Hello, friends!
I’m happy to share my latest dress with you! A perfect summer frock to keep you cool and comfortable on the sweltering days yet to come.
[source: Decades of Style Patterns]
I used this fabulous navy and pink double gauze by Cotton+Steel that I purchased from Harts Fabrics. It took me a while to choose which color of this particular print to use for this dress and in the end I felt the navy would be the best choice for a dress with no lining which I also didn’t want to wear a slip with. I used a matching linen from my stash for the contrast yoke and self-fabric belt.
This was my first time sewing with double gauze, and OHMYGOSH I am in LOVE! <3 I’ve sewn with cotton gauze several times before, but double gauze (which is two layers of gauze woven together) is even better. I especially love double gauze in Japanese prints and you can bet that there will be more garments in this fabric. I don’t think it will surpass my love for voile, but it’s a close second.
I made a matching belt for this dress as I prefer having some waist definition with dresses like these. I made this belt with medium weight interfacing and a vintage covered buckle kit. It’s a little bit longer than it should be, but I’m fine with tucking it in. I did kind of a sloppy job sewing the eyelets, so I’ll be putting some fray check on them and neatening them up .
My dress is unlined and does feel even cooler without the belt. The pattern suggests armhole facings and I had some cut out, but in the end decided to make bias tape with my double gauze fabric and use that instead.
I graded this up one size to a 48″ bust size and sewed a narrow hem. Other than that, those were my only alterations.
I just love the pleating detail on the yoke. It adds an interesting design element to a simple shift. I honestly wasn’t certain how I’d feel about wearing a shift dress, but I’m sure this will be in heavy rotation this summer. It’s a winner in that it’s fast and easy to make and cool and comfortable to wear. I can’t ask for more.
Note: I received this pattern as a gift from Decades of Style Patterns. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Happy Sewing!
- Dress: Decades Everyday No. 102 Given a Chance dress in Cotton + Steel double gauze, made by me
- Belt: self-drafted, made by me
- Shoes: Birkenstock Gizeh
- Earrings: Bauble Bar
Looks fabulous. I have this pattern but am bigger in all measurements. Can I just grade everything bigger and if so it would also affect the yoke?
Beautiful! You’ve sold me on this dress for sure!
Tanya, this dress looks great on you; I love the color combo. I am drawn to this pattern, but I already own two similar patterns, and I can’t bring myself to pay for a third. But it’s great, I keep coming back to it 🙂
It is lovely, and looks lovely on you! I love all the dresses you make
fabulous! I just purchased this pattern and am excited to make it.
The front yoke on this dress is so interesting and a plain fabric really does it justice. I do like this dress without the belt but it looks great either way 🙂
So glad you made this! I was looking at buying this pattern the other day, and hunting for versions online to see how it looked made up but could only find one!
It looks great! Good job!
Love this! It looks so great on you!
Really late to the party this time but got to say that that is another knock-out dress. You look lovely in it and that fabric looks great for the Summer. xx
Ooh, I love this. And like Robin said, these colors look fantastic on you!
I’m also a newbie to double gauze–I bought my first few cuts of it about two weeks ago and about to start on a new top with one of them.
That sounds like the makings of a perfect summer top!!
Love it – the colors look great on you. The pattern envelope does no justice to your interpretation. The fabric choice and adding the belt makes this dress a real standout.
Thank you, Robin!! I think I need a couple more! 🙂
So cute! Everyone is doing this pattern lately and I like your version the best! So wearable. That’s something I’m obsessing with right now lol.
Thanks, Amanda! An easy to wear and make dress is always tops in my book!
I LOVE IT! That fabric is beautiful. Cotton and Steel do it again, huh? I think the belt makes the dress. I wouldn’t be able to wear something like that without a belt. It ends up looking like a tent on me. I am interested in that fabric type for summer though. It gets beastly hot here too. Thanks for the continual inspiration!
Thanks, Natasha! I love Cotton+Steel and especially their fashion fabrics. Double gauze is certainly on my list to buy more of!
I love the look of the origami-yoke but gah, shift dresses like these are terrible on me. I’m jealous that this looks so good on you!
Thanks, Sophie! “Origami yoke” is certainly a good name for it!
Very nice dress – love the colour combination. And the fabric sound glorious!
Thank you, Lorraine! I’m not sure why I didn’t get on the double gauze train before!
This looks great on you, Tanya! I really need to make mine in a more modern print and take it in through the bust. I’m also tempted to try to open up the neckline, which I suppose shouldn’t be too hard but I might lose some of the design detail. It should be great for summer!
Thanks, Megan! I can’t wait to see your other versions!
The dress looks fantastic. Great colour blocking. Still looks good without a belt. I’m wondering if a loosely shirred waist might help with the shape without loosing the cooling effect.
Thanks, Amy! That’s probably a great idea if I can figure out how to do it!
I love that it’s cute and modest! I’m sure I’ll have to try this out. But the ESP awaits me first!
Thanks, Laura! I’m looking forward to making another ESP, too!
Lovely dress, Tanya! I really love the yoke detail on it. Makes for lovely colourblocking. 🙂 It’s looks great on you!
Thanks, Andie! The yoke detail really makes the dress, doesn’t it?
Tanya, I love the fabric and the styling of this Decades Everyday pattern. I have a question for you. I am an Apple shape, big around the middle. Do you think I could wear a belt with this style of dress?
Hi, Lettetia! I’m of the opinion that anyone can wear whatever they want if it makes them feel good. Perhaps try on a similar dress in a dept store with a belt and see how you like it?
I just got my first yards of nani iro double gauze and I can. not. wait. to make something with it!
Oh, Nani Iro! I just love those prints!