Bias Layered Dresses

I’m really loving my newest makes, a pair of bias cut tube dresses.  If you followed me for Me Made May you saw me wearing these on Mother’s Day.  I made this pattern using my bodice sloper from the * Craftsy Class Patternmaking: The Bodice Sloper with Suzy Furrer .  I love this class!  If you’re interested in learning pattern drafting this class is a fabulous intro.  The pattern inspiration is from * Patternmaking from Dennic Chunman Lo in the Portfolio Skills series.  The design is the Bias Tube found on p.206 and shows how to manipulate your dress/bodice sloper into this bias cut design.

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I love how the design spirals around the body.  It’s just a straight tube but hugs all the right places due to the bias.   The seams are diagonal but sewn on the straight grain to avoid wavy seams.  For my first version I made these out of a Hemp Silk mix from Organic Cottons Plus that is quite sheer.  My original plan was to dye both dresses separate colors to show the color layering but since we’re in the process of selling our home I’m avoiding using dyes (due to the mess) until after we move.  Once these were sewn up I was glad I had left them their natural color because it’s really so beautiful on its own.  Plus it just makes my skin glow!

In the above pictures I’m wearing my longer layer dress on top with the shorter version underneath.  These definitely require two layers or a slip due to the sheerness.  The diagonal seams are french while the hem is just a tiny turned under hem and the arm and neck are turned under as well.

My shorter dress was made with what little fabric I had left over which required a back seam.  This one actually turned out too short so I had to add a flounce to the hem.  I’m planning on remaking this bottom layer in the future to avoid the back seam, though I really like the effect of the lower flounce.  My next versions will use bias binding for the arm and neck for a better finish.  These were really meant as a nice wearable muslin.

I love how these layer!  This fabric was a dream to sew with too.  The care instructions are for dry-cleaning, which I just don’t ever do, so I washed it anyway before sewing it up.  It changed the look of the fabric a bit but I love the effect.

The best part.  I finally have something to wear my aquamarine jewelry with.  The chocker is from my wedding-I wore a turquoise cocktail dress for my beach wedding- and matches my engagement ring.  The longer necklace I wore when pregnant with Ami but haven’t had anything it looks good with since.

*please note this post contains affiliate links for products I purchased myself-and Love!