Originally, I planned on making a fairly normal striped dress with this fabric, but then the other night when I could not sleep, I changed my mind and made it with offset stripes. I think I like it.
The fabric is a Pendleton wool from the store Stonemountain and Daughter in Berkeley, CA. For those non-Americans among my readers, Pendleton is a really wonderful American fabric. They make mostly wools (this is a wool). A lot of their products are blanket weight, as is the one I used for this dress. It’s a family-owned company and their fabrics are still woven in Oregon, USA. If you are visiting the US and are looking for a nice souvenir, you could do worse than picking up some Pendleton wool. It is, unfortunately, expensive, so it is mostly available in better fabric shops. I bought it on PR Weekend in California. Since I was on vacation, I figured I would treat myself.
The fabric is a doubleface, and extremely thick. I did not want to deal with trying to press open seams, so I used lapped seams and left the edges raw. I stayed the top edge with fusible stay tape, then I stitched it down. I just don’t trust fusing to hold up under stress. I left the bottom edge raw rather than hemming it.
The pattern is from an older Burdastyle. If you want me to look up what pattern I used, leave a comment and I will look it up for you. However, I think this sort of pattern is fairly common.
side
back
side zipper
zipper opening
lapped seam for princess line and dart
stay tape at front
Rolling in Cloth 
32 Comments
The offset stripes are wonderful! PR weekend was what, last weekend? That didn’t marinate in stash very long!
There’s some friendly competitiveness about who can sew up the purchases fast enough.
Again, this is beautiful! I’m sure you look stunning in this. Hopefully you still have some cold weather, would be a shame not to wear it immediately 🙂
FABULOUS. so modern. More power to your needle!!!
Love it. Genius to leave the edges raw. Love the offset stripes too.
Claudine, it’s a great dress! I can’t wait to see you wear it!
I really like how you have the stripes and colours flowing. Pretty cool!
This is absolutely stunning, the offset stripes make it interesting and more flattering. I never would have considered using such heavy fabric for a dress, it was brilliant. Thanks for sharing this!
I never comment, but I just had to say “wow” about this dress. I forgot my password, reset password, etc so I can be here now, saying “wow”.
Wow! Thank you.
Stunning, Claudine. I love it.
Beautiful dress. I really love the offset stripes.
Another lovely garment – love it! Karen and I are going to come to blows of your garments.
Claudine, I think this may be my favorite piece that you have made. But I’m sure I will say that about the next one. And the next one. 🙂
Absolutely stunning!
Elizabeth
http://www.sewnblog.com
Pendleton wool is so much fun to work with. I did a robe for a man from a blanket a couple years ago http://fitforaqueen.wordpress.com/2010/06/14/making-a-man-happy and for all the steps that led up to the finished project, just click a few of the previous posts.
Your dress is so darn cuts and very inventive to offset the stripes for more interest! You can buy their fabric online or on eBay. They have a remnant shop online where they sell yarns for the edging and it came in handy when I had to repair a blanket a mouse had chewed through…but that is another blog post. You can even buy the narrow wool binding on rolls which are interesting. Thank you for sharing the close-ups!
What a fun dress!
Great, just totally fun and gorgeous and very you.
I am wondering how you’ll wear this? Over a ninja-style catsuit? I love the offsetting, good choice!
If I find a similar fabric in not-blanket, this will be on my mind.
There are not that many days here when one can wear a sleeveless wool dress, but today is one, so I’m taking advantage. There is a plan to make a coordinating cardigan so I can wear the dress in the winter.
DEFINITELY fabulous! So much more interesting that if you had simply matched the stripes all ’round. *applause*
Offsetting the stripes is genius! The dress is fantastic.
I love your design choices for the Pendleton dress, Claudine!
This is wonderful. So modern! and the finish is fabulous
– singularityware.wordpress.com
Really striking!
FANTASTIC idea
This is completely fabulous!!! I love it!
Brilliant! I have drooled over that fabric at Stonemountain and Daughter several times wondering what I could make (and use).
I haven’t seen many garments with raw edges that I really like. The technique on this one makes the whole project eye-catching, modern and interesting. Very nice, Claudine
Love. It. You make the best use of stripes.
This dress is awesome!!!
I love the offset stripes. It takes it from a plain dress to a statement piece. You are awesome!!!
Lyn
Brilliant, Claudine!
This fabulous dress stopped me in my tracks! The most unique and desirable dress I have seen on the web. Off setting the stripes was genius!
This is one of my all time favorite casual/fun dresses!
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