So I had birthday earlier this week. I’m not a huge fan of birthdays but I was very spoilt this year by my family, friends and workmates which was rather fun I confess.
I had planned to make a birthday dress but my sewing time in 2014 has been much less than previous years for a whole bunch of reasons. So that didn’t happen this year… alas maybe next.
However I did wear a made-by-me dress to all my birthday dinner events (there was somehow three!) so I figure that kinda counts as a birthday dress. It took me all of about 90 minutes from cutting to hemming.
No 2. from Drape Drape 2. Side view – with the drapes.
No 2. from Drape Drape 2. Without the drapes in view, it is a very simple singlet dress. Necklace is a resin by a company called Polka Luca. I fused the hem up as I didn’t want to interrupt the fabric design with a stitch line.
No 2. from Drape Drape 2. Chevron side – sorry my arm is in the way and then the camera battery went flat and then I went out to dinner!
If you were at Frocktails recently you would have seen this – probably the most simply dressed person there, wearing what is basically a draped singlet. I struggled with fancy and fuss so I guess this little make personifies my style, something simple with a little bit of a twist.
This is actually my third version of this dress. I made one earlier this year that went unblogged, there didn’t seem much to say. This red/white/blue version is one of my favourite makes. I love the strong contrasts, if I’m wearing it out I wear it with my blue heels and a chunky white silicone Jellystones necklace. When I’m just banging about the house on a weekend, I wear it without jewellery and my flip-flops (aka ‘thongs’ if you are an Aussie). The fabric came from the bargain table at Spotlight and the fabric cost me about $6 all up.
No 2. from Drape Drape 2. front view. Excuse the face – it was a late, hot, windy summer evening last February. I wore this to work on casual Friday once and was stopped by an elderly gentlemen in the foyer who wanted to tell me I looked ‘spectacular’.
No 2. from Drape Drape 2. Side front view – chevron side. I’ve sorted out that seam puckering… and congratulations if you have spotted that my shoes are exactly the same as above just in a different colour!
No 2. from Drape Drape 2. Back view – with the drapes…. and now I’m wondering why I cut all my hair off… oh well it grows.
It’s interesting making the same pattern several times. It goes without saying that the drapier your knit for this design, the better. This final version is perhaps the best in terms of fabric. It’s a DKNY lyocell – which is essentially a rayon knit. It’s extremely lightweight and divine to wear.
This is one of my ‘tried and true’ patterns – in fact I’ve worn all three this weekend. Considering I wasn’t sure about this look on me at all when I made my first one, it’s proven to be a summer wardrobe staple.
Pattern: No 2 from Drape Drape 2, also blogged here.
Fabric: DKNY lyocell knit from The Fabric Store, Sydney. It was $25 a metre, I used 1.1m for this make, you do need fabric that is 150cm wide for this design.
All fabric, patterns, jewellery and shoes purchased by me.
And yes, I got lots of sewing related presents… here are the most ‘sew busy Lizzy’ presents.
Japanese sewing books, ‘cotton reel’ earrings, t-shirt (enough said) and a very cute silver spoon!
An artwork for my sewing room – a gift form my parents-in-law. That’s Japanese vintage fabric integrated into the work. A hasty iPhone photo while on the way to the dinner!
What birthday is complete without…
Bollinger….
Sew Busy Lizzy 
I love this style on you! It’s so cool! I’m tempted to try it myself…
You would LOVE this and I think it would suit your build. It’s not fitted, overly feminine, just easy to wear… it dresses ‘up’ or ‘down’ and while it’s not plaid… it’s stripes…go for it!
Happy birthday! Love the dresses, they are beautiful and really suit you. Simple but elegant is becoming a favourite sewing thought of mine!
Sometimes I love a good complicated sew… but I just love to wear these… so very easy to dress up or down. Great lifestyle make for me. thank you 🙂
Yes, actually me too. The bit I love it when you do lots of weird stuff and suddenly its’s “oh so that’s how you do that!”
Thats what I call the ‘Aha!’ Moment – which is easily confused with the ‘Doh!’ Moment! Lol
Lizzy, it’s time to step away from Drape Drape! How do you find all this wild fabric? And happy birthday dear. I’m glad you had a good one 🙂
Ah I’ve tried… but it’s just ‘so me’! Fret not… I’ve been making shirtdresses like a woman possessed! LOL
Happy birthday, and yay for November birthdays :). I love both these dresses on you, I can completely understand why you’d need several… They must be perfect in hot weather!
Thanks Gabrielle, they are indeed perfect on a hot, hot day – and when eating a big dinner!
You DO look spectacular! Lizzy, this dress is quintessentially you… Well at least the you I’ve come to “know”. A bit drapey, a bit slinky, a gorgeous print and a perfect beachside look. I already said happy birthday via IG, but here’s wishing you one again.
Thanks Jillian 🙂 it’s nice to find a ‘make’ that I never tire of – that’s it’s perfect for my lifestyle & it’s a simple make is an absolute bonus!
Happy birthday and this style is just so fantastic on you! Love them all.
Thank you!
Happy birthday! Your sewing related gifts are excellent. Beautiful drape dresses again, I particularly like the rainbow colours on you.
The rainbow is probably my favourite. It’s bright & striking without ‘wearing me’ – thank you.
I love this style on you! As soon as I saw it in drape drape I thought of you. It looks great on you!
Happy Birthday 😉 And you know I love these on you – gorgeous xx
Mwah! Thank you
I like them both but the second one in the blue and red is exceptionally striking. Great style!
I always think I need to find a red-white-blue sporting team to support when I wear it! I love it too, it’s very graphic.
Happy birthday Lizzy! I love these draped dresses on you. Not many people seem to be making them, but they suit your style so well. Enjoy! 🙂
Lol – so true. I’m out here on my own with all my draped dresses but I’d rather be me than trying to be someone else’s version of me 🙂
You look fantastic!! Love both dresses, especially in a print. Awesome!
I love the DKNY fabric with while I had thought I’m make a maxi with it, I think it is better in a shorter dress on me. I think a longer length would have overwhelmed me!
The elderly gentleman was right – you do look spectacular! I’m on my way to find the Drape Drape book… thank you for sharing both dresses. Now I’m obsessed with the dress — have to make it. I’ll probably wear it as a tunic.
This tunic/dress is from Drape Drape 2, I’ve made quite a few pieces from the book. It is ‘Japanese’ sized, that said the pattwrn piece is a simple concept & I think you could apply it to any tank dress with some thought & experimentation – enjoy!
It’s all been said, but I agree this dress is one of your best looks! Suits you to a T and you definitely have the legs for it! Looks perfect for our hot Aussie summers. 🙂
Thanks Janet, it was hot this weekend & I wore all three!
Happy birthday. You look amazing. These dresses are so you. Elegant and wonderful.
Thanks Maria – look forward to seeing you soon in 2015… it’s not far away now!
I’ll drink to that “chink”
You are definitely on a winner with this pattern. You wear them all beautifully.
Thank you 🙂 it is funny, spend all this time improving my sewing skills and an oddly shaped, easy-to-sew overgrown singlet turns out to be one of my favourite looks!! Lol
Fabulous. Just fabulous.
Oh, and happy birthday!
Thank you!
I love that rainbow fabric. It (incidentally) reminds me of the rainbow striped poly in Spotlight when I visited you.
Happy birthday!
I love that rainbow fabric, which (incidentally) reminds me of the rainbow poly that I coveted in Spotlight when I visited you.
But both versions are amazing.
Thanks Sonia, I’ve been meaning to email you… all year! I have no idea where 2014 went, I hope you 2014 has been a great one & you are enjoying your travels & work!
Happy birthday. All the dresses look knockout on you.
Thank you! For such a simple make, it’s been endlessly versatile for me, so glad I got those Drape Drape books!
I think this shape looks great on you and I actually don’t think it’s overall casual at all. I think it suits the relaxed Aussie “I live by the beach with a big dog & a a very small dog” lifestyle you have going on.
Lol – yes thats very much my lifestyle!
This dress is a winner on you . It requires a great figure as a frame for it which you have, it looks fantastic and the bright coloring is the perfect accent.
Liz, this is such a perfect match between you and your kinda fabric/frock! This is one of my fave makes of yours (both are so counting it as one!)
Awww thanks Amanda – it is so nice to have been sewing for just a few years and find something that sings to me.
Happy belated birthday! This dress does look incredibly unfussy, but it still manages to look really chic. It suits you beautifully.
It’s also incredibly unfussy to make 🙂 thank you.
Happy birthday!
Beautiful!!! They really suit you and I love the fabrics, I’d never have thought about using stripes for draped garments but it works really well, my favourite is the tie-dye look version.
Lucky lady with all of the Japanese pattern books for your Birthday, can’t wait to see what you make from them!
Belated Happy Birthday wishes!! Looks like you had a lovely day and that dress is super fun. Brings a smile to my face looking at it
Thanks Amy xo I had lots of laughs.
Happy Belated Birthday!! You look awesome in your dress! Very cool.
Thanks Margo!
Happy very Belated Birthday, my lovely! You look fabulous in your dress and I’m glad you were made a fuss of!
Thank you! I hope you had a lovely birthday too xo
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LOVE this dress! It’s so flattering on you and that fabric is to die for!
The fabric is amazing. I got it about 6 months ago & did wonder if it would overwhelm me – however in a small dose it’s perfect.
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