Um, by reversible I don’t mind inside out but back to front! That makes sense, right?
I love the slip dress look. It’s been around for a little while but I’d never actually gotten round to making one! I’d picked up one from H&M a couple of months back (it was on sale for the bargain price of £5!) and since I quite liked the fit of it, I thought I’d use it as a template for future versions!
So this is the original dress –
It’s a very simple jersey dress, same shape on the front and back with slightly different necklines.
I traced off a pattern for the dress by folding it in half length wise and laying it out on paper. I copied over the necklines for the front and back as well as a guide though I planned to make some changes to these. I also remembered to add on seam allowances!
The front of the dress I altered to make a shallow V rather than the scooped neck it came with. The back I changed to a deep V. I planned on adding a lace panel insert here.
I used these pattern pieces to create facings to finish the neckline.
So this is a super simple dress to make. Really just a hand full of seams. I used a lovely black stretch velvet for it and cut it against the nap so it looks super luxurious. The only tricky part was attaching the lace! I used some black lace I had laying about from a project a while back. It’s really pretty – it has a lovely repeating pattern but I hadn’t realised it was slightly off centre so the pattern on my lace panel looks a bit wonky! It was also a bit flimsy… I’m starting to think I’ll be better off just replacing that bit!
I attached the lace first then the side seams, and then the facing. For the straps I used some black velvet rouleau loop that came from the prize pack Simplicity sent me (from the Simplicity Sewing Challenge). It’s like they knew what I would be making!
So I realised after I’d finished it that it could easily be worn both ways!
Check it out!
Two dresses for one!
I love styling these kind of slip dresses over long or short sleeved t-shirts. It makes the dress much more suitable for daywear! (Otherwise it kinda looks like a nightgown!). All in all, not bad for a couple of hours of work!
I managed to not use too much of the 2m of black velvet I bought for this dress. I’ve got enough left for either a crop top or maybe a Nettie bodysuit? I can’t decide what to make!
Thoughts?
22 Comments
Looks great! A Tilly Agnes would be ideal underneath at this time of year.
I’d go for a Nettie body suit but perhaps that’s just me!
Ooo, good ideas! I have some Netties and an Agnes floating about somewhere. I might try that out!
The lace detail is so beautiful. It looks cute.
Thanks! 😀
Looks gorgeous! Love the lace panel x
Thanks! 🙂
Looks brilliant. I really like it styled with the t-shirt.
Thanks! 🙂
Very nice! I think when a garment can be worn different ways it’s called “convertible” as opposed to “reversible” which means it can be worn inside out.
That makes sense! I knew reversible wasn’t quite right but I couldn’t think of another word! Lol.
This looks great, the lace panel adds a lovely delicate detail- love how it looks over a tshirt- supercute
Thank you! 🙂
A slip is in my queue for quite a while as well now… Yours is so lovely – especially with the lace detail! (I would make a bodysuit)
Thanks! 🙂
Gorgeous slip dress, loving the velve mixed with the lace, classic combo. I’ve been thinking of buying the Nettie bodysuit and like the thought of a velvet one
Super cute! I never owned a slip dress (can you believe that). I really love this one you’ve created. It looks very pretty on you and I think your lace is stunning!
Thanks! Yeah, slip dresses really went out of fashion at one point! Glad to see they’re back now though. They’re such a simple classic shape!
I think the slip/dress will be gorgeous and vampy if nothing is wore inside. You can so carry that off! Maybe even add leather jacket, texture galore! I love how you pair it with short boots! (Hopefully my comment shows!)
It came up! Thanks! Ooo, I can see it looking really fab with a leather jacket on top!
*worn
Adorable! And you can spend a lot more than £5 on a pattern!
Very true!