Wow! I can’t believe I finally made a Belladone dress. This pattern caught my eye ages ago, and then my Mom bought the pattern for me at Christmas (thanks Mom!). Since I imagined it as a summer dress I waited. And checked out lots of Belladone inspiration. You can find my favorites on my Belladone pinterest board.
The fabric is from IKEA. I totally loved the botanical print and it’s a nice medium weight cotton. And less than $5 a yard which is perfect for a wearable muslin.
The sewing wasn’t too hard and the instructions were more than sufficient though definitely not hand-holding! I’m glad I waited until I had some experience with dresses to try this. And lots of bias tape practice. This is my first time doing an exposed zip. I hand-picked it which is definitely my preferred way to do a zip. So precise. I like the way it turned out and will probably do this again soon. This was also my first time using a hem facing and it made hemming the dress very easy. I am not usually very excited about hemming (last step, why can’t I wear it yet, who knew the hem was so long…) but this was pretty fast and looks very nice.
I graded between sizes using a 36 at the shoulders, 38 at the bust and 40 at the waist and hip. I was hoping to avoid any gaping around the back detail and was mostly successful. It looks ok in the pictures and is comfortable to wear, but I will fold maybe 1/4″ out of each of the top back pieces and take a tiny amount out of the front neckline.
I’m looking forward to making another Belladone. I always feel like I perfect the fit on the third version. Only I’m not sure how many of these dresses I need at one time so it may be a little while before I do another. Perhaps when the perfect fabric finds me…
Linking up to Gray All Day’s Sew it Chic in a Week – check it out!
Details: Deer & Doe Belladone dress, graded from sz 36 at shoulder to 38 at bust to 40 at waist, exposed zip
Wearable muslin? I think it is perfect! I want to run to IKEA and buy that fabric, too.
So nice when a wearable muslin turns out as good as a carefully planned project! I bet they still have some…
I knew that this fabric looked familiar to me! I love it especially as a dress! 🙂 And your exposed zipper, what a beautiful detail 🙂 Well done 🙂
Haha! I have curtains that match… Thanks – the exposed zipper was a fun touch to add too.
I love this dress- the exposed zip is particularly awesome! I bought this fabric from Ikea a couple months ago, too!
What are you planning to do with the fabric? I recommend a dress. 😉
The fabric works so well! I’m adding that to my IKEA list 🙂
Thanks Kelly! Here’s hoping they still have plenty!
Oooh, I love this fabric, and I never would’ve imagined it as a dress!! It’s fantastic! The exposed zipper is just great and you really look like a million bucks in this style. That is one NICE wearable muslin!
Exposed zips on everything! I love when a muslin turns out well. This made me feel so brave I’m tackling another new dress pattern…
Wow, that belladone looks great!! That dress hasn’t really been on my radar until now. And I’ve seen that fabric at my local Ikea but had overlooked it – I think I’ll give it a try in a new pattern one day soon!
I’d love to see what you do with the fabric! Thanks!