A few blog posts ago I showed you the Cielo top that I’d sewn and subsequently given to my mum.  This time I’ll show you the Cielo dress that I sewed two sizes smaller than the top.

This time around I sewed size 12 (my measurements put me in size 16) and I adore the resulting garment! This is another one of my hit sews for the year. This is essentially view C of the pattern, but without the pockets. I didn’t have enough fabric to do the view with the pockets, but don’t you worry, next time I sew this dress I’ll do it with both the pockets and the lantern sleeves.

A big part of my love of this dress is that I was working with the perfect fabric for it. It’s a soft cotton pique that moved from Anna‘s stash to mine, and I’m so glad that it did! Why is there not more pique in the world?  The added texture is so delightful!  And I could not get over how perfectly the colours in the print worked with my Bokyna sandals.  I wore this outfit on an incredibly hot day last week, and I stayed cool and comfortable throughout.

I did the construction and topstitching in matching aqua thread on my machine, and used my overlocker to finish seam allowances (but not to construct). I decided to leave the cuffs turned up but not topstitched down. I don’t think that they need it! I used plenty of pins to secure the neckline facing before topstitching it from the right side, using a guide attached to my sewing machine to ensure that the stitching was done at the same distance from the opening for the entire way around.

I really like those shoulder yoke pieces. Depending on your fabric choice you could play with the direction of print/pattern/weave or use a contrast, or pipe the seam. I went with simply cutting the pieces on a different angle, and topstitching beside the seam.

You possibly haven’t been able to spot the bust darts in the print. I sewed the C cup option. The darts come from the armhole seam, and help to ensure that the dress is loose through the body but not baggy overall.

From the pattern website: Part of our Rome Collection, the Cielo Dress & Top is an easy, breezy take on a boxy tee and shift dress. Loaded with interesting details and interchangeable features, it will fast become a wardrobe building favourite. Choose between a semi-cropped top with a cuffed short sleeve (View A) or dramatic gathered long sleeve (View B). Or, make an easy fitting dress with sleek inseam pockets (View C), or without pockets (View D). All views have a slightly dropped shoulder, angled shoulder yoke and roomy fit, with a choice between an elegant bias binding or faced neckline finish.

I think that this dress fills the spot in my wardrobe that used to be taken by the Inari dress, and I will definitly sew the Cielo again.