June 30, 2015

Take a peachy risk: another Southport dress


I recently realized that I’ve fallen into a bit of a rut: a blue/purple/black, shirt/wrap/maxi rut. There’s no denying the fact it’s quite a cosy rut and I’m pretty comfortable down there, rolling around in the jersey and double gauzes, but I had a suspicion there might be more to life than this. Maybe?

So, when Art Gallery Fabrics came a’callin’ and asked if I’d like to try out their new Cultivate range, it seemed like the ideal time to try some rut-busting! Because seriously, what better way to take a risk, than with some free fabric? 🙂

And so, my peachy dress was born:

True Bias Southport dress

Clearly the risk here was the colour, as I’m already a card-carrying True Bias Southport fan. I chose the Rowby Row Lit in peach, which is totally outside my comfort zone, but I’m currently a sucker for the “hand-painted” stripes trend so I thought I’d give it a go. After fretting for a solid week about whether it would suit me or not, I took the plunge.

For the pattern, I decided to use the shorter Southport length, though after reading that the drafted short pieces have a lot less ease than the maxi pieces, I just used the maxi and chopped it off at the knee. I left off the button placket and just cut on the fold, and I added a bit more onto the armscye for bra coverage. For a bit of pizzazz (read with *jazz hands*), I made a yoke which comes over the shoulders and a hem band in  some lovely coordinating peach voile from Grey’s Fabrics.  The hem’s probably a bit too low now, but I was too lazy to fix it.

True Bias Southport dress

 

Easy peasy!

True Bias Southport dress

So, did the risk pay off? I’m not sure. I’m still not 100% convinced by the colour on me… I think it may be too close to my skintone. Also, the cotton isn’t as heavy as quilting weight but it’s also not quite as drapey as the Southport calls for so it isn’t quite as well fitting as the last one that I made. 

True Bias Southport dress

That said, I have a sneaking suspicion that this is going to turn into one of those dresses that despite the fact I don’t love it, I still end up wearing all the damn time because it’s as comfortable as a sack and washes like a dream.

True Bias Southport dress

Do you fall into sewing ruts like me? How do you get out of them? And what’s the biggest sewing risk you took recently?

Disclosure: I received the main fabric for this dress for free from Art Gallery Fabrics. 

39 thoughts on “Take a peachy risk: another Southport dress

  1. Lovely dress – I think the color looks great! (and I wouldn’t say that if it weren’t true!) It may be a softer look than you’re used to, but you look fantastic.

    As far as sewing ruts are concerned….oof! I’m still stuck in a lingerie rut! Honestly, I usually just ride them out to the end, since I’m bound to get tired of something if I repeat it enough times. As long as I’m being productive, why fight it?

    1. Aw, thanks! A lingerie rut sounds most luxurious, so I reckon you should just go with it…

  2. Denise says:

    I like the color a lot! It could do with a bit more drape, but otherwise it’s pretty darn cute. TNT t-shirts would be my rut– I LOVE color, so I don’t get stuck there very often, but I’ve lost track of how many versions of my TNTt I have:)

    1. One can never have too many TNTs!

  3. Kristy says:

    I love the colour on you, it suits your skin tone really well! I am only just starting sewing my own clothes so no rut for me yet

    1. That’s great that you just started! Ride that wave of excitement!

  4. fabrictragic says:

    Colour’s lovely on you! My last risky fabric choice was white – risky as I’m as pale as a ghost and have a tendency to make a mess….. Thus far unscathed…..

    1. I reckon you could do white! Worst case, you can always dye it… (not that I’m brave enough to myself!)

  5. megret1979 says:

    It turned out great! I think the color is nice- I like how you incorporated in the solid peachy fabric.

    1. Thanks! Maybe the peach will grow on me 🙂

  6. Janet B says:

    Such a pretty dress! You look great in it.

  7. Oh, I love the yoke! That and the stripe at the hem really make the dress for me. I think the color works for you, but I totally get what you mean about wearing it even if it doesn’t! I should have FBA’d my first Southport but didn’t, so I thought I wouldn’t wear it much. But I’ve been wearing it constantly, so I’m finally cutting out a second because I want a properly fitting one!

    I’m in a sewing rut lately, but I like it! I keep being super attracted to blues and grays. Just made up the Papercut Sway dress in some midnight blue linen-rayon and it is HEAVENLY. Probably my favorite dress I’ve ever made, even though the silhouette is so far from my usual.

    1. Your Southports (together with Rosie’s) really persuaded me to try it out! Sounds like you’re in an awesome rut, keep it up 🙂

  8. Bev Brown says:

    I really like that colour on you. I love the mix of stripe and solid

  9. puu says:

    i love the yoke idea. great way to add contrast to a TNT pattern! i happen to like the colour for you, FWIW, so i’d keep it in rotation to get you through the summer 🙂

    1. Thanks Devra! It was Ashley’s idea and I think it worked pretty well, especially with the hem

  10. V Reed says:

    I love the bold yoke and hemline! So pretty! I think the color suits you quite well, but I understand when it isn’t a color you feel is quite “you.”

    My rut is skirts. I’ve sewn a slew of them this year and only one top. And I’m terribly unhappy with the top, which may be what is keeping me from making another rather than leaping off into a skirt, again.

    1. I think it may grow on me… we will see! Skirts are the bees knees as far as sewing satisfaction goes, I think. Have you tried the Renfrew t-shirt though? I basically just make one to go with every skirt and consider that a full outfit 🙂

  11. sewingsu says:

    I think your dress looks amazing! Perfect for summer. I finished my first southport today and know i will be making more – as you say comfie but looks good too!!

    1. Welcome to the Southport club 🙂

  12. I think the colour is great – complimenting your skin tone rather than washing you out, and it helps that the lipstick is a perfect match for the yolk 😉

    1. I can always rely on your for notes on the lipstick Sophie-Lee! It’s a new fave from Giorgio Armani

  13. Lori says:

    I like this dress on you and the color is so good for summer, great job on the contrast pieces.

    1. Thank you, Lori. I suspect I’ll be wearing a lot when the weather finally heats up!

  14. Barbara says:

    I love that peach color on you and also like the way you used the plain peach for accents on the yoke and the hem. You did a really good job.

  15. I agree with the others, the colors look great on you!

  16. Emily C. says:

    I love the color and the dress! You could always put a cute cardi on over it, too if it’s too much peach for you.
    As for my sewing rut… I’m pretty content to just stay in it. 😉

  17. Tanya Maile says:

    I love the solid contrast to the stripes and think the peach looks great on you. Nothing wrong with being in a “rut”. It’s summer and I think you found your perfect summer dress, so make away! 🙂

  18. Mary Danielson Perry says:

    Oh, I love the contrast on this Southport, Jenny! And while I totally understand things being outside of your comfort zone, this peach color looks fabulous on you. You look super summery and chic!

  19. I think this is gorgeous, and I love the contrast solid sections which really make the dress special. I think it does suit you. And, yes, sometimes it’s a good idea to unrutify yourself from time to time, even if it’s just to see if you can!

  20. The peach yoke and hem take this dress to a whole new level, I love it!

  21. gingermakes says:

    I love this! The color is pretty on you! I made a peach dress recently that’s basically identical to my skin tone. It probably looks weird, but I really like the color so I’m gonna wear it anyway. Let’s see, sewing risks? I’m working on a dress that I really didn’t have enough fabric for, so I’m basically making a patchwork quilt in a dress shape. Hopefully it won’t be too noticeable! 😀

  22. Love the yoke, a really great addition to a gorgeous dress!
    I always have the same worry about pastel shades of pink and peach with my fair skin but you are pulling it off beautifully!
    H.

  23. Beth says:

    I really love this dress on you! I have been sewing for over forty years, and find your blog so inspiring. I discovered you while listening to The Crafty Planner podcast yesterday. I’m off to try the Sorbetto with some silk/cotton voile I have been stashing for a few years. I think I will underline it with a batiste, as it is sheer.

    1. Nice to hear from you Beth! Good luck with the sorbetto – I think it’ll be lovely in an underlined voile.

Let me know what you think!