(The answer is yes, except for some rather small scraps, so breathe a sigh of relief!)
Happy Monday! Somehow, I managed to finish my Inari Tee Dress exactly when I expected to–crazy, right?!? I’m really excited for you all to see my shiny new dress, so let’s get to it:
Inari Tee Dress in ikat
Front view + Mulder
Side view, because THAT SPLIT HEM, THO.
*insert witty caption here*
WTF?
If I can sits, it fits
Sorry about the weird drag happening in the back view photo–that’s what I get for not standing straight in photos! For the record, I AM STOKED ON THIS DRESS. I love it. I adore the cocoon-ish shape and interesting hem detail, and my inner greaser wishes I smoked so I could cram a spare cigarette or three in those sleeve cuffs! I totally bit off part of the styling from the Named site for the dress’s debut outing (and subsequent photos)–I bought sheer knee-socks a few years ago when they came back in style, and loved the idea of them with this dress after seeing the styled photos of the Named sample. That being said, one thing I still cannot get behind is tights or hose or socks with open-toed shoes; these booties were my first choice and I could not be happier with how the entire thing came together. My only regret is that I cannot get away with wearing it to the office like this (big split hem + knee socks + heels = scandal in a corporate environment), but that’s why I have an entire arsenal of cute, mod-ish flats, including a pair in the perfect shade of yellow! 😀
Hopefully these photos show exactly how many elements I had to deal with when thinking about how to lay and cut out my pieces–shit got weird reallllll quick. See, apart from not being able to exactly center the pattern the way I wanted it (“arrows” pointing up and down instead of side to side, both to maximize usage of all colors and design elements and to elongate rather than widen my silhouette), I *also* needed to be cognizant of the potential for those diamond/arrow motifs sitting too low over my chest and giving the dress a very artistic “droopy, fried-egg-on-a-nail boobs” impression. (Go ahead: I dare you to un-see that now!) I managed to avoid that, thank goodness!! And my sleeves match each other pretty closely. I really wanted the black portion of the diamond motif to point downward rather than up, and to have my hem stop below the point–another “check” for my pattern placement list on this dress! (Can you see why I had so much trouble with the layout? I had a lot of arbitrary “musts” for how the pattern fell on the final garment, apparently!) On top of all of that, there were a few flaws in the weave of the material–they look like ladders in tights, but they aren’t tears or holes–which, although probably common in ikat (and therefore not truly considered a flaw), I did NOT want one of those front and center. So after working around all of that, I am very happy with the final dress! Motif placement struggles aside, the fabric and pattern combination really came together beautifully. This ikat is lighter than the other length I had, so it’s just drapey enough to feel nice while still having the body to hold the shape of the cocoon and angular splits on its own.
Construction-wise, this dress was pretty easy. Hooray!! I made zero fitting adjustments apart from copying the width of the shoulders from my Scout pattern to make sure I had enough room. (Concerning the length, Named drafts on a base height of 5’8″; if my doctor is to be believed, I am about 1/2″ to 1″ taller than that, but my legs also aren’t super long. Hopefully that provides a bit of a reference for anyone considering making this.) This was my second time making a Named Clothing pattern, but this one was obviously more involved than my Shadi knit skirt. The trickiest part was successfully sewing the splits at the hem, simply because my fabric is not stretchy and the maneuvering required under the needle is difficult on such a small hem circumference with no elasticity and those sharp corners. I also insisted on having my needle thread on the outside of the dress, which undoubtedly added to my difficulties (i.e., a whole lot of dress bunched up to the right of my needle). But I did it, and I think the splits and hem look really good:
Split hem: Outside
Split hem: Inside
The line drawing is very accurate as well, both in terms of the silhouette and the wrapping of the side seams to the front of the dress toward the hemline. The instructions were adequate and sensible, although I was confused by the technique used to begin sewing the splits. After sewing the side seams from the underarm up to the start of the split, the directions have you turn the hem allowance to the right side and sew the edge (at the splits) for the width of the hem allowance. (So if we imagine the side seam running all the way to the bottom raw edge of the dress, you’re basically sewing the hem’s width of that side seam and then stopping.) Then you turn that sewn corner (mine look SPECTACULAR thanks to my bone folder, FYI–get one if you can/want!) back to the inside, press well along the hem AND the open parts of the side seams that will create the splits (so basically, press those unsewn seam allowances under), and then in one swoop, sew the hem and splits, catching those pressed SA’s along the splits and hem. Turning the hem to the front and sewing any part of it made me side-eye this whole thing at first, but after practicing on a scrap, it all made sense. That technique also results in a nice clean finish on those corners, which could get sloppy and bulky really easily otherwise!
I have now worn this dress two days in a row, which probably sounds gross, but the first day was only for 4 hours so whatever. 🙂 It’s really comfortable, but obviously does not lend itself to extreme acrobatics or curling up in a fetal position to take a nap in the front seat of your car. Proportionally speaking, I think my hips are a little wider than Named’s base draft for my size, but not so much that I need an adjustment there with this pattern. I have already formulated a devilish plan to make the crop top variation to wear with version 2.0 of the Shadi skirt pattern, so I’ll be starting on that this week.
That about does it for me and this dress, but how about some Mads & Mulder outtakes??
“Do I have pizza stuck in my teeth?”
Headpats for puppy!
SURPRISE FACE KISSES!!!
Beast mode: Activated
Happy and tired and perfect
If you’re still with me, thank you for visiting and checking out this post! Hopefully I’ll be back soon to share progress from my basic block pattern class–our second class is tomorrow and I still need to do my homework from last week!
(Oh, and below is my supply list for the Inari dress.)
**Disclaimer: I feel like this is really obvious, but I want to be clear that I am not affiliated with or compensated by any site that I link to for tools, fabric, or patterns, etc. I’m just sharing what I used and liked because I appreciate it when other people share that kind of information just because they had a good experience and want to give others a good resource. It also helps me if, in the future, I forget where I got “that thing that time,” which is sadly likely. =) **
25 thoughts on “An Inari for Spring! (aka Is This B*tch Out of Ikat Yet?!?)”
I. LOVE. THIS. SO. MUCH. And those boots! Gah! I’m totally digging this look and I feel you on the whole “can’t wear this to the office” bummer part. Maybe for casual Friday? If that’s even a thing at your office…
Oh, and the eggs hanging from a nail thing- I just call those flapjacks, LOL. I’m glad there’s not any of that happening here. :-p
So yeah, love the fabric, love the dress, LOVE that split hem, tights, boots, weird poses… LOVE IT ALL. Oh, and your dog looks pretty cool, too. 😉
You are too kind–thank you! Our dress code is actually jeans every day, but I’m paranoid about getting sent home for being too risque. But maybe one of these days I’ll try it (and make sure I pack a spare outfit, just in case)! Mulder is indeed pretty cool, and he loves helping with blog photo time! He is much cuter than me, which isn’t the best idea for photos for a sewing blog, is it?? =)
Risque? Your outfit covers all the vital bits… if they send you home, then they just have no fashion sense!
My kitties and chickies try to photobomb me all the time, but they are usually making weird faces or are facing their butts to the camera. Mulder is much more photogenic than my kids. 🙂
The dress looks fantastic! I love how you styled it. It looks like a tricky print to work with–bravo! And I love all the Mulder pics too 🙂
Thank you! Once I finally decided on a layout, working with the design wasn’t too bad. But there are a lot of elements in there, for sure! Mulder is definitely my blog photo buddy now–apart from being very photogenic, he genuinely seems to like helping/photobombing, plus that means he gets to play outside for a while. Your beautiful Lucy reminds me of him, since he is part Cattle Dog. 🙂
yes, he totally has the cattle dog face and ears! What a cute guy 🙂
Yassss! Never stop making things in ikat. This is definitely my favourite yet. Love the styling too. Wear those socks to the office. #kneesocksrevolution #fuckthesystem
LOL You know, given what I’ve seen some colleagues wear in the office, I could probably get away with it. But nobody wants to be “that guy” who got sent home for a dresscode violation as an adult! 😀
Hah! I definitely thought of you when I saw how many good Mulder photos we had–I must tell him he has a few admirers online! He’s just too cute and good not to share, even if he will outshine whatever it is I’m actually supposed to be photographing. 🙂 (Proud pet mom alert!) And thank you very much for the kind compliments on my dress!
It turned out great! I love how the pattern works so well with that giant print…and LMAO at “is this b*tch out of ikat yet?” Also, I hadn’t really noticed before, but your legs go on for days! And this stubby pinned gal is a bit jealous. Ha.
Haha I’m glad someone besides me was amused by that header–I just feel like 3 different ikat items in less than 12 months is a little odd for me! And that’s funny you mention the legs, because I’ve always felt that they’re pretty short in proportion to how tall I am overall (I’m workin’ with a lot of torso and neck up in here!); the grass is always greener, huh? 😀 Thanks so much for your comment on the dress, too: it is much appreciated!
Your dress looks fabulous, a stop you in the street and ask were you got it kind of dress. and of course you can say, modestly, “oh, I made it.” They’ll be stunned. I did have to scroll back up and take a second look after reading the fried egg comment. 🙂
Thank you so much! And as excited as I am about what I make, I still struggle with outright announcing to someone that I made it after they’ve complimented me. Maybe someday it will come more easily to me!
This turned out just wonderful!! I have read this post like 4 times now but it’s too hard to comment from my phone, so I’m finally here on my computer!
I love the off-center placement of the print and the fun cocoon shape…I think I’ll have to take a closer look at this pattern!
BTW, I had no idea you were that tall! Not that it really matters, it’s just interesting to me how hard it is to gauge height from blog pictures!
Aw, thank you! And yes, do check this pattern out: it’s so nice and easy to wear while still being fashionable. Win-Win!
Oh man, I don’t even bother reading my blogroll from my phone–I can’t even imagine trying to post a comment that way!! And re: my height, I think part of the problem is that, like you said, it’s tough to gauge that from photos; apart from that, my husband usually stands on the one level of the deck with me on the other one, so the perspective is always “off,” and I think my bird bones just make me look small overall. 😀
I just ordered this pattern and will definitely reference this post when I come to sew it. Great review and PS, I don’t think any gal can have too much ikat!!
Thank you, Amy! I think you’ll love it–I can’t wait to see what you come up with for this pattern! And I seriously almost put this dress back on with my ikat backpack for a photo, but the weather that day was awful and I never got around to it. THAT might have been too much ikat, LOL!
I can’t imagine how hard that must have been to lay that pattern out so that the diamonds and arrows didn’t (ahem) drag your girls down. It turned out so perfect. I’m with the others. Shake things up a bit at the office and wear that make there. It’s too great to leave at home. I’m going to have to try that pattern too!
Thank you! Hopefully once our spring weather comes back I will have the nerve to wear this outfit to work, though I can’t promise I won’t pack a spare outfit that day! 🙂
Life in A "Mads" House 
I. LOVE. THIS. SO. MUCH. And those boots! Gah! I’m totally digging this look and I feel you on the whole “can’t wear this to the office” bummer part. Maybe for casual Friday? If that’s even a thing at your office…
Oh, and the eggs hanging from a nail thing- I just call those flapjacks, LOL. I’m glad there’s not any of that happening here. :-p
So yeah, love the fabric, love the dress, LOVE that split hem, tights, boots, weird poses… LOVE IT ALL. Oh, and your dog looks pretty cool, too. 😉
You are too kind–thank you! Our dress code is actually jeans every day, but I’m paranoid about getting sent home for being too risque. But maybe one of these days I’ll try it (and make sure I pack a spare outfit, just in case)! Mulder is indeed pretty cool, and he loves helping with blog photo time! He is much cuter than me, which isn’t the best idea for photos for a sewing blog, is it?? =)
Risque? Your outfit covers all the vital bits… if they send you home, then they just have no fashion sense!
My kitties and chickies try to photobomb me all the time, but they are usually making weird faces or are facing their butts to the camera. Mulder is much more photogenic than my kids. 🙂
The dress looks fantastic! I love how you styled it. It looks like a tricky print to work with–bravo! And I love all the Mulder pics too 🙂
Thank you! Once I finally decided on a layout, working with the design wasn’t too bad. But there are a lot of elements in there, for sure! Mulder is definitely my blog photo buddy now–apart from being very photogenic, he genuinely seems to like helping/photobombing, plus that means he gets to play outside for a while. Your beautiful Lucy reminds me of him, since he is part Cattle Dog. 🙂
yes, he totally has the cattle dog face and ears! What a cute guy 🙂
Yassss! Never stop making things in ikat. This is definitely my favourite yet. Love the styling too. Wear those socks to the office. #kneesocksrevolution #fuckthesystem
LOL You know, given what I’ve seen some colleagues wear in the office, I could probably get away with it. But nobody wants to be “that guy” who got sent home for a dresscode violation as an adult! 😀
I dunno! If it means you get to lounge around all day looking fabulous in your frock it might be worth it!
Okay, the dress is adorable, but I think Mulder is on his way to stardom 😉
Love the knee socks and boots too. Makes for a great look.
Hah! I definitely thought of you when I saw how many good Mulder photos we had–I must tell him he has a few admirers online! He’s just too cute and good not to share, even if he will outshine whatever it is I’m actually supposed to be photographing. 🙂 (Proud pet mom alert!) And thank you very much for the kind compliments on my dress!
It turned out great! I love how the pattern works so well with that giant print…and LMAO at “is this b*tch out of ikat yet?” Also, I hadn’t really noticed before, but your legs go on for days! And this stubby pinned gal is a bit jealous. Ha.
Haha I’m glad someone besides me was amused by that header–I just feel like 3 different ikat items in less than 12 months is a little odd for me! And that’s funny you mention the legs, because I’ve always felt that they’re pretty short in proportion to how tall I am overall (I’m workin’ with a lot of torso and neck up in here!); the grass is always greener, huh? 😀 Thanks so much for your comment on the dress, too: it is much appreciated!
Your dress looks fabulous, a stop you in the street and ask were you got it kind of dress. and of course you can say, modestly, “oh, I made it.” They’ll be stunned. I did have to scroll back up and take a second look after reading the fried egg comment. 🙂
Thank you so much! And as excited as I am about what I make, I still struggle with outright announcing to someone that I made it after they’ve complimented me. Maybe someday it will come more easily to me!
Your dress is very cool! I suppose next we get a quilt made out of IKAT scraps! 😉. Just kidding!
Thank you! And that would be one tiny quilt, so you’re all safe from more ikat adventures…this time. 😉
This turned out just wonderful!! I have read this post like 4 times now but it’s too hard to comment from my phone, so I’m finally here on my computer!
I love the off-center placement of the print and the fun cocoon shape…I think I’ll have to take a closer look at this pattern!
BTW, I had no idea you were that tall! Not that it really matters, it’s just interesting to me how hard it is to gauge height from blog pictures!
Aw, thank you! And yes, do check this pattern out: it’s so nice and easy to wear while still being fashionable. Win-Win!
Oh man, I don’t even bother reading my blogroll from my phone–I can’t even imagine trying to post a comment that way!! And re: my height, I think part of the problem is that, like you said, it’s tough to gauge that from photos; apart from that, my husband usually stands on the one level of the deck with me on the other one, so the perspective is always “off,” and I think my bird bones just make me look small overall. 😀
I just ordered this pattern and will definitely reference this post when I come to sew it. Great review and PS, I don’t think any gal can have too much ikat!!
Thank you, Amy! I think you’ll love it–I can’t wait to see what you come up with for this pattern! And I seriously almost put this dress back on with my ikat backpack for a photo, but the weather that day was awful and I never got around to it. THAT might have been too much ikat, LOL!
I can’t imagine how hard that must have been to lay that pattern out so that the diamonds and arrows didn’t (ahem) drag your girls down. It turned out so perfect. I’m with the others. Shake things up a bit at the office and wear that make there. It’s too great to leave at home. I’m going to have to try that pattern too!
Thank you! Hopefully once our spring weather comes back I will have the nerve to wear this outfit to work, though I can’t promise I won’t pack a spare outfit that day! 🙂
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