Oh wow, what a year – I’ve been slack in posting some recent makes!
First off the list is the Crossneck Tiki Dress – my latest pattern professionally graded up to a size 46!
The original pattern itself comes from the late 50s to early 60s, produced by Clothilde and likely available as a mail order pattern through your local paper or their sewing cataloge.
But let’s talk sewing the dress! This pattern is a dream to sew – super easy to put together and really flattering for those with larger busts.
For modifications, I did a large bust adjustment where you pivot excess from under the arm, across to the darts – instructions are included when you purchase the pattern. The only other modification I used was to size up at the waist for it to fit me.
I also used spiral steel boning at the side seam for support, and fully lined the bodice instead of facings.
The lovely blue hawaiian fabric I used is actually from Spoonflower!
It’s from my favourite designer, Muhlenkott, and it’s called Hui-Makai Tapa. He bases a lot of his designs on actual vintage hawaiian and tapa fabrics – this one perfectly matches a Ui-Makai shirt my partner Jakk owns.
I used their Organic Cotton Sateen as it’s smooth but has a bit of structure.
This dress is so wearable – it even works well just as a top to wear with pants and skirts!
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