Confession: This dress is not totally new. It was made in July (of 2016), but I've already worn it several times.
What is new about it is that it's made in a new fiber for me, rayon.
I've dyed all manner of cotton, but lately I've been experimenting with patterning and dyeing rayon with an eye toward using it for garments.
The LOVE frock is my first attempt and, yay, first success.
The dress pattern is for Lotta Jansdotter's book, Everyday Style. I've waxed semi-poetic here about how much I love this book. This particular pattern is the Esme, just like my previously featured ombre dyed top. I modified the tunic length a bit to add belt loops and a belt, included patch pockets, and adjusted the seam allowances to get a closer fit.
I tested my adjustments on another hand dyed version first, this time in a much-loved cotton lawn.
The colors are a little off here because the dress is patterned in shades of orange and raspberry, not brown.
Considering the temperatures lately, both these dresses are ideal for the hot weather, but the rayon version feels particularly wonderful. It drapes so beautifully and feels so light, I can almost forget that the humidity is making it stick to my skin.
I'm so excited about the possibilities of patterning and sewing with this rayon that I already have a second length of fabric, patterned in a new pattern waiting to be cut and sewn.
Also, I'm going to start offering this rayon in limited patterns in my store starting in September, but more about that in another post.
For now, I'll just repeat how much LOVE I'm feeling for this fabric and the finished dress.