Oh, hi! Long time no see!
I disappeared for a while…got weary of social media, felt run down, and my sewjo ran for the hills….then just as my sewjo was showing signs of returning along with my energy, my mum’s health started giving her problems and I’ve been stressed out by that while snatching an hour here and there for sewing.
Anyhoo, today I want to share my wrap sundress by Lekala patterns. It’s my entry for this year’s Sewtogetherforsummer challenge. The challenge is being run by three awesome ladies on Instagram, namely @sewsarahsmith (Sarah), @sewing_in_spain (Suzy) and @rocco.sienna (Monika) and it ends on June 21st, so I only just made it in time with a few days to spare.
I chose to use a fabric from my stash that I got as a present last Christmas. It’s a viscose twill by Mind The Maker and it came from MeterMeterDK. As you know I don’t buy prints unless the design intrigues me and I loved the randomness of the big olive spots on this one.
Wrap Sundress By Lekala Patterns Custom Sizing Option
Ok, so let’s talk a bit about the pattern. I can vaguely remember using a Lekala pattern some years back and to be honest, I’d forgotten about the company but my recent interest in a few Russian pattern companies jogged my memory about Lekala.
I hopped onto the website and browsed the dresses when this wrap design (#4665) with the tie detail and asymmetric hemline appealed to me, so I popped it in my basket and that’s when I saw the option to make an account and input your measurements for a more custom fit pattern. Of course, I had to give it a go.
‘So tell me, Diane, what did you think of the custom sizing?’…Well, I’m glad you asked! I think overall, I’m quite impressed but with a caveat…Bear in mind that every pattern has built-in ease according to the designer’s taste. So if you want a looser or tighter fit you still may need to make adjustments. That was the case for me.
I found that my pattern was too roomy around the waistline so I deepened the back vertical fisheye darts and added one on each front panel as well. I also created more cutaway armholes to show a bit more shoulder. I found the bust dart to be perfect with regards to height and how much intake it had for my bust size. I loved that the pattern had little darts on the back shoulder seams because those are something that I often add myself if they aren’t there. I also found the back neckline and front ‘V’ neckline to be spot on.
The instructions are in English and are fairly easy to follow (a bit better than Burda in some respects). They are laid out well in simple steps…no illustrations though. I followed them pretty much to the letter and it turned out to be a nice project to sew.
The original design has a mahoosive eyelet set into the right front edge to thread the ties through and I really wanted to do the same. I searched online for curtain eyelets and most places only sold in quite large amounts. It was nigh on impossible to get a single one. In the end, I bought a pack of 10 and naively assumed that a handy tool for inserting them would be included…wrong! I had a vague recollection of making curtains years ago and creating the eyelets with a handy little kit. When the pack of 10 arrived that was all I got…no tool, nothing. I searched again online and realised that a special insertion machine was anything from £20 to £50! So onto plan B!
Plan B turned out to be a random chunky ring that I found floating around my button tin, attached to the front with a small tab of fabric. It does the job! I simply pull one tie through the ring and then fasten the two ties together. The underwrap side fastens with small waist ties at the side seam in the same way that a dressing gown might.
Of course, as luck would have it, the minute that I finish my dress, get my blog photos and write my blog post…the lovely Summer weather that we’ve been having lately comes to an abrupt end…typical! I’m sure it will return at some point though and when it does I’m ready!
As usual here are a few more photos for you, including some more detailed shots. Enjoy!
Well, that wasn’t too bad, getting back into writing blog posts that is. I was worried I’d feel a bit rusty, but I didn’t. It’s just as well, because I’ll be back next Wednesday with another new make, so I’ll catch you then. In the meantime, let’s chat in the comments…how have you been? How’s your sewjo?
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What a lovely dress, Diane! Lekala totally disappeared from my radar, time to revisit their site. I’ve had mixed results with their patterns but the good ones were really good! Sorry to hear you’ve had such a tense time. Sending hugs!
Author
Aww, thank you, Marianne! I agree, I think there are a few gems amongst the patterns. I think I’ll definitely try them again.
A fabulous dress, Diane! Love, love your choice of fabric – ‘a spot but not a spot’ – it really helps with the sense of movement and drape of your fabric as does that tie. The effect is laid-back and elegant to – beautifully done. It’s interesting to hear you talk about ease – I often find it difficult to draw a line between over-fitting and leaving enough ease – without being swamped or losing the sense of shape of a garment. I think you judged it perfectly. I’m sorry to hear about your Mum – I understand exactly how that goes and I hope she’s managing better now. As lockdown eases there are other pressures too. I’m always heartened (sounds odd I know) when anyone drops in-and-out of their blogging – as I definitely do – only because it’s a reminder to us all that there’s a balance to be struck. Sewjo is a big part of that and it can’t exist in isolation. That said, it’s lovely to see you back and I hope you see plenty of sun in your new frock!
Author
Ahhh, thank you so much, Alice. Lovely to receive such a nice welcome back. I can’t deny it’s quite an ongoing worrisome time, looking after an elderly parent but I know mum appreciates every minute of my help and company and always encourages my sewing and blogging.
Hi Diane!
Great post and FABULOUS dress! Your choice of fabric, your fitting and bits of nips/tucks, really make this dress sing! Elegant, interesting with an easy summery fit. I think this dress is much more than the sum of its parts!
Very glad that you “are back” and dearly hope that your mom is improving!
Author
Thank you so much, Joan! It’s nice to be back 🙂 So glad you love my latest make. I’m thrilled with it and know it will feel just as good to wear.
Glad to have you back, and sorry to hear about your mum! I love this dress, great pattern/fabric combo!
Author
Thanks, Maggie! It’s nice to be back too. Glad you like my dress xx
I had to comment to tell you how nice it is to see you, and I love the wrap dress. And your creativity!
Be well.
Author
Ahhh, that’s so kind of you, thanks for pausing to comment Cherie!
Nice dress. I use Lekala all the time, they are my go to company. I’ve made curtains with big eyelets before, I’ve never needed a tool, they just clip together.
Author
Thank you so much. I think I’ll be using Lekala again. They have so many styles to choose from too!
You know, I’m sure that many years ago I used clip together curtain eyelets too. I couldn’t seem to find any this time. I think I’ll have another thorough search online because it would be lovely to add one to my dress.