Refashioning Couture

Today, I’m starting a new series featuring sewing pattern hacks to create couture inspired clothing. Over the next few weeks, I plan to develop my hand made wardrobe, featuring pieces which I have either designed from scratch, or have adapted using independent sewing patterns as a base.

First up is a lemon print dress, inspired by the 2016 Dolce and Gabbana Spring Summer collection.

Background and Inspiration

I’m trying out something a little different with my new sewing project. As a fan of the recent Dolce and Gabbana couture collections, I have been inspired by their bold use of prints and colours. However the price margins are a little steep, and when I was able to buy a pair of trousers from the Harrods sale eons ago, sadly I found the quality wanting.

Some of you may recall my attempt to make a version of the daisy dress below. I still have not been able to source suitable daisy appliqués to start the project.

While searching in vain for the appliqués, I came across the lemon dresses from the same design house.

 

Oh my, how I adore these summery dresses.

So how do I go about making an D&G inspired dress without forking out a fortune? The answer unexpectedly came via By Hand London (BHL).

I recently wrote about rediscovering my sewing mojo, and how the Charlie Dress pattern by BHL, had helped me to get back into my seamstress groove. I’m so pleased with how the dress, which I called the Poppy Dress, turned out. It was a joy to make and so much fun to wear.

Whilst studying the other BHL patterns, I came across the Charlotte Skirt, a simple pencil skirt which can be modified with a peplum or ruffle hem. Now I’m not a frilly girl by nature, but that ruffle hem caught my eye.

Then I had an idea …

Why not create a D&G dress, by combining the bodice of the Charlie dress with the Charlotte skirt?

 

 

Next time

I will show my design sketch of the dress I hope to make and my fabric choices, as I embark on one of my most adventurous sewing projects yet.

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Thanks for reading,