it's raining to beat the band here in it-never-rains-in-southern-california. my plans of hitting the wacky stores on ventura boulevard for a live action shot have been drenched. i thought the clouds might break, but thunderstorms are on the way. while i could throw my day two OWOP on for a little indoor shoot, my jammies are ever so much more comfortable... so i'm gonna grab an extra day on the end, do some good old fashioned sunday lounging around, and post what i should have yesterday: a proper introduction to the wonder that is pattern runway's gathered sundress.
so you know about OWOP, yes? tilly's mad scientist of a baby: for one week you use one pattern, styling it, restyling it, maybe making seven versions or making do with just one garment. i first used this baby last summer, when an interview via paunnet's loverly blog introduced me to pattern runway and caused a clicking frenzy. besides colette, this was the first indie pattern i'd ever bought (and not much since; i need to remedy that).
let me start with the actual printed pattern. FABULOUS. it's a speedily delivered PDF, but do not be afraid of the tape! it comes with a delightful grid, (pale, so as not to use up the precious printer ink) and teeny cartoon scissors leading the way to a perfect cut. impossible to tape the thing up wrong, i tell you.
the instructions are beautifully done, complete with glossary, step by step drawings, and the hand holding of an expert. it also comes with advice, including fabric suggestions... which i totally disregarded. i had this thick white jersey (think hoodie material), and i can see now that the binding i was once proud of is, in actuality, HELLA bobbly. yes, i said bobbly. i'm okay with that. the fabric was not an option, it called to me, i used it for an oona does it! challenge involving burratta cheese (jump on over here if you'd like to see the dress on, and read about cheese. oh cheesy cheese cheeeeese
cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese)
i'm sorry, i lost it for a minute there. let's talk seam allowances. they are included, say hallelujah, at 3/8 of an inch. i love this. it pains me to cut away so much of a regular seam allowance, and it's just EASIER to work with less bulk. gretchen's work husband once did a guest post about how professional sample makers will work with less allowance, and after this dress i was sold. of course there are times you'd want more, but her sizing is so spot on, you won't need it here. sizing! the pattern runs small... bust 31'-39', hips 33'-41', but the gathered skirt has a good amount of ease, and it's so worth grading if you want it.
speaking of ease, can i get a whatwhat for princess seams? IT IS. SO EASY. to get a fitted bodice with these puppies! there are 7 seams in the top altogether, plenty of room to play. and who says you have to make each bodice piece in the same fabric? or color? or print, even? or ALL OF THE ABOVE? (i don't. i'll be not saying it rather loudly later this week.)
le invisible zip is the recommended weapon, and i ignored that as well. (at least on this version.) i lika the contrast zip.
hey check it out. I'M SHOWING YOU THE INSIDES. I KNOW!!! i bet you thought there were no insides to any of my garments! you know why i can show you the guts? because this pattern is awesomesauce. if you follow the instructions, screwing up the insides is not an option. the bodice is supposed to be lined, but this thick stuff didn't need it, and i was too thrilled with the guts to hide them anyway. the allowance on the center back seam could use some trimming, but i either ran out of time or pinot grigio. who knows which at this point.
and pockets. dig the shape of these cool pockets! this is also from the inside, of course. they sit right in the side and waist seam, and it's super easy to lengthen them to accommodate my gorilla hands a nice big flask anything your heart desires.
at the moment, my heart desires OWOP's day two toast: in honor of the hanger that wore my dress for these shots, i present the cliffhanger. aptly named... one of these, and it's a slippery slope down a steep drop.
fresh watermelon, 1 cup
rum, 2 oz
lime, 1 oz
fresh grated ginger to taste
blend in a mixer until smooth.
outfit:
dress: PR's gathered sundress, per pattern instructions
scarf: vintage, etsy
pearls: vintage and tres faux , ruggy's grandmother
hanger: wooden
keep on hanger until the sun comes out, add harness boots and corduroy jacket.
Love this design. How have I not heard of this? Thanks, Oona!
ReplyDeleteLove it. It would love to see it on too. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOOh, the insides look sooo purdy! Can't wait to see it on you!
ReplyDeletemayhaps today...
Deleteok. I need to check out their printable pdf patterns!!! Love this dress!!
ReplyDeleteyou would LOVE it.
DeleteGorgeous dress! Why don't I wear more light colours?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of indie designer, you really should consider something from Victory patterns. I'm sure you'd make wonders out of those lovely patterns.
all thanks to you, lovely paunnet!
Deletei've been eyeing victory for months, i don't know why i haven't done it yet! i want to try her 3fer deal, but can't decide on the third...
OH I have been ogling this pattern for some time now. Oona, you just sold this baby to me! Love the styling too, by the way!
ReplyDeleteyou must grab it! and i think the sun is warm enough today to wear it. restyled, mais oui.
Deletethat's one cute dress.. and i totally expect to see it later this week, all painted in colors (you are showing us before photo, 'canvas' pic, am i right?)
ReplyDeletethat's TOTALLY how i should have introduced it. DAMMIT. did i bungle this one or what?! start with the canvas and then show the detours! ah well.
DeleteBravo, bravo! The princess seams and white color will surely make this a chic chic staple piece in your wardrobe. Glad you got to do some lounging around yesterday :)
ReplyDeletethis is the chic-est piece in my closet, for sure. i always feel very new-york-day-of-boutique-shopping in it :)
DeleteThat's a lovely looking dress. Bet that colour works so well with your skin tone. Sorry it's raining in California. Look on the bright side - you're in California.
ReplyDeleteand the rain was actually nice, it gave me the excuse to loaf! and i didn't even need to run a half marathon :)
DeleteI love this version!!!!!!!!! This white fabric is beautiful. I don´t have any white dress, I think that it´s because my chalky skin!
ReplyDeleteit's all about finding the right shade of white. actually, ivory is better on me, but at a dollar a yard i wasn't going to split hairs :)
DeleteLove the pockets and how they flow on from the princess seams. Actually, I love everything about this dress. Gorgeous! (and thanks for showing us the insides - I always like looking at insides!)
ReplyDeletei always mean to show the insides, and then some seam gets a little ugly, and i'm all WELL THAT'S OFF. i'll try to show more guts!
DeleteWowza, Oona insides! You could knock me over with a feather! ;) Can't wait to see it on you. Ah, rain.
ReplyDeleteWe are supposed to be getting up to eight inches of snow here today. Although there's a chance it will be mixed with rain. /sigh. I really, really was hoping not to have to go out in snow again... though I suppose generally I'd rather go out in snow than rain. Except maybe driving. /end obligatory Canadian weather rant. ;)
i just got a flash of your neck of the woods in snow. ruggy kept telling me i would get sick of the snow, and he's probably right... but if we lived there you and i could just hunker down in fabricland!
DeleteOh! don't they look better when there's a lovely lady modeling the garment. please take some picks with you wearing the dress. love your style! wish i was as creative as you are . in the mean time keep'em coming.
ReplyDeletealways love to read your post. I'd love more tutorials on how you make your great dresses, you now the ones you do not use a pattern/you make one yourself.
Simona
Gyaaaaaaahhh.... an Oona classic! Nice to see her again! You know, I bought this pattern the day you posted about Miss Burrata, but I haven't found the time to make it! You've inspired me-- I MUST have one... and soon.
ReplyDeleteI am already loving this pattern so much - your creations are selling it hardcore. This dress with the scarf and necklace? Why, it practically demands a ride in a hot red convertible with large sunglasses... or at least that's how I envision you wearing it in Cali.
ReplyDeleteI picked up the patternrunway one shouldered dress (in Jan, I really should get onto that)and requested a copy-shop pdf (I don't tape. Or glue. Because that way lies madness and a 'lying on the floor sobbing with torn up bits of paper everywhere' episode). Sarah awesomely responded by sending me the A0 version which I got (large format) printed (Onto one sheet! And it only cost $6?) the very same day (and then forgot about). So thanks for the reminder. I'll start on it now.
ReplyDeletePS- when're you going to install disqus and rescue us from the twin words of unreadability and eventual blindness that is recaptcha?
ooh. only 6 bucks? so tempting...
DeleteWait.. it works!.. But not on Chrome/ Safari (or at least only intermittently on the former..). XP
ReplyDeleteDAMMIT. i thought i turned that friggin captcha off! i hate it, i have to squint at it and the letters always change... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
DeleteWelcome to SoCal! I am sorry it rained. Probably because it realized that Oona is not permanent, and so it got sad.
ReplyDeleteThat indeed looks like a versatile piece, and I think I'm going to start claiming that my garments don't have insides either, just so I don't have to show my thread messes.
if i tell it i will stay, do you think it will stay sunny and 79 for the next several months?
Deletemore importantly, will it be nice and sunny when i make you go to levine's with me? (wanna?)
Oh. My. Goodness. WOULD I. Do you even need to ask??? Email me! Let's talk fabric shopping!
DeleteHey, I just came across this pattern on etsy and turned to google for some reviews - thanks a million for yours it's really swayed me, once I've found the perfect fabric I'll be buying a copy :)
ReplyDelete