I don’t know about you, but there are just some patterns and designs that I mull over far too long before trying them out. I know you MUST have gone through the same experience – instead of purchasing the pattern that you REALLY want, you buy some other pattern that seems close enough, and is on sale (if you are me and cheap) – and then it never quite hits the mark (leading to wasted fabric, disappointment, and frustration – yuck!)… Well, folks – this pattern was that for me. And I am here to say publicly – I have NO IDEA what I was waiting for!
This make is the True Bias Southport and is a fabulous easy to wear summer dress (or swimsuit cover up). It is designed for a C-cup (yay for no FBA), and is just a fantastic and fun make all around.
From the site:
Pattern description:
The Southport dress is a tank style dress designed to be worn as a coverup at the beach or a dress for around town. It has a button opening at center front and a drawstring waist with inseam pockets. View A hits 20” from the waist. View B is maxi length and hits 42” from the waist and includes a center front slit.
Suggested Fabrics:
Light weight, woven fabrics with movement such as cotton voile, rayon challis, crepe de chine, and lightweight linen.
I finally used my stash fabric!!!
I made this version in a rayon challis that has been in my stash since last December! It was one of the first large cuts of fabric I bought myself (yes – I was exclusively buying remnants from Joann’s for the better half of a year, lol), and it has been made and remade in my mind into no less than a dozen garments…
Button placket – using snaps? Heck yeah!
This dress features a button placket, which is adorable, but I mean – buttons? On super lightweight rayon challis? Yep – wasn’t something I was DYING to check off my skills list… So I skipped it! Katie from The Creative Counselor used snaps for her Bruyere, and ever since then I have been looking for the perfect project to use some – and this was the day!
Pockets and a waist tie – yep – this dress is everything!
Another requisite feature that I am digging are the nice deep pockets! I have never used a bar tack in a pocket before (gasp – for shame), but the techniques used here have given me a really nice finish. For the majority of the instructions, I used the sewalong for guidance, and it made putting the dress together – a snap (hahahaha – corny seamstress joke, I know)!
Two things I wish I had done differently
While I seriously adore this garment, there are two things I wish I done differently. The first, is to have used similar weighted bias tape to finish the neckline and armholes (even if that meant making my own). I used store-bought bias tape and its just too heavy for the lightweight rayon challis.
The second is to have just gone with the buttons – but stitched them down instead of fiddling with buttonholes. I am nearing the end of my breastfeeding relationship, so I will likely not need the placket for functionality soon. Buttons would have been more lightweight than the snaps, and again would have been a better complement for the fabric.
Seriously though – these are like SUPER minor nits – this dress is otherwise pretty amazing, and I thank Kelli from True Bias for allowing me to try it out!
Thanks for stopping by,
-Mac
PS – for more pictures, check out my review on Pattern Revolution for the MAXIMIZE May Series!
Nice make! I love that fabric…score for using stash! And your smile is always a big hit! I may have to pick up a copy of that pattern. I like True Bias’ patterns anyway, ever since I fell in love with Hudson pants. Another great make, Mac!!! ❤
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Thank you Tonya! True Bias patterns are so lovely! I keep trying to talk myself out of buying new patterns (it seems for every garment I sew, I collect another 5-7 patterns) – and that is not a great ratio! LOL!!! Please share a link to your version when you make it!
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Mac! You have knocked it out of the park with this one! Beautiful dress, beautiful lady!
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Thank you, Heidi – I was feeling pretty pleased with my accomplishment on this one… Wovens always work me up (I need to work hard this year to get over that fear)!
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Gorgeous! Both you and the dress 🙂
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Awww – thank you so much! 🙂
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LOVE!!!!! The print is too cute! And can you even go wrong with a Southport Dress though? I am yet to find someone who doesn’t look amazing in one. While the weight of the snaps may not have been ideal for the rayon, I find that the pearl snaps look fantastic with the print though.
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Totally agree – I think the dress is drafted to be so effortlessly chic that truly EVERYONE looks good in it! Have you made one???
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What a great looking dress. It looks fabulous on you.
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Thank you Gale! I really love it – apologies for the delayed response!!!
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