Sew the Look: The Italian Dress

[@silk_n_vintage_etc2643]

Gorgeous, I have had some Versace linen for over a year and I still haven’t decided on the pattern for my “Italian dress.” Good on you for making it up so quickly.

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@scrapsaturdays]

… LOVE IT 💙💙👌🏼👌🏼‼️.. favourite part of sewing , is recreating a look of a dress you love that fits your perfectly . Period. … and right at the end you said , we sometimes hang on to precious fabric and never enjoy them , which makes me love this dress and video even more, absolutely agree., if I over think it too much and loose the initial vision it’s like the fabric gets unused … again Whitney this desss is gorgeous on you , I would be wearing it everyday until November 1st lol … 💙💙💙🥰🥰🥰‼️

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@joycesmies4309]

I like your advice about sewing, not saving, precious fabric. Yes, there will always be another precious fabric out there calling to us. Love the dress!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yes! Thank you!

[@aldonastraczek]

This dress is stunning !!! It looks fantastic on you. Enjoy wearing it. Precious fabrics are better when sewn and worn than in a cupboard.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Absolutely true!

[@amierikke6225]

So very beautiful! It’s the best “souvenir” ever. What a lovely memory of your trip. ❤

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@conniegonzalez7366]

That is the most beautiful dress, great fabric purchase with memories attached. I love it so much❤ it’s perfect for you.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@karynbray1004]

I have been eyeballing that exact linen style fabric for sometime now. Dress is beautiful!

[@TomKatStitchery]

It was lovely to work with. Thank you so much.

[@cecilehoare3053]

Love this one! You just light up when you have it on and when you talk about it! What a great way to enjoy the memories of your Italy trip!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you ❤️❤️❤️

[@teresastevens2084]

Whitney, I think this ‘sew the look’ make is your best yet! It was if both the fabric and the pattern were made for you and I’m so glad you made it up now when you can wear it on these oh so hot, hot, hot days! And, just think, every time you wear it, you’ll have all those wonderful memories of Italy in your mind! 💕 👗 🇮🇹

[@TomKatStitchery]

That's the plan- wear and remember!

[@JulieH1958]

The finished dress takes my breath away. It looks gorgeous on you. The delight in your face as you spoke about it is just beautiful. Enjoy!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@pollymaxwell5585]

I think you did pick the perfect pattern for this fabric, just beautiful.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@kalaysia77]

Such beautiful fabric...... and you made it perfectly for D and G look. 🎉

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yes! Thank you!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@bernadetteobrien9296]

The dress looks wonderful! What great fabric and it looks beautiful on you.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@blairannewilliams3599]

The lining hack is brilliant! Thank you!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@lynngates1662]

Such a lovely remembrance of your trip and all the events! Gotta say, it's Saturday a.m. and the second you mentioned $5.00 Friday I gasped - that's usually the first thing I check on Friday and I spaced it. I've already got the Glissando 😍 and anxious to try it out. Take it easy in your temporary sauna that is Mother Nature. We got up to 68 yesterday, but expecting a couple more 90 + days this summer. Happy Sewing!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yes! Thank you!

[@janeh2010]

we had the same weather here and that would have been the perfect dress to wear! Beautiful!

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@ansabasson219]

This is a gorgeous dress. Enjoy wearing it.

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@ina7747]

I love the dress; it's such a happy fabric!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@katieb1836]

Beautiful dress, Whitney! I completely agree with the idea of rushing the seasons, we still have a third of summer left, well at least where I live in Arkansas it will stay very hot until the official September 21st end of summer. I also wanted to say thanks for the encouragement to use the precious fabrics. I have been thinking the exact same thing as I have taken the week off to minimize and declutter my house. I am astounded at the amount of fabric I have. I just need to start using it and not holding off. Thank you!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Do it!

[@anitraanderson931]

What a beautiful dress! Looks like it will be comfortable to wear and also a lot of fun! Enjoy!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@TodayinJensSewingRoom]

What is it about a tiered, dancey dress? That linen is stunning. So gorgeous.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It's a grown up twirly dress! Thank you!

[@donnastiles2518]

The dress is beautiful. The linen is light and flowy. What a great memory from your trip.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@yvettefeyjoo-booth2670]

Whitney this dress looks fantastic on you. You did a fantastic job with the fabric you purchased in Italy! I watched your video when you returned and displayed the fabrics you bought. ❤

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@salliecook7528]

Love, love, love your dress!!!! It is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@denisem9407]

Beautiful dress and that fabric is awesome. It looks cool and breezy and I'll bet you'll be wearing it well into fall.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Absolutely!

[@sewonsister]

Yay! I love it!

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@patsy5487]

Absolutely gorgeous dress Whitney! Brilliant work. The top quality of the fabric is so obvious with that lovely swishy effect of the full skirt. Maybe you could use the remnants for a matching clutch purse? Sew Over It have just issued a pattern for a pretty one called the Bow Bag. You’ve given me the confidence and determination to cut into My Precious Italian Fabric which I bought in Como a few years ago and am too nervous to use in case I ruin it. But you are correct - what good is that fabric sitting on a shelf when I could be wearing it now!😀

[@TomKatStitchery]

That's a super cute clutch bag! Thank you!

[@ShirleyJarrett]

So lovely & looks great on you! 🥰

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@rosepedalable]

Beautiful dress and fabric, you did a great job recreating it!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@Escape10mom]

Gorgeous dress! Enjoy it!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@ccrss4970]

Thank you for sharing, it's a beautiful dress!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you too!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@cherylsale4873]

Gorgeous dress Whitney. ❤

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you! 😊

[@ZeldaSews]

Whitney, That is a beautiful dress.😊

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@sandrawhite3596]

You look really pretty in the dress, and I'm glad it makes you happy to look at and wear.😊

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you! 😊

[@gloriaallender1886]

Your dress is beautiful!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!!

[@brenholmes4894]

Your dress is beautiful and so exactly 'you'. I am still sewing summer dresses and tops, but I'm thinking about Autumn, in that I've been buying suitable fabrics :-) One must be prepared

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@teresaholland1943]

How BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@brookecamarata2673]

I giggle because as a Texan we have had temperatures in the southeast here of 115 Fahrenheit almost all week!! Then again we would never know what to do during times of cold either. Beautiful dress!

[@TomKatStitchery]

😂😂😂

[@dianemontavon5670]

That fabric is gorgeous. The make is lovely.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@dianeroome972]

Could you make a little bolero or top that ties in the front with the extra half meter left over? I'd use up every inch of that beautiful fabric!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Great suggestion!

[@Northandsouthsewing]

So beautiful!!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@Smackbow]

You look amazing the dress is beautiful you should wear it every chance you get.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you, I will

[@sheilasztanyo3478]

My favorite take away is "Not" to sit on precious fabric! I'm done that for at least 30 years, moved it all over the country and now I have no interest in sewing it. You are very industrious and give me inspiration. Thank You.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Love that!

[@Sheryl0705]

Gorgeous fabric!! Love your make! Going to look for your Glissando hack now, as I was anticipating the same issue with them. Looks like a great pattern, tho!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank yo!

[@evalucilledixon3879]

I am so impressed! I watched for this garment by Whitney. It looks marvelous on you! Such as this is such an inspiration. Beautiful.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@nozztozz]

Breathtaking! Don’t feel one bit guilty about how much the fabric cost. It’s worth every euro. You’ll wear it for years to come

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@southerncrossstitches]

Absolutely beautiful 💗🪡💗

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!!

[@rebeccaw9656]

Taking to heart your comment about cutting into our precious fabrics now❤️, and I suppose something will always come up next year or next season to keep pushing them back, and you’re right, there will be new precious fabrics each year😂. My trick this year has been to make the desired pattern in a less precious fabric first to perfect the fit and practice the skill; or like you did, make a toile of the bodice.

[@TomKatStitchery]

You can do it!

[@joannelabryn7531]

BEAUTIFUL!!👌

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@prosie1968]

Whitney, I love this dress on you! Could you track thru the knot to keep the straps tied?

[@TomKatStitchery]

Great idea!

[@NinaKeilin]

Wow love this dress on you.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@cindym4946]

Beautiful!

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@Lighthouse1852]

Fantastic interpretation of your inspiration dress! Thank you for sharing it. I'm also glad you mentioned your lining method. I've been looking for a source of high quality cotton lawn to stock as lining and interlining. Do you have a recommended source or brand?

[@TomKatStitchery]

I grabbed this cotton lawn from Minerva: www.minerva.com/mp?search=1176498.

[@lindamcmahon9358]

I love this dress. Very close to the inspiration photo. I checked Marcy tilton’s online fabric store to see if she had any linen with this same look so I could share here. The closest I could find was something that she calls “street smart linen woven” which is scenes from Paris.I’m wondering if the colors are all wrong though. What is the most important thing to match from the inspiration photo? The color? Your match is spot on.

[@lindamcmahon9358]

Btw which came first? The fabric or the inspiration photo?

[@TomKatStitchery]

The fabric!

[@millysews5646]

Beautiful.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@barbarawarner4645]

$25 a yard bias binding? I’d use that remnant for a bodice front.🤣. Love the dress. Beautiful and timeless. It screams “vacation”!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@WendyGouldin]

Hi! Love the dress - thanks for the hint in your sew the look video about the Burda pattern - I went ahead and bought that. I was wondering whether you might just sew across the ties and then tie them - just an idea. But what I REALLY wanted to ask is did you use the burrito method on the bodice, or did you understitch it? If you used the burrito method did you make the lining slightly smaller? AND how do you finish the bottom of a bodice where it meets the skirt? It looks so neat and Ive been looking for ways to do that. Thanks so much for all your insight! Sally (@itsnevertoolatetocrrate - NOT Wendy Gouldin my birth name that has insinuated it's way into YT!) Oh and it's sweltering in Italy right now too - weather should break tomorrow!!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

When I put the bodice together, I basted the straps right side together with the bodice front and back, then I placed the lining on top (right sides together) and sewed from the side seam around the armhole, across the strap, the neckline, across the other strap and then to then other side seam. I clipped into the seam allowance and then understitched the neckline and armholes and much as I could. I did the same for the back. I then put the front and back right sides together at the side seam, pulled the lining up so it was also right sides together at the side seam and sewed those together in one seam. This finished off the bodice really nicely and it open at the waist seam. I then attache the skirt to the outside bodice layer (keeping lining out of the way. Finally, I pressed the lining under around the waist seam and top stitched it into place. Does that help?

[@WendyGouldin]

@@TomKatStitchery Absolutely yes! Thanks so much for sharing your experience.

[@soulaplaitis6973]

That dress is just beautiful. Wear it in good health.

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@ginahayes6169]

Unfortunately the site for the fabric isn’t working, “page not found”!

[@TomKatStitchery]

They must have sold out. But they have so many other pretty fabrics

[@victoriahannah1633]

I love all the dresses you make but this one is definitely number one. It looks great and you look great in it. Didn’t you just enjoy some of our real feel 112 degrees with high humidity.? I’ve heard people down here in Virginia say about the heat” I’ll be so glad when Satan gets off my front porch.”

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@sandy_sews]

As you can put the dress on over your head, why don’t you put a couple of stitches through the bows to hold them in place? Then you won’t have to worry about them coming undone and you can always pull them out if you need to get it undone.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Great tip!

[@Marina-ct6tv]

The dress is very pretty and looks super fresh and comfortable! However I would associate Italian style with complex clean lines and most all of edited. Italian fit is usually a "fit + loose" combo. Fit + fit is seen at too revealing, loose + loose as too baggy. The same goes for matching of pattern and fabric. It is a complicate matter to achieve a balance between loose/tight, loud fantasy/detailled pattern design and of course, have one clear protagonist, maybe a detail in the part you want to accentuate.

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@kandacek63]

Bet you’re glad you’re not currently in Missouri. :😂 101 here in Omaha for the past three days and that doesn’t include the feels like.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Sounds like a great day to stay inside and sew!

[@helenwood3199]

The pattern is a fabric hog. The dress must cost a mint at $60/ yard! It's pretty. Wear it to threads.

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️