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Monday 12 May 2014

60s style Tessuti Gabby Dress

I have no idea of what to say about this dress other than, no I am NOT pregnant. And yes I'm sure!


I've seen the Tessuti Gabby Dress on a lot of people and it looks SO cute! I love the A-Line shape. It looks so cool, and summery, so of course I wanted one for myself! I wasn't sure the dress would fit so I went into Tessuti and they measured me, and the flat pattern and me were a match! Hooray!


I made a sleevless toile of this dress before chopping into this nice fabric from My-Hung Fashion Fabric in Parramatta (it was about $5/meter = bargain)!  Whilst I love the fabric I think it's just too thick for the style of this dress - it needs something more floaty and drapey. As it is it looks like a tent...but it was only ever meant as a test to see if it fits so no big deal.

I'm also not sure if this style suits my figure as I'm quite busty with big hips and thighs. Whilst I love a shift dress, or even an a-line dress in a floaty knit perhaps such a stiff a-line silhouette isn't for me?


Whilst the toile of this dress felt fine without sleeves as soon as I saw the cut out of the sleeves I thought it might be too tight on my upper arms/biceps. I tried to figure out a way of adjusting the sleeves -- to make them a bit more loose and flared but I couldn't wrap my brain around it so the original sleeves went in. I didn't have enough fabric to cut them on the grain which might be accounting for the fact they feel snug under the arms.


As you can seen the sleeves fit me (I couldn't be bothered hemming them) and aren't cutting in on my biceps like I thought. BUT the dress feels too tight...somewhere. It feels restrictive. I can't figure out if the sleeves are too tight under my arms or of the dress is pulling on the upper back now that the sleeves are on.

All of that aside, I'm pretty pleased with the job I did of setting the sleeves. First time, no problems! 


Oh, and you can see my knees! How scandalous! The dress is fairly short (I'm nearly 5ft 8') and as I didn't have enough fabric to extend the length I've hemmed it with 3mm bias binding which I'm liking the look of.


I'm not sure if I should have another stab at making this dress - what do you think?  There's a bit I want to change - more drapey fabric, make it longer, taper the sides in so it's less of an a-line shape and somehow figure out what's going on with the sleeves. Maybe I should just make it in a knit...my new love!

16 comments:

  1. I think, like me, you need a more defined waist to prevent looking boxy or bigger. I don't hate it on you, but I have seen you in more flattering things. I do like the length on you though :)

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  2. I really love it on you! The colour and length are perfection! Have you tried it with a belt?

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  3. From the photos I like to seeing your knees. It balances out the A-line... you've got great pins!

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  4. I think it's a nice dress on you. Maybe nice and cool in a light fabric in warm weather? I think from my own experience, the tightness in upper back you might need a wide upper back adjustment. Kind of like a fba. Google it to find a tutorial. I always have to do this if I make a woven top / dress with sleeves.

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  5. Softer fabric would make the world of difference to this dress and would help it drape and give you shape to your waist.

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  6. I rather like the shape but agree this dress would work best with fabric that has a bit of drape. That being said I have this pattern and was planning on making it in a thicker cotton. The blue in this fabric is stunning.

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  7. I think the stiffer shape could work really well on someone with a slimmer frame (ie YOU)! Probably avoid quilting cotton though...otherwise you'll end up with a tent like mine!

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  8. I agree! I'm debating if I should make it AGAIN, especially now knowing it's a bit tight up top.

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  9. I'll check it out on Mr Google...so much to learn, but lucky for me sewist are so ready to help and share their knowledge!

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  10. I felt INDECENT with my knees showing (and my knees felt cold)!!

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  11. Belts are NOT my friend! I don't even own one. I agree though, the colour is gorgeous!

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  12. Everybody is loving my knees in this dress...scandalous! I'm going to give it one more whirl in something drapey...just for kicks.

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  13. Catherine Alekna1 June 2014 at 22:39

    i actually quite like the style on you! but i never got to find out how you finished this dress! (ive had this tab open on my computer for ages)

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  14. Hi Melanie,
    Am just deciding whether to make the Gabby or not and whether it would suit my figure, and of course I googled and found you in your lovely dress. Have you made another one in a drapier(?) fabric? (more drapey fabric??)

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  15. Melanie Y (Miss Piggy)10 December 2014 at 11:42

    Hi Turina...I've not made myself another Gabby as I've entered into a love affair with stretchy fabrics. I have seen drapey fabrics though for this dress and they look LOVELY! You've got me thinking though..should I make myself another Gabby...I need to figure out how to make the sleeves a bit bigger...or perhaps I should make it sleeveless?

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  16. Think I'm going to have to go for it, got a bit of time now that summer has decided to go and hide for a bit. I made the Lily dress from Tessuti as well and found it ran a bit large, I pulled the sleeves out of that dress and it looks much better!

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