I made a dress! A totally simple, 6-seam dress that took 45 minutes to slap together at the end of a rough day. Because sewing=happiness, ammiright?
So, let me tell you about my totally basic dress, and see if I can make it interesting in any way! This is my second version of the Groove dress, which has options for girls and women with lots of neckline, sleeve and hem options. Despite that, I made up my own version – I made the long sleeve into a cap sleeve, cut my own scoop neck, and gave it a slight high-low hem.
The fabric is a strange ITY that has a textured scroll design mixed with a floral print. It’s super slithery, and I like it but don’t love it… and that’s why it’s so perfect for a project like this!
Sometimes, you just need to sew. And when the goal is sewing, I like to use a fabric I don’t care about. It’s also my favourite time to make alterations on the fly, because who cares if it doesn’t work out?
And in this case… it kinda worked? I actually planned to make a nice demure dress that i could wear at my Granny’s retirement home this weekend… but along the way, this got pretty short! Too short for work, unless I wear leggings. It does feel summery and fun though, so I’ll enjoy wearing it anyway!
Now, I first got into this tent-shape of dress last summer, and did a series of posts on various patterns… so I was really surprised to put on my first Groove dress this year and realise that it’s not nearly as swingy as I thought! Last year it seemed daring, but after a winter of sewing Ebony dresses, it feels quite tame!
See? On the left, my Groove dress… centre, a Santa Fe tank lengthened into a dress, and on the right, an Ebony dress. Can you see how much more volume it has? The Groove dress is distinctive because it goes down straight from the armscye, then flare out at the high waist. (I think the new Pony tank has a similar cut, and so does the Jorna dress I sewed last summer.) Santa Fe and Ebony flare right out from the underarm.
So, have you made anything low-stakes and fun lately? I’ll be wearing my new dress on the long solo drive to Ottawa this weekend – then maybe I’ll put on my #sewlikeyourgrandma dress once I arrive!
Crafting A Rainbow 
I like it! I’ve decided that I just don’t have time to be so picky about “saving” my fabrics and to just USE them. Even if a particular project doesn’t work out, the fabric has still been used to give me (mostly) enjoyment through the process. I just now consider it an extra bonus if the finished project is a winner.
I don’t think you need to worry if that dress is granny-safe. You’re completely and respectably covered. Nothing more than a bit of knee is showing, and I bet your granny would enjoy seeing such a happy dress.
How far is Ottawa from where you live?
LikeLike
You’d think it’s granny-safe… but not if I lift my arms or bend over, it’s not. I guess the truth is I don’t do vigorous exercise in front of my granny tho, so maybe it’s fine?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bike shorts underneath, just for granny (and the grandpas!!) ??
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bike shorts, for sure! As an added bonus, they prevent thigh chafing, assuming that’s a problem you have (I do!). 🙂
LikeLike
I ALWAYS wear bikeshorts… but they are all ugly colours (forest green, purple, etc) so I don’t like them to show! 😛
LikeLike
Sounds like you need a sewing dare! 😃
LikeLike
I have a Jalie pattern (2563, but I also have 2796) for them, so I need to try my hand at making my own, but the ones available in RTW *are* pretty hideous.
LikeLike
It’s funny how a make starts out and then finishes….I have had pleasant surprises when throwing caution to the wind. I’ve also had big disappointments when I have gone and done serious planning. Always learning. I love the print on this one! And the shorter length looks great for summer!
LikeLike
Amen to that! I get nervous when I overthink a project, and then I’m more likely not to like it!
LikeLike
I think it is very young looking and sweet on you. It doesn’t seem that short.. I say wear it where you like.
LikeLike
I guess it comes from being a teacher that I”m super nervous about short things… I mean, with yard duty outside, teaching gym, and having little kids sit at your feet while you are on a chair, you gotta be careful! 😛
LikeLike
I think it is safe to say that you wear red well! This shape of dress looks great on you. Have a safe drive!
LikeLike
Thanks!!! One day I’d love to meet with you and the Montreal sewists – it’s been a few years since I was last there!
LikeLike
I agree with everyone’s comments – honestly Gillian it doesn’t look that short to me but if you’re worried about the whole bending over showing off undies thing then wear what looks deliberate like shorts (or bloomers :)) ) Maybe that’s what you should make next… a pair of shorts that look sort of like bloomers – lacey and fun to wear under your shorter length swing summer dresses rather like leggings for summer. I do wear a lot of capris and longer length shorts in the summer under my shorter tunics. I love your swing dresses – seeing your Ebony reminded me I must make one of those – I have the pattern…
LikeLike
THat’s a good idea! I always wear bike short, but bloomers would be cute. I think it’s because i’m so short – what would be plenty of length on a taller person is on 6″ between the hem and my lady bits! I have a long body and short legs, so there isn’t much room to manouver when things hit above the knee! 😛
LikeLike
I would SO love to make a 45 minute dress (which for me would take 5 hours, but still!). I’m feeling unmoored without my sewing, and like I’m deskilling. I guess, on the flip side, my design skills are being tested architecturally and my knitting experience is growing. But I miss sewing.
LikeLike
Ahahahaha – one day I’m going to show up on your doorstep with a serger and precut fabric, and force you to sew it together fast!
LikeLike
I think it’s super cute! I love that print (ITY has the best prints, but WHY does it have to be made of polyester?!?! WHY???????!!). And with a set of bloomers or a pair of bicycle shorts (they could even be matching if you have some big enough remnants of this fabric) I think it’s perfectly acceptable to wear to see Grandma. 🙂
LikeLike
ITY does have the best prints – and I always wish it was rayon instead! I don’t mind wearing ITY in any season though, so I roll with it!
LikeLike
Same. Except wearing it in any season, that part I can’t get behind, LOL! You must live in a drier climate as well as a cooler one. 😉
LikeLike
Wow, I love this dress. It is just so cute and flippy. I do like the fabric as well. This looks like a really nice pattern for the summer. Have you got shorts that are just a smidge shorter than your dress? They would be granny-friendly. It looks so nice for being made in 45 minutes. I wish I had some patterns like that in my stash. Xx
LikeLike
I always wear bike shorts – just need to make some nicer colours so I don’t mind if they show! 😉
LikeLike
love the bold print and the shape on you.
LikeLike
Thanks Emma! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person