I’m going to be honest with you guys – about halfway into sewing this dress, all the way up until the moment I got dressed to grab these pictures, I had my doubts about this one! I was so excited about the bold, bright colored blossoms and the way they pop off the black background, but somewhere along the way the combination of big sleeves and bold colors started giving me 1980’s vibes and I wasn’t sure it was in a good way. I rode out the construction, hoping it would all work out in the end and knowing that sometimes, they just don’t….
But I think that this time, it did! This is the Dina Dress pattern, which has just released today as part of FIbre Mood’s newest magazine issue. The pattern is available in the physical magazine, or as a pdf online. This pattern can be sewn in virtually any woven fabric – I chose this lovely viscose challis, but some of the more sturdy fabrics that were recommended could make such an interesting, dramatic silhouette for fall (I’m hoping someone has a corduroy version!). Even with a draping, flowy fabric like viscose challis though, these sleeves are hard to miss. Their puffiness is due to a deep center pleat, and they are certainly the spotlight of this garment!
The dress also features a high collar with a snap closure at the back – if you like closure options, this pattern is full of them! Zipper back, buttons at the sleeve bands, and a snap closure collar! A little bit of everything! The only modification that I made to my dress was to deepen the hem twice the recommended allowance, in order to achieve a slightly shorter dress.
When I was pre-washing my fabric, I held it up to my face to show my husband how pretty it was. I mentioned the big bold blossoms, and asked “But would it be TOO obnoxiously floral as a dress?” to which he responded “It wouldn’t be out of character for you.” Certainly some questions were answered during that conversation, if perhaps not the one I actually asked. But clearly, he knows I have a thing for florals and of course I persisted.
This dress feels like the perfect transition piece from summer to fall, if the weather ever agrees to make that change here in Texas! I didn’t feel terribly warm wearing it as styled in these photos this past weekend, though it is still solidly above 90F here each evening, but I can’t wait until it is just a little chillier outside to wear this more!
Dress: handmade by me
Fabric: Minerva – Painted Bouquet Viscose Challis
Pattern: Fibre Mood – Dina Dress
Key Ingredients:
Brother XR9500PRW Sewing Machine
Brother 1034D Overlocker
Dahle 36×48 Self-healing Cutting Mat
Prym Sewing Machine Needles
Gutermann Sew All Polyester Sewing Thread
Thanks for reading my thoughts on this pattern! The fabric used for this post was provided to me by Minerva in exchange for photos of my original finished garment (seen here!) posted on their website. The Dina Dress pattern by Fibre Mood was provided to me ahead of today’s magazine release in exchange for me showing you my sewn version to help promote the magazine’s launch day. All words and opinions expressed throughout this post are my own, as always. Links provided throughout this post may be affiliate links – if you choose to purchase any products through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. This simply helps me justify the costs of my sewing habit and the time it takes to share it with you!! Happy Sewing!
- XX Elizabeth
