Ta-da! It’s my latest tent dress! This one is the Groove Dress, which has both a child and a adult version. It comes with a bunch of variations, like short and long sleeves, a cowl and hood, and a high-low hem or straight hem. There is some interesting shaping: the side seams don’t flare out until under the bust, and there are optional fisheye darts in the back. If you are looking to dip your toe into the world of tent dresses, this is a nice place to start!
I feel like the real story is this amazing ITY knit – amazing, as in probably not many other people would buy it, but I love it! Teal, black, royal blue, orangey coral… it’s right up my alley. It’s a border print, with the baroque scrolls running up both selvedges. Thanks to everyone on Instagram who helped me decide on placement!
In all this pictures I’ve seen of this dress online, it looks really swingy… but comparing it to other patterns, it’s actually about the same shape as a Santa Fe top. I shortened it at the hem (as the pattern suggested) but the end result was it’s not nearly as tent-like as I imagined! That’s also partly because I sized down one size, thinking that would give me a slightly fitted bodice to balance the very swingy hem… which I actually created was an almost too-snug bodice. In a drapier or stretchier knit, it would have been the right choice. Oh well! The upside is that this is now a very wearable dress, instead of the bonkers over-the-top tent I planned.
A couple little details that I enjoy – look how perfectly the print matches across that centre seam! I admit, it’s partly accidental. I hand-basted it to make sure the twigs would meet, but I didn’t realise until I sewed it that the design actually flows across. I did a nice deep hem to give it weight, and added some ruching on the sleeves when they turned out a little longer than I wanted. Oh, and I cut more of a scoop neckline on the fly because the high neck is seriously close fitting!
For a bit of Better Pictures Project fun, I tried to get some lens flare…
…which ended up as a bunch of super dark pictures, and some pictures of me with a halo, but no actual lens flare! Anyone know the secret?
All in all, I’m happy! It’s not quite what I pictured, but maybe that’s a good thing. A really crazy dress would only get worn in summer, but this I’ll actually wear to work!
Next up in my tent dress trials: I’ve got plans to make a Papercut Sway in navy crepe. The tasteful ying to this dress’s yang!
Crafting A Rainbow 
I love this! It’s like the knit sister to the woven pattern I was wishing for on the CSC Facebook page this week. There is something about this swing dress style that really suits you. Keep it up!
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Thanks Ashlee! Would you give this pattern a go, even though it’s not a woven? It like the shaping and the option for sleeves… I almost made it sleeveless, but since it’s the only tent dress pattern I have with the choice of sleeves, I figured i’d better put them on! 😉
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This dress is amazing! That print is to die for – great job on the placement! Thank you so much for having this series of “tent dress trials.” It’s really making me want to take the plunge and try it out. 🙂
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You know, I’m finding it a surprisingly wearable silhouette! I think it helps to go with something like this or Jorna that has some shaping at the bust, and then tent below.
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The colour and pattern looks amazing on you. I like the fit of this swing dress.
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Thank you! I’m really pleased with how it turned out. Sometimes I feel a bit meh about new makes until I’ve worn them a few times, but this is a winner straight away!
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Gold medal pattern placement Gillian!
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Thank you!!! I’m really pleased it occurred to be to use the border up the centre front… I like the vertical emphasis! It wouldn’t have played well on the curved hem any way.
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Yep, this confirms that I still really really really want this pattern!
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It’s a great pattern! I’m already picturing a more structural winter version in a double knit, worn with boots and a great scarf!
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Cute ! I love this and the tent dress trend. The pattern placement is divine ! It’s definitely not something you’d find in RTW, and looks great!
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I feel like “not something you’d find in RTW” is becoming my thing. I like RTW-ish styles and playing with trends a bit, but in a bonkers print!
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Print placement perfection! You look awesome in this silhouette.
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Thank you! I’m still in the process of training my eye to think a shapeless tent is flattering… but with a fitted bust and a bit ‘o’ leg, I’m a fan!
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I really love this!
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Love it, Gillian! Like you, I wasn’t initially sure about the tent dress style, but my Trapeze dress in woven is coming on great, I think I’m going to love it, and I only realised that it could look good on me from your comments on an earlier Tent Dress Trials post about needing to be fitted on the shoulders and bust then not too long. So thank you! I may need to try a knit one too… 🙂
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Great dress, Gillian. Love this style on you.
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I’m obsessed!!! This looks so great on you!!!!
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And I know I am 100% obsessed because I am trying to justify copying this entire look hahaha. Ok, ok, I won’t copy, but I may buy the pattern 😉
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Awesome dress!!
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I just love it when you can place the print just so perfectly on a fabric – just lovely!
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I loves it! I love the fabric and the dress, match made in sewing heaven! don’t you love it when that happens?
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I am 100% in love with this!!
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I’m so glad that you went with the center placement! It really makes the dress.
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As a curvy girl I thought swing/tent dress is something I thought I would have to like from afar. I am always afraid of the maternity look. However, this pattern looks AMAZING on you! I am now off to investigate it! This seems like such a perfect, easy office dress.
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This looks fantastic and that print matching is amazing! I want to make this pattern now too!
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The placement of the border print is absolutely fabulous! I think ITY is perfect for this swingy style too. It’s so swingy itself. Between the swoosh factor and the cool print placement, this has gotta be about the most fun dress to wear.
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I”m looking forward to wearing it when it’s not ridiculously hot and too humid for an ITY dress! 😛
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Wow, that is one amazing dress! I’ve avoided tent dresses up to now too, but in the last couple of days I’ve made 2 as pinafores for winter (or sleeveless in summer) and I’ve not stopped wearing them since they came off my sewing machine. I love the bodice shaping and little sleeves on this one and I’m deffo going to get that pattern. Thanks for sharing!
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This dress is completely amazing and makes me want to try making a tent dress too! You inspire me with your amazing skills!
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I really really like this, like A LOT! I’m debating which tent dress pattern to make. I’m thinking of getting this pattern because of all the variations, but there are a few other tempting ones out there too. Yours is super cute though- might have to go this route!
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This is a good one! It’s got just enough shaping att he side seams/bust that it’s not a total tent, and it’s nice to have the sleeve options. It’s my fav so far!
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Very nice, I love the print placement! I wouldn’t have thought that such a wild print could actually look that nice!
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