What sewing projects are out of your comfort zone? This month at the Sewcialists, we are challenging our community to be brave with fabric, patterns, colour, or techniques, and to share their projects using the hashtag #SewBraveSewcialists! As Sewcialists Editor-In-Chief, of course I had to take part! But what to sew?
Something SEXY! I don’t exactly know when “sexy” left my wardrobe… probably around the same time I traded clubbing for quiet nights in with my honey! I feel good, I like my body, I feel strong and put-together every day in my me-mades, but “sexy” started to feel performative and attention seeking. But at 36, I’d like to change that. Being sexy is an attitude, and looking sexy is something we can all do, regardless of size, age, gender or looks! My sewing goal for the past two years has been “be more of a badass”, and Badass Gillian wants a few hot looks on hand for the right occasion!
I chose a Burda Plus sheath from issue 12/2015, because the model is smoking hot in the photo. The dress actually has really interesting darts and seam lines that you can’t see in her black version or my floral, so it’s worth checking out the line drawing! There are two darts in front and 4 in back, all from neckline to hip. There is also a little triangular inset piece over the upper bust for added shaping. And, as you can see in the picture below if you squint hard enough, my first ever kick pleat!
To me, being sexy is all about being comfortable – no shapewear, no “sucking in”, just something you can wear and forget about while being fabulous! (That goes for these photos, too – and while they have been adjusted like crazy to hide the fact that is was cold, dark and windy, the dress and I are 100% authentic!) The outer fabric is Liverpool knit, which is a polyester crepe double knit. It’s great for fitted garments because it is stretch but has some structure! I lined the whole thing with power mesh (you know, like the stuff the back of a bra band is made of) so that it breathes and hangs smoothly over bumps and lumps. It’s not tight or constrictive at all. I even sewed a line of elastic to the powermesh under the bust so I have the option of going braless! Ahhh, comfort!
(That said, I’m wearing a tester of an upcoming bra pattern from Emerald Erin in a 38G, and she just happened to sew it for me in the most beautiful pale aqua lace that matches this dress perfectly!)
Let’s talk details, or at least what I can remember:
- I am 5’2″, 210 pounds, and I measure 45/39/50″.
- I cut out a size 50, I think, but forgot to add any seam allowances and just sewed it with a narrow seam. Thanks to the magic of knits, I worked out fine!
- I removed 3/4″ from the top of the straps because I’m petite in the upper chest. I think I also took out 1″ at the waist.
- Sorry for the foggy details – you’ll understand if you’ve read about my slow concussion recovery!
So, how did I do? I feel brave and sassy while wearing this dress, so for me it’s a win. I’d love to see more sexy sewing in the plus size sewing world, on a range of bodies and in whatever way makes you feel powerful and strong. No one should have to look sexy all the time, but it’s fun to have some outfits that put a swing in your step and a twinkle in your eye!
Would you like to join the Sewcialists for Sew Brave this May? You can make anything as long as it’s a challenge for you – that could mean making pj pants for one sewist, or a couture jacket for another! Try a new technique, use that precious fabric you’ve been hoarding, experiment with silhouette or colour, or whatever you want. Check our the hashtag #SewBraveSewcialists for some great inspiration, and if you aren’t already, come follow us at @Sewcialists on Instagram! Right now five of the seven Sewcialists Editors are plus size, so this community is near and dear to our hearts. Thanks for having me, Curvy Sewing Collective!
You’re a queen and these photos are so good! Such good work done here!
I’m having trouble picturing the power mesh lining. Is it cut like a regular lining? And just provides enough structure to keep everything smooth? (Because when you say power mesh, I think shapewear.)
This really looks good, however you lined it! How wonderful to be comfortable AND attractive/sexy at the same time!
And…adding to this to try to get around the program…my validation expired and then it thought I was submitting a duplicate comment.
I’m having trouble picturing the power mesh lining. Is it cut like a regular lining? And just provides enough structure to keep everything smooth? (Because when you say power mesh, I think shapewear.)
This really looks good, however you lined it! How wonderful to be comfortable AND attractive/sexy at the same time!
Gillian, you’re making it really tough for me to continue to pretend that Burda doesn’t exist! This dress looks gorgeous on you!
Gorgeous. So is the dress. 😉 Sewing our own clothes is so empowering.
It took me a long time to realize that “any time” is the right time to wear something that makes me feel amazing. A good example is I’d make a little black dress out of silk dupioni or a really nice linen and say, “now I have something else to wear on date night, or to go dancing,” or whatever. I’d do the same with homemade silk 4-ply or charmeuse blouses or a stunning challis dress. Often I wouldn’t wear these things frequently at all because I was “afraid of ruining it.” Come on! Why was I spending time making it if not to enjoy it as much as possible? And one day I just started wearing this stuff like “regular” clothes. I went marketing and to the post office in my black silk dress with a denim jacket. Or I’d wear my silk blouses with a khaki or linen skirt to meet friends for breakfast at a local cafe.
Own that fabulous dress – you look amazing. We sewists are in a unique situation – we can fit our bodies with fabrics and styles that flatter us and make us feel great. And that dress really flatters you!
You look adorable! So well done! Love it!
Thank you! I can’t wait for summer when i can wear this without freezing! 🙂
I followed to the blog. TIming is everything. I was in a car accident two months ago and feel like I’m loosing my mind, Reading the article https://thesewcialists.com/2019/04/12/who-we-are-coping-with-acquired-brain-injury/
gave me hope. THANK YOU!
Oh honey, I’m so sorry for you! And welcome to the club. You are definitely not loosing your mind. <3 It's such a struggle learning to live with a different brain than you had before, and even harder to allow yourself time to heal without putting pressure on yourself!
This looks so gorgeous! Hmm, now I want to dress sexy today…
You do everyday sexy so well!
You look totally beautiful.
Thank you1 I’m grateful to the posiveity of the sewing community for making me feel prettier than I ever did growing up! <3
I think you look stunning
Thank you! It’s a change from my normal look, but fun for a try! 🙂
Well you always look great – you have such a good way of interacting with the camera – but I can tell that this isn’t your sweet spot (though how could it be with the weather?!?!?!) The dress is beautiful and lovely on you – I do love those lines! I kind of want to make this now… I’m trying to reconnect with the nature of “dressing sexy”. I sort of feel I dressed largely the same but it came off sexier? I will say that I totally play the boob card when I want to sexy it up. I always have a gorgeous bra on (when I bother to wear it!) so why not show it off?
I have to say, I put on a new shift dress today that I just made, and OMG is that thing my sartorial sweet spot! Bold colours, bold stripes. I’ve got a big Pinterest board going on what i might wear to a family wedding this summer, and this dress was part of playing around with what makes me feel absolutely awesome and strong. SO far, i think the answer is: i like cleavage but prefer a firm secure deep wrap neckline… and bold is more me than delicate! That said, I’m totally going to wear this dress and enjoy it!
You look absolutely beautiful…and yes, very sexy!
Mwah! Thank you!
I think this dress is nice and sexy without exposing everything you have like the actresses do. I love that dress on you and it fits you well and looks fantastic on you.
Thank you! Showing skin is so specific to each person, isn’t it? Let’s just say I’m always mindful not to show more than I want to when I post pictures on the internet! 😉
Looks fabulous, I love this dress. Funny that you talk about loosing sexiness I feel like that as well. I think I’ll start looking to make a few sexier outfits that are comfortable
It’s nice to have something in your wardrobe that makes you feel hot! I mean, I’ll wear my boxy tees more often than I wear this, but I feel happy knowing I can whip this out when the time is right. Hope you have fun sewing yourself something sassy!
One of the MANY things I love about your dress is that it makes you feel sexy without having to show lots of skin! Too many people confuse “overly-revealing” with that “golly you look appealing” feminine dress, which fits well, is flattering, and reveals enough curves to hint at sexy.
Well done!
Thank you! I think “sexy” is so specific to each person – could involve a lot of skin or just a little or none! This is definitely the happy medium for me personally! 🙂
Is this pattern still available, I see it is from 2015?
Yup! i just bought the PDF recently. 🙂