Gemma’s Hinterland Dress
I’ve come across double gauze fabric a few times before, and at the time of receiving my box from Hayley I even had some sitting in my stash, but had not yet been convinced to sew with it. I wasn’t sure if I liked the feel of it, and couldn’t imagine liking how it would feel as a garment, or how it would look. But that’s the great thing about receiving a subscription box – it really pushes you to try things outside your comfort zone, and this box once again did just that. I fell in love with the fabric as soon as I saw it, it has such a cosy feel and I love the colour – a beautiful pale blue – that I couldn’t help but feel this would be the fabric that would change my mind.
The Hinterland dress is a new release from Sew Liberated, and is a simple yet elegant dress that can be made in various different ways, from different sleeve lengths and hem, to having a button placket on just the front or down the entirety of the dress. I instantly thought this would be a great pattern to see me through the winter as well as in the summer depending on the fabric choice, and hopefully a simple sew, because who doesn’t love an uncomplicated make?
Thinking about making the dress for the colder months, I decided to make a sleeveless version so I could wear thermals underneath (extra warmth!) and be able to throw a chunky cardigan over it and not have to much bulk. I also decided to ‘hack’ slightly by cutting the front on the fold rather than creating the button placket, partly for a quicker sew, but also to let the simplicity of the fabric and pattern really do the talking.
When it came to sewing, I have to admit I was already starting to be convinced by the joy of double gauze fabric. Cutting out was a breeze, and it went through my machine effortlessly – I’m not sure if I was expecting it to be difficult but I’m glad it wasn’t! The pattern was also a dream, fairly simple in construction and not too many pieces (mainly because I didn’t do the button plackets).
The longest part was gathering the skirt, and usually I’m not a fan of massively gathered skirts being a curvier lady, but the fabric was so light that it gathered evenly and didn’t look too bulky. One thing to pick with the pattern – the pockets. I was very glad of in-seam pockets (I would have added them myself had they not been present) however I find the placement of them too low down for my liking – maybe I have very short arms, but I would prefer them higher up to the waistline! So next time I would raise the placement of them, but other than that I had no issues with the pattern.
And there will definitely be a next time! I think it came together beautifully, and I’m so happy with how the fabric feels – I am now convinced by double gauze! It’s a perfect weight for the dress, being nice and floaty with the right amount of drape, yet structured enough that it doesn’t ride up when worn with tights (because that is always the dreaded dress nightmare!)
Its super cosy and roomy (I might even size down for the next one!) It keeps me surprisingly warm, which I didn’t think it would do but as double gauze is a two layered fabric it makes sense that it would be secretly slightly thermal! I will definitely make another and do the button placket, as this would be a great way to show off any beautiful buttons you may have in your stash – the ones from Whim Wham Buttons in a previous box would be stunning! The pattern has so much potential, and I’m really happy that yet again another SewHayleyJane box has given me a new love for a fabric I might otherwise not have worked with!