This is the last Ethereal dress for a little while, surely!  I made it a couple of weeks ago when I was on a “sewing for the girls” binge, but it only had its first wear on the weekend just gone.

This is another sleeveless version, which should be terrific for summer but obviously can be easily layered over a long-sleeved tee and leggings for the cooler days of spring that we are currently enjoying. The fabric is a printed knit from Clear It, possibly from the Alannah Hill range.  I bought quite a bit, and both girls are fighting over who will have the next garment made from it.  If it looks familiar that is because you have seen it before in another colour way in this dress I made Clare earlier in the year when I was at Sewjourn.  Speaking of Sewjourn, is it too soon to start the countdown to our November trip?

I can make these dresses rather quickly now! As with Clare’s most recent Ethereal, I omitted the back opening and simply cut this on the fold. It slips on without needing to be unbuttoned. The edge of the flounce was finished with the rolled hem setting on the overlocker, and the skirt hem and bodice seamline were finished with twin needle stitching on the overlocker.

The fully lined bodice is easy to construct, with the “burrito” method used to finish the armholes before sewing the side seams of the bodice outer and lining in one step. I must remember that method for lined sleeveless bodices! In fact, I think I’ll use it on my next Myrtle dress – I’ll just have to remember to cut two back bodice pieces in order to do it.

This is the same size as the Foxy Ethereal dress that I made for Stella a few weeks earlier, size 4/5 width but 6/7 length.  Do I really have to put this pattern away for a little while and move onto another one?  I like it so much!

And did you notice that gap in her smile?  Adorable!