Eva in orange
I’ve sewn up the Tessuti Eva dress a few times now. Mostly I sew the sleeveless version, but I felt it was time for another with short sleeves.
I find this an extremely easy style to wear. It’s also rather straightforward to sew, especially when sewing the short sleeved version and eliminating the side seam pockets.
From the Tessuti website: This loose dress features a bodice that sits at high waist and a panelled, lantern-shaped skirt with side pockets. It can be made up in either a short-sleeved (A) or sleeveless (B) version. The Eva Dress is designed to be simple and stylish garment and makes for a comfortable and cool addition to your summer wardrobe. It’s best made up in medium weight crinkle and plain linens, textured cottons and cotton blends. For layering in the cooler months, Eva can also be made up in a wool crepe.
This pattern is one of Tessuti’s earlier patterns, and has recently been redrafted and re-released, including in a larger size range (up to size 22). My pattern is the original, and I think that I sewed this in size Medium (roughly an Australian size 12). My measurements are closer to the Large.
The fabric is hand-woven silk that I bought in Chiang Mai. I turned the neckline binding to the outside for added interest, and did the same to finish the sleeve hems and the skirt hemline. The hemline is quite curved, so bias works well there.
I chose to sew this dress on the sewing machine then finish all the seams together on the overlocker. I thought that this would be the strongest finish for this fabric, which looks as though it could have a tendency to shred a little under stress. That’s one of the reasons why I left out the pockets – I didn’t want to risk heavy objects pulling down against the seams.
I’m very pleased with this dress and know that I am likely to get years of wear from it. The colour is quite iridescent in the sunlight, which isn’t really picked up in these photos. I feel great in it, it’s comfortable, and it holds great memories. What more could you want!
Love this one on you Lara. The colour is fabulous. I have wondered how it would suit me. I think I need to try it.
Hi. What a fabulous colour on you. Your coloring really suits vibrant colours and the style looks great. I am keen to know why you sewed a medium when your measurements are closer to a large ? The fit seems perfect. Best Sue
Hi Sue – I choose sizes depending on the amount of ease that I prefer. I check the finished garment measurements against my own measurements then decide what size I want.
That fabric is beautiful Lara, the dress ticks all the boxes for you and I am tempted to buy it from Tessuti (mind you, I like all their dresses, just choosing one is the problem!).
It’s a stunning dress, the neckline really suits you and it drapes beautifully. I hope you get lots of lovely wear out of it.
Gorgeous dress and colour on you.
The colour is great on you and I love the style too. Lovely!
It’s really beautiful
That looks wonderful on you! The color is so perfect! I’m glad to know that Tessuti is increasing their size range–like you, I choose the size by the actual size of the completed garment, and I wasn’t sure I could get enough “breathing space” in some of theirs.
What a beautiful dress! Suits you very well.
Wow, this is just beautiful! Great colour on you and it hangs just perfectly. Really special!
The fabric is just gorgeous. It seems like the perfect pattern for the fabric too, very simple and shows off the beauty of the fabric… it must be amazing to wear on hot summer days!
That’s a great style, and I love anything in orange!
Beautiful shade of orange. The fabric and colour make this simple design shine!
Lovely dress and great colour.
Looks great Lara perfect colour for you and lovely fabric, I have made this several times too, I leave the pockets out and am yet to make it in the fabric I like, will try again, I think for me Linen??? Enjoy your dress and I agree one you will have for many years, for you Large??? I think would be too big, Lyn
That dress is perfect on you! The colour, the shape, the fabric…. Winning!
Just lovely! you look wonderful in this color and in a solid. Very becoming!
Your dress looks perfect in that gorgeous fabric! Orange is my favourite colour.
This looks great!
Re sizes. Some people say that the bust measurement the big four give is actually the high bust measurement. That’s partly why the sizes run so big!
I see there’s no darts. I wonder if it would need an FBA for a larger busted person?
Beautiful work, as usual! I love the colour! I have this pattern also and I’m wondering if you shortened it; if so, did you take some out of each section, or…? Thanks!