Summer Dressing

Brazilian-born sewing blogger, Rachel Pinheiro shares how to make a yellow dress work for you

Trend: yellow

Let’s just pretend April showers aren’t happening in May and hot weather is just around the corner in June! I know the 2021 version of yellow is a soft modelled on the pastel trend but yellow for my skin tone has to be a vitamin-rich, vibrant shade.

Hope Dress from Style Arc

I styled with pink statement earrings and chunky heel sandals. This dress shape would also look super cute with a quilted double strapped flat sandal. Letting my curls natural as the pools are finally opened, and I’m back on my daily swim schedule.

Pattern & Fabric choices

Could this flowy dress be the perfect spring-summer piece for you? The Hope dress by Style Arc is described as an easy slip, high-waisted dress. The deep raglan armhole really sets this dress apart from similar loose fit styles. It has a button closure but the neckline is wide enough to ignore it.

The yellow fabric certainly wins in spreading a jolt of positivity.

I confess the pattern is way out of my comfort zone in terms of shape. I had to add a waist tie, as I don’t normally wear loose clothes. As you may imagine as a tall gal, it’s rare for me not to alter the fit, and its just part of sewing for me. For this pattern, I had to lengthen the bodice to sit naturally where the design was intended.

Praia Lightweight Slub Rayon from Modelo Fabrics

The fabric I chose is described as lightweight slub rayon and it’s truly delicious to sew. This is the type of fabric that let your body breath and I’m certain it will feel fresh on the skin during a hot day. Its only downside is that it creases like linen!

Here is how to add length choices

Determine where length will be added and draw a horizontal line. This line needs to be at right angles from the grainline. The line doesn’t have to be drawn in a particular place. You just need to ensure it’s the same place both front and back of the pattern, and won’t interfere with the design.

For this pattern just after the raglan sleeves - draw two vertical lines on the paper to match the pattern pieces to. Cut along the split lines, and add paper to extend the pattern. I added 5cm length and glued back the rest of the pattern you removed. True the sides and now you added length to the bodice.

Editor’s notes

PATTERN - Rachel has chosen the Hope Dress from Style Arc. One thing worth mentioning is Style Arc pattern instructions are brief so some sewing experience is assumed.

FABRIC - Rachel has chosen to make her trend-led yellow dress in Modelo’s Praia lightweight Slub Rayon Fabric (Code: MODR132232-5011). This fabric is drapey, cool and garments hang beautifully when they’re made from it. There’s a slight linen textured effect, which adds a dimension to garments. It’s the ideal fabric for summer tops and dresses.