Pattern: Kwik Sew 3758, size XS
Fabric: Kauffman radiance cotton/silk for skirt, 100% cotton jersey for the top
Shoes: Kensie Girl (Navy with white polka dots, can you tell?)
Notes: I feel like I’ve been planning this project forever. You wouldn’t believe how hard it was to find a navy/white stripe jersey with this size stripes (in my opinion, this is the most flattering width of horizontal stripe.) I finally found some on ebay, and paired it with this red cotton/silk blend from fabric.com. Let me tell you… the red fabric is not washable. It does say to dryclean it, but I washed in hopes of removing some of the sheen. It looks more like sueded silk now. It also bled, even after several washes, so I’m pretty sure this dress is destined to be dryclean only.
I actually used the wrong side of the fabric for the skirt, and the right side for the belt. I love this dress – it’s exactly as I wanted, and very flattering. I made a size XS with only two alterations – I made a 4 inch hem, thus shortening the dress by 3 inches (I had cut the longer length, but decided that the dirndl wasn’t nearly flared enough for that to look good.) I did not include the clear elastic that I was instructed to stitch into the skirt’s seam allowance after sewing the pieces together. I’m not sure the purpose of it – the skirt is already gathered, and it doesn’t work without the belt. And there are few things in this world that I hate more than sewing elastic in while stretching it… it always manages to tear loose.
The belt is a separate piece, and I have several other dresses it will work on. I only interfaced the back side, as I didn’t have any good fusible and I was worried about the pellon bubbling up later. The top of the dress is very nice – and the reason why I got the pattern, since I already have an obi belt pattern, and the skirt is basically two gathered rectangles with pockets. I love a wide scoopneck, and I was surprised by how well it fit – I had read some warnings about Kwik Sew running really big, but this fits fine. The instructions were excellent – I’m really interested in some other Kwik Sew patterns now, as they are definitely a step up from big 4 patterns, at least in terms of constriction with knits (1/4″ seam allowances, yay!)
This is my outfit today: day 9 of Self-stitched September! To show that I’m not forgetting any days, here is day 8:
Dress: Butterick 5490, blogged here
Sweater: Old Navy, thrifted
Shoes: Mia (not recommended, they are super uncomforable.)
And a vintage Sarah Coventry brooch that matches the dress. I was totally unconvinced about this dress when I finished it, but I’ve worn it quite a bit. I love the way the pleats in the front fall in graceful folds. And it matches this sweater. I’m becoming pretty convinced about me being cool toned now… I can definitely wear these sorts of icy pastels, which I would never have dared to wear before (I thought they would wash me out… but that’s only ivory/ecru/beige colors.)
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
Oh wow, I LOVE the dress! Love the nautical vibe, the red skirt, the long sleeves – plus, it looks awesome on you!
The dress rocks. It’s so gratifying when a project comes out just as you envision it, and this is such a flattering choice for you. Love it!
This dress is wonderful! So great.
Very cute! I love the color combination. You are right about stripes – why are they so dang hard to find?
Great job on day 9’s outfit – day 8 also looks great!
I have only done one Kwik Sew pattern before, but also found that the construction was great.
Great dress! Love the blue and white stripe with the red bottom… very flattering on you.
I really like your turquoise/beige/white floral dress. It’s very flattering and shows you, to my sensibility, as very approachable. Nice work!!! (You have inspired me to some degree — I have a small stash of sewing projects to start up as the days get shorter!)
– Thank you!
I love your red, blue and white dress. I can’t believe it’s a dress. It looks like the perfect matching separates. I recently bought a blue and white nautical jumper and have been keeping an eye out for the perfect skirt pattern to make a red skirt to go with it. I haven’t found it yet… You are one well-dressed Self Stitched September compatriot!
That red is amazing!!!!
Looks great!! Kwik Sew is my favorite pattern company, hands down. I find the sizing to be very consistent across patterns as it’s one designer who does all of them. I’m a S in all of their patterns, and you will probably be an XS in all of them as you are in this one.
I love your new dress — the scoopneck and nautical stripes are perfect!
A couple of posts ago, you showed a new fabric you bought for a maxi-dress, with bright tie-dye colors…it reminded me of Diane Von Furstenburg’s dress that is on p. 173 of the Sept. People Style Watch (and I think was in Lucky too). It’s black on top, a similar material to your striped top, and the bottom is that bright tie-dye color print fabric. I don’t know if this is something you like, but if you were looking for a different style dress to use this fabric in the winter, I thought the DVF dress style could work.
I’m very much enjoying your SSS posts!
LOVE that dress! I honestly didn’t think much of that pattern when I first saw it, but now I’m taking a second look! You look great!
totally fabulous! yet another pattern you’ve put on my “to buy list” great mix of knit and wovens — and I imagine, totally versatile 🙂 it’ll be my first entry into kwik sew. thanks!
This is an absolutely beautiful dress.
i adore your work!!! You are an inspiration!! I have the same serger as you do, I was wondering, what method do you use for necklines when sewing knits’? Thanks! Keep up the good work!!!!!
this dress is stunning and you look fantastic! I just happened upon your blog today and am inspired by all the great garments you’ve made. what a wonderful eye you have for patterns and fabric.