How to feel gorgeous AND comfortable - the KeeLin Dress
It's time to announce my new favourite dress .....
The KeeLin Dress* by Designer Stitch.
I seriously love this dress. It hasn't made it into the wardrobe yet - as soon as it's clean, I'm wearing it again.
I made this version in rayon for plenty of drape. The added benefit was that I managed to have just enough of this fabric already in my stash. I grabbed it some time ago from the clearance table at Spotlight. I have a love/hate relationship with rayon. I love wearing it- it drapes beautifully, and is nice a breathable. Yet cutting the pieces can be so frustrating. Getting the fabric square and ensuring it doesn't warp as you're cutting.
This version has the lower neckline, ruffle sleeve and single ruffle bottom. It also has vertical darts, and a self-fabric belt. And of course, it has pockets!
Other options include a top length, double ruffles, bishop sleeves or long sleeves (with cuff & placket).
I made my usual adjustments to the pattern. But made a toile first to check fit. I blended out one size from the waist to the hips (using notches to make sure the blending happened at the same point on front and back). Trying on my toile, I realised that my bust darts were a little low, so I shifted them up about an inch. As the dress is loose fitting, I didn't bother with a sway back adjustment. I also kept the dress the length as per the pattern.
I love that this dress is so easy to wear - always an ideal in dresses that I make. I found it amusing that I had been looking at a Gorman dress, thinking I could make a version using the KeeLin pattern, and then found out that the KeeLin was actually based on a Gorman dress style.
Depending on the options you choose you can have quite a bit of gathering to do. But it doesn't have to be hard to gather those ruffles. When gathering, I chose a long stitch length (~4.5mm) and a loose tension (I actually use the baste function on my machine). I put a different coloured bobbin in for my gathering (something easy to see). Then I'll use two rows of gathering stitches, half of the 'circle' in one colour, and half in the other. With the stitches done, I pin at the quadrants (eg centre front and back, and side seams), and pull the coloured bobbin threads until the ruffle is the same size as the main piece. I never have trouble with threads snapping. And it's easy to distribute the gathers for an even ruffle.
Make sure you check out the pattern listing and tester round-ups to see all the amazing options with the KeeLin Dress and Top. I've been seeing versions of the top out and about recently, so I think I'll have to have a go making one for myself.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I received a copy of the pattern for testing. The sewing and opinions are all my own.
The KeeLin Dress* by Designer Stitch.
I seriously love this dress. It hasn't made it into the wardrobe yet - as soon as it's clean, I'm wearing it again.
I made this version in rayon for plenty of drape. The added benefit was that I managed to have just enough of this fabric already in my stash. I grabbed it some time ago from the clearance table at Spotlight. I have a love/hate relationship with rayon. I love wearing it- it drapes beautifully, and is nice a breathable. Yet cutting the pieces can be so frustrating. Getting the fabric square and ensuring it doesn't warp as you're cutting.
This version has the lower neckline, ruffle sleeve and single ruffle bottom. It also has vertical darts, and a self-fabric belt. And of course, it has pockets!
Other options include a top length, double ruffles, bishop sleeves or long sleeves (with cuff & placket).
I made my usual adjustments to the pattern. But made a toile first to check fit. I blended out one size from the waist to the hips (using notches to make sure the blending happened at the same point on front and back). Trying on my toile, I realised that my bust darts were a little low, so I shifted them up about an inch. As the dress is loose fitting, I didn't bother with a sway back adjustment. I also kept the dress the length as per the pattern.
I love that this dress is so easy to wear - always an ideal in dresses that I make. I found it amusing that I had been looking at a Gorman dress, thinking I could make a version using the KeeLin pattern, and then found out that the KeeLin was actually based on a Gorman dress style.
Depending on the options you choose you can have quite a bit of gathering to do. But it doesn't have to be hard to gather those ruffles. When gathering, I chose a long stitch length (~4.5mm) and a loose tension (I actually use the baste function on my machine). I put a different coloured bobbin in for my gathering (something easy to see). Then I'll use two rows of gathering stitches, half of the 'circle' in one colour, and half in the other. With the stitches done, I pin at the quadrants (eg centre front and back, and side seams), and pull the coloured bobbin threads until the ruffle is the same size as the main piece. I never have trouble with threads snapping. And it's easy to distribute the gathers for an even ruffle.
Make sure you check out the pattern listing and tester round-ups to see all the amazing options with the KeeLin Dress and Top. I've been seeing versions of the top out and about recently, so I think I'll have to have a go making one for myself.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I received a copy of the pattern for testing. The sewing and opinions are all my own.
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