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3.21.2013

Oliver + S Roller Skate Dress in Voile

Why the heck did it take me so long to make a dress out of voile?  Now that is a great question!

oliver + s roller skate

I've used voile for blankets, garment linings, even soft shoes... but I had never made an entire dress out of voile.

oliver + s roller skate

I think the main reason was probably because it's quite sheer.  I would not recommend sewing an unlined dress in this material.   You would definitely be able to see through it.

oliver + s roller skate

But for a lined dress, it really is fabulous, especially for those of us living in warmer climates like myself.  Two layers of voile are still light, airy and just right, even for the hottest days.

oliver + s roller skate

Voile does seem to fray more than quilting cotton, in my experience.  So, I was careful not to trim too close to the stitching.  When clipping and notching curves, I left a generous 1/8"-1/4" of fabric between each notch and my seam.  

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I once had a double gauze dress that was near and dear to my heart fray through the seam because I clipped too close (but not into) the seam.  I learned that lesson the hard way! 

oliver + s roller skate in voile

This dress does run a little big, especially on top.  The fit of the top of this dress is quite generous in my opinion (but we are a small framed family).  After experimenting to get the fit just right on Indigo's version, I decided to cut Evie's dress in a size 3 even though she normally wears a size 4.   Then I added an inch to the length.   Because of the slipperiness of the voile, it slipped off of her shoulder at times!

oliver + s roller skate in voile
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She has some growing to do before this dress will fit her perfectly.  If I were to make it again, I would cut the top even smaller and then add some extra length to the bottom.  

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Evie told me she would only let me take her picture today if she could wear her hair down with a headband and hold flowers from our vase.   She's a girl who likes to do things on her terms and this time I was happy to oblige.  I love when it works out like that!

14 comments:

  1. Such a sweet dress! And lovely photos too. I found it to be a bit large on top too.

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    1. thanks brittney. that's interesting that you had that same experience as well!

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  2. Ah, beautiful fabric on Evie, it looks really fantastic on her! Funny I don't think mine ended up too big, even though Em's chest places her in the 18-24 month category and I made a 3T (with 1" added to the bottom). The neck is a bit wider, though.

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    1. i'm so glad you were happy with the fit! i guess every child is different and my girls are especially narrow in the shoulders.

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  3. she is so beautiful! that dress in voile is really perfect, and it must feel so wonderful to wear. you make such gorgeous stuff :)

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    1. thank you so much, gail! YOU make such gorgeous stuff! i am a huge fan of your sewing.

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  4. Love this in the voile - this print and colourway are so perfect for her
    - I have an (expensive) habit of using voile solid for lining - it feels so lovely on!

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    1. Thanks so much! Voile lining - what a lucky recipient! I am hoping, since voile is a little more pricy, that this dress will hold up well enough to be passed along. Voile really is great, though, isn't it?

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  5. Your daughter has a wonderful sense of style with the bright yellow flower and the purple headband. I love the scale of the flowers on your fabric. I am thinking about making the tunic out of voile. I made this dress a size smaller and added an inch in length for my daughter. I used a heavy cotton with quilting weight for lining. I think the fabric impacts the fit. I think the neck may be too wide but not too low.

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    1. Jennifer, this is a really great point! I made the first version in a heavier quilting cotton and it fit our older daughter quite well. I cut a second version for her in voile and am wondering how it will fit, because I too wondered if the difference was in the fabric choice.

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  6. A voile dress? Sign me up! I bet that it's incredibly soft and smooth and silky to wear!
    And obviously Evie loves it (could she be any cuter? Nope. Not possible!)

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    1. Aww, thank you so much! She does love the dress - She asked to wear it again today! I'll admit that secretly thrills me. :) It's the small things...

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  7. Ah, I love this fabric!!! So pretty! And yes, it must be so soft and light to wear. Evie is just stunning, btw. (But you knew that.)

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  8. I see Evie is taking after her big sister with some awesome modeling skills! You take the BEST fashion photos.

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