This make for me was about turning a sewing failure into a sewing success. I hate feeling like I have wasted a beautiful fabric on a garment that I know won’t get worn. Especially when it is a fabric that I loved and had big expectations for. It’s no secret that I was disappointed in my Wiksten Shift Dress. I think the pattern is a great pattern and looks amazing on so many people. It just wasn’t for me.
The Fiona Sundress by Closest Case Patterns on the other hand is the perfect pattern for me. It was one of the first patterns I brought when I took up sewing after a 3yr hiatus. I now have three of them in my wardrobe that get worn regularly. Feel free to visit my previous Fiona Sundress blog post on the adjustments I made to the pattern.
Given the see through nature of the Broderie Anglaise (currently out of stocked but will be re stocked in earlier 2020) from A + R Fabrics I had no option but to line the dress. It is the first time that I have line the Fiona Sundress and it was surprisingly simple to do and the finish is beautiful.
I cut the main body parts in the main fabric and lining fabric. The only pieces that I cut in the main fabric only was the shoulder straps and the pockets. I also cut the pocket facing in the lining fabric.
I used a cotton / linen blend purchased from Spotlight Stores to line the dress. I fused the lining of the bodice band and pocket facing. I didn’t fuse the front button placket as the lining became the supporting layer in this area.
I cut all of the lining pieces on the CF line at the fold line of the front button placket. The skirt lining was cut at the hem fold of the main fabric. I constructed the main fabric dress without attaching the top bodice band and then the dress lining. I then stitched the main fabric to the lining at the waist seam.
Then baste the main dress to the lining at the top of the bodice. Next step is to sew on the outer top bodice band and attach the should straps. It is very important to check how the straps are fitting at this point and adjust if required. Once the straps have been fitted, sew the bodice band lining onto the dress and finish as per the pattern instruction.
Sew the hem on your skirt lining. I finished my lining hem with a 8mm double turn hem. Finish off the front button placket with the lining fabric finishing at the fold line. Finish the hem on your main skirt by following the pattern instructions, along with the buttons and button holes.
The lining finish on this dress is beautiful. It finishes the dress of so nicely and gives the dress a store brought finish.
So Cool 🙂
I’m so glad you like it!
Love this dress on you! I am a similar size so was inspired to try this pattern. Just did the muslin, top only, since this seems most critical. I tweaked quite a bit and can get a fairly close fit (I prefer well fitted clothes) but the side seam linking the side bodice front and back are nowhere near my side seam. When I add the skirt this will look strange. Did you make any adjustment on side seams?
Hi Kathleen, Umm no I didn’t experience this but is the side seam now sitting towards the front or back? To correct I would draw a line on the toile where you want the side seam to sit on your body and then adjust the front and back side bodice pieces accordingly. Once you have the side seam of the bodice correct I would also measure the skirt pieces to make sure they will fit back to your bodice pieces so all the side seams line up. I also had to adjust the skirt at the waist to be smaller. I did this by adding darts to the front of the skirt hidden under the pocket. I hope you like your Foina Sundress. It is one of my favorite summer dresses! Let me know if you have any other questions on adjusting.