Tessuti Alice (again)
Do you remember the first time that I sewed the Tessuti Alice dress, in a gorgeous linen with feature yoke, in my usual Tessuti size of Medium? It was WAY too big for me. Fortunately, after letting the hem down it has been successfully re-homed in my mother’s wardrobe. Hooray for others happy to take what I’ve sewn! Anyway, I’ve made it again. This was actually sewn weeks ago, but I didn’t manage photos until yesterday.
This time I sewed the Extra Small, two sizes smaller than last time, and I’m very pleased with it. You can really see the difference at the armhole. The Medium:
And the Extra Small:
I think I’ve waxed lyrical about this fabric before. It’s rayon from the Darn Cheap Fabrics $2 table, and I used it in a dress for Clare. I also have a Sewaholic Pendrell for my cousin cut out from the same fabric. The colours are superb! And I always prefer a more abstract or graphic floral to a detailed, more realistic one. This ticks all the boxes.
I didn’t make any alterations to the pattern other than to shorten it a bit. I used a double folded one inch hem, so two inches in total. That gives the hemline just that bit more weight so that it hangs well. Something I really like about this dress is that the gathers are restricted to the centres of the front and back skirt, which means that the overall silhouette at the sides is fairly straight. Remember, I’m never really looking for waist definition.
I can tell that this dress will be worn quite a bit. It feels like a happy dress – all that colour! And rayon is always so comfortable. I’ll possibly use the pattern again for a top at some stage too – I’ve seen many lovely versions with a contrast yoke. Other than that, there’s not much more to report! It’s easy to sew, but watch the multitude of different seam allowances used at different stages throughout the pattern. I think that there are three!
I love your comment that it ‘feels like a happy dress’. I remember trying on a dress many years ago and when my husband asked why I wanted it (quite expensive) I told him “it makes me feel happy”. Love that feeling in clothing!
The fabric is gorgeous, and as usual the bright colours look great on you.
I love this dress on you Lara. Wishing I had some of that fabric in my stash!
Love Alice dress on you. Will take heed of the sizing. Have made up the Jac Valferie and the Mia tunic in medium.
Took advantage of 30% off fabric at Spotty today.
Lovely dress. The colours are very happy and it’s a much better fit.
Perfect size and perfect fabric. Love this dress on you.
So lovely and you know I adore that fabric… I’ve got a little bit left, not sure what to use if for…. It’s amazing that armhole difference…. You’re right, a colour blocked version would be great.
I’m so envious of your fabric choices – you seem to find some real beauties.
I love the new haircut.
What a difference. This dress fits; you wear it rather than the other way round, and your pert new do is super.
That looks amazing on you. I always worry that the Tessuti patterns will swamp me (as a small person!) but that design looks great in the petite size…..
I think you have nailed the sizing this time. I can see why the fabric makes you happy, it is a lovely print. I think it would make a lovely pattern for a top as well.
Found it Lara, I like it. That fabric is gorgeous. I remember the orange one from November sewjourn now!