decided my favorite way to line a dress skirt, that is, to have the lining and the skirt of the dress to be right side to wrong side, whereas the bodice lining is wrong side to wrong side. I just like the way it looks. That means there’s a lot of hand-sewing in my future, though, but I appreciate the professional finish.
The coloring was definitely inspired by this color block dress I found on Pinterest.
