My good friend and muse, Miss V, gifted me a length of printed batik from Cambodia, where she lives, studies and connects with every person she meets. You may remember the red dress I made for her a couple of years ago (has it been that long?!) from the same type of fabric, and, yes, the same pattern. The fabric comes in a set length/width, and is usually stitched together to form a continuous piece. One then steps into it and ties it sarong style at the waist or upper chest if you’re tiny. I decided to keep the dress idea alive and well.
There is nothing much to say about this pattern. I did my usual FBA of about 2.5cm, and did a 5cm short-waist adjustment (which works better than the popular sway back alteration with my shape). I left the fit a bit loose through the underbust and waist. I’m starting to get self-conscious about the middle spread phenomenon that seems to be my lot in life right now. Wanna see the best part of this dress?
The BACK!!! Isn’t it awesome? I love that it’s so average from the front, and then when I turn around, hello!
Here’s the stamp on the CB seam allowance.
I lined it with cotton batiste, and put in an invisible zip down the centre back. I used the selvedge as the hem. I’m glad it’s summer. The sun and bright colours are wonderful to see after the long dreary drab winter.
Mezzo Couture 
This looks fantastic on you!
I am usually weary of using cap sleeves, they seem to cut off at exactly the wrong point and make my arms look like chicken wings. Ever so attractive! (I add an inch or two, that avoids the problem). I really like them with this dress.
Great project. Hope you enjoy wearing it a lot.
The print placement is great!
I love it!!!!
So pretty! You look fantastic and that fabric is awesome!
Perfect placement of the design. I love it!
So pretty! I’d not consider the front to be especially drab, but the back is especially exciting! “Hello!” indeed.
Lovely dress! I really like how you placed the fabric design. The back is awesome!
It’s my favourite part, too!
You’re so clever in your use of the fabric – putting the detail at the back – brilliant and looks fantastic. Great colour too.
That’s lovely. Beautiful colours and it looks so cool and comfortable.
That fabric is just everything! It makes a very pretty dress!
Very pretty. I love, love the back. Such an interesting design and wonderful mirror imaging of the design.
I was so happy the fabric lent itself easily to the CB mirror. No fiddling required!
I love the simplicity of the front and the complexity of the pattern the back!
Very pretty. And orange, I love orange!
Me, too!
Great dress and love the contrasting sleeves! And your hair…blond and fluffy…looking good!
Love the colour, looks great on you!
Thanks! Orange is one of my fave colours.
Pretty! And perfectly fitting!
Just lovely, as is the red version. You are giving me ideas as to what to do with my sarong fabric!
Lovely- elegant, cool, and fun!
Thank you! Cool is the name of the game this summer…