The resort collection begins - Olivia Wrap Dress

Lovely seamstresses, well wishers and internet randoms who have found their way here, I do believe I've made one of my most favourite garments ever! My latest project for Stitch 56 is a sleeveless version of the Named Olivia Wrap dress. Check it out here!




If you've been reading my blog for a while you'll know I'm a bit of a planner. I love planning my sewing, my knitting, my holidays, my grocery list, and reading about others' planning. We've recently booked a little holiday away to a lovely tropical island, which of course requires some delicious wardrobe planning in anticipation. I'm a notorious over-packer, so have been looking at posts such as this one for lessons in restraint ideas.



I fell in love with this beautiful beautiful viscose knit from the Cloth Shop in Ivanhoe when planning my Olivia dress. I've had terrible viscose experiences before but this fabric was just wonderful to sew with - it ironed well, it enjoyed being fused for hems and it coped very well with unpicking. Clearly there is viscose and there is viscose!


It's such a great pattern. The fit is spot on, there is no gaping with the bodice wrap and the skirt overlay would require a cyclone to result in unseemly flashing. Take care with adding the correct seam allowances in the right places, and if you intend to make it sleeveless without redrafting the armscye be aware that you may have some gaping that requires a little fiddling. I found I had to take it in a bit at the side seam and added a dodgy but genius fix on one side where I threaded very narrow elastic through the armhole hem to tighten it up. I hemmed the armholes in the flat, threaded the elastic through, then closed up the side seam and caught the elastic in the side seam. You can't tell it's there at all. I really am Macgvyer.

But this lovely little frocklet is not the first piece in my Resort Collection! I realised as I was writing my Stitch 56 post that I had forgotten to post here my last project for Helene, so go check it out too! I made some swish little silk shorts using the Merchant and Mills 101 trouser pattern. I'll be making a full length version in the very near future, in a lovely drapey Gorman denim from Clear It that I suspect most Melbourne seamstresses have a piece of in their stash!


Other projects on the list for the Resort Collection? Grainline Maritime shorts, a couple of new Maria Denmark tees, a Cali Faye Basics tank dress, Marilla Walker's Maya top, an Alder, and maybe maybe a jumpsuit! I know - the excitement is going to my head..... 2 months to go!

Comments

  1. ooh that all sounds very exciting! The dress is absolutely gorgeous and the shorts are cuuuute! Your plans sound inspired too. You're going to be one stylish tourist ;)

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  2. Holy cow, that dress looks fantastic on you - shape, color, print, everything is working.

    I wish I were a planner! I get so defiant with plans, especially my own.

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    1. Thanks Morgan! So lovely of you to say! Ha - sometimes my planning borders on pathological.....

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  3. I love the resort collection!! Especially your wrap dress. I have been eyeing the Olivia pattern but I wonder if it's too similar to the Sew Over It pattern I have in my stash. Anyway I am enjoying living vicariously through your interpretation!

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    1. Thanks so much! I was looking at the Sew Over It pattern too, and was so close to buying! The only thing that put me off just a little was how low cut it looks..... I also like that the Olivia has a waist seam, stabilised with elastic, which makes it sit really nicely.

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  4. You look stunning in that dress Sarah, the colours are perfect on you! I love to make sewing plans for trips away, but I'm always way too ambitious...

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    1. Thanks so much! I doubt whether I'll get it all done but I always aim high!

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  5. Great wrap dress. I've been very pleased with the Named patterns I've used.

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    1. Thanks Gail. I think their patterns are great too - beautifully drafted, interesting details. I love their method of collection release too!

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  6. The dress is gorgeous on you, very elegant sleeveless. I've been working on the Olivia and it's turning out very well except the arm scye is a little long on me, (should have guessed it would be). I think I can improve the fit but good to know sleeveless is an option if it comes to that. Looking forward to the rest of your resort collection, you've set the bar high with the first two makes.

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  7. Beautiful fabric and the fit of that dress is perfect, great job!

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    1. Thanks so much - I can't wait to start wearing it!

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  8. I just adore this dress. It's perfect and that fabric is just to die for.

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    1. Thanks Kirsty - bring on the Summer of Foliage!

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  9. Oh man! This dress! Unlike you, I am not a planner, but for the last few months, I've been pinning all the wrap dress patterns I can find out there, seeking for a perfect one! Maybe, it's the Olivia dress?

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    1. Thanks Inna! I must say that I can't see myself wanting to make any other wrap dress pattern after this one! I think it's marvellous!

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  10. I love the dress and you made a very good choice for the print, too! I think it looked so nice. I would’ve loved to make something like that but the weather here is not going to go any warmer!

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    1. Thanks so much Kayla! Add it to your list for next summer! Or add sleeves for winter!

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  11. That's absolutely gorgeous! What a perfect dress for swanning around a tropical island.... I love the sound of your holiday garment plans, and can't think of a more exciting reason to sew!

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  12. That's such a sweet dress! and looks like it would be really versatile too; perfect for dressing up for dinner or barefoot walking on the beach.... :)

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  13. That dress is gorgeous on you! And the fit looks spot on! I love your silk shorts too - they must feel amazing to wear!

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  14. Love, love, love! I feel I say that a lot lately! Great wrap dress Macgyver. Perfectly resort-y and summery as are the shorts. Where you off to??

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    1. Daydream Island! I will be the whitest person on the island, but hopefully the best dressed! ;)

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  15. Well, being a full on, constant planner - I approve of planning out everything! And what a great addition to your Resort collection (which sounds so fancy - I love it). This dress looks fantastic, and I'm so glad you were able to get the sleeveless arms to work! I'm making this dress imminently, so I'm excited to see versions of it!

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    1. Oh I knew you'd approve! I look forward to seeing it with sleeves - there's a few popping up now. Here's to being fancy!

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  16. Gorgeous dress! This pattern was one of my faves from the new collection, and I do believe you've tilted me into the "must buy now" category :-)

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    1. Happy to help tilt you in the right direction! ;)

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