I needed a project for my week of annual leave and had been eyeing up the Nikki Viscose on Sew Sew Sew’s website for some time. I loved the deep blue colour and contrasting floral pattern. The fabric was a good price and deliveries are always very quick so I ordered. When the fabric arrived it was so soft and had a lovely drape.
When a new pattern is issued I often think it is not for me and it takes a while to grow on me. So it was with the Sew Over It Florence Dress but when the pattern and fabric came together I knew it would be a match made in heaven. I used 3m of fabric and there were only a few trimmings left over.
As I am a pear shaped I often cut the bodice in a smaller size to the skirt and I did the same with this pattern. That was a mistake as the skirt is not actually gathered, it is the elastic insert that creates the gathering so I had to do a bit of adjusting to sort that out. I left the elastic fairly loose as I felt that was more flattering for my body shape. Otherwise the only adjustments I made were to lift the shoulders slightly, trim the arm scye at the front and take in the cuff which are constants for me. The process was fairly straightforward and SOI’s instructions are clear.
I used to avoid sewing with viscose as I found it too floppy and uncontrollable but now I always use a walking foot and find that works really well and has made me enjoy sewing with viscose. Other suitable fabrics would be chambray, viscose linen and cotton lawn.
Overall it was an enjoyable make and a good transition piece for Spring or Autumn. I would definitely make another Florence.
Rosemary
Rosemary purchased this fabric from me and then very kindly wrote this guest blog post. To say thankyou I sent her a gift voucher to cover the cost of the fabric and postage
