Brick walls actually have quite a few stories to tell

Some of you might know that I have a parttime job at a Belgian chain store that sells sewing supplies, accessories and hosiery. I'm responsible for the creative corner and quite enjoy it, since I can spend about 20 hours every week talking about sewing or knitting. My main annoyance is that salespeople are required encouraged to wear hosiery, jewelry or other accessories from the shop. I don't mind the hosiery part since I live in black tights for about 8 months of the year (free tights!) but I'm not crazy about the jewelry selection (too many rhinestones, not enough skulls or eyes) and my part of the store gets super hot, so scarves are out of the question.

This small issue kept coming back, but I think we found a solution! The store carried a small selection of cotton prints before, but has recently started to focus more on dress fabrics as well. The latest offerings aren't even all poly! So I managed to arrange a little trade: if something catches my eye I can take it home and make something out of it, for free, as long as I wear it while I work. This is one of those makes:

Eagle-eyed people among you might notice that I have made this pattern before, in red lace. It's essentially a lengthened top with two bust darts and wide sleeves, and I like it as much as the first one!

The drape of this dress is a bit different since both fabrics used here are a lot lighter than the red ones. The lace is nylon instead of cotton (and a bit stretchier) and the underlining is a plain viscose. I did exactly the same thing as before: sewing the shell and underlining separately and basting them together before inserting the sleeves and finishing the neckline.

The neckline is finished with a narrow bias facing, which was handstitched in place. I actually prickstitched through all layers since I was worried the viscose wouldn't be sturdy enough to stay flat. It worked out well and the texture of the lace makes for an invisible finish.

This lace had a very clear repeat and doesn't fray, so it was perfect for a scalloped hem. It's been washed a few times now and still holds up fine! I just made sore the lace motifs matched up at the seams and carefully cut away the fabric to create the scallops.

I really like the drapiness of the wide sleeves! It makes a plain shift dress a bit more interesting. It will go into the closet for a while now though, since it's definitely too short to wear without tights! Funny how a thin layer of skintight nylon makes such a difference.

I like this dress a lot and get quite a few compliments on it, but I don't think I would have made it if I hadn't gotten the materials for free, honestly. Both me and my coworkers feel that the fabrics we sell tend to be quite overpriced... Fine maybe if you live far away from any real fabric stores, but if you're used to a way larger selection and lower prices it's a bit silly! Anyway, I'm just happy it's not all polyester anymore. Now please rerelease that amazing digital mountain landscape fabric on a cotton sateen instead of that stuff that looked like bathing suit fabric but wasn't. I'd even pay full price for that one.