Sew House 7 - Bridgetown Backless Dress

As you may already know, I am participating in the 2017- Sew My Style Challenge. This challenge is to bring awareness to the Slow Fashion movement, and to showcase to new sewists that sewing your own wardrobe is possible.  The projects listed for 2017 are: 
January- Sew House 7 Toaster Sweater 2
​February - Named Clothing Saunio Cardigan
March- Megan Nielsen Virginia Leggings
April- Sew House 7 Bridgetown Dress
May- Califaye Collection Pocket Skirt
June- Megan Nielsen Briar Tee and Sweater
July- Cali Faye Collection Valley Blouse
August- Megan Nielsen Darling Ranges Dress
September- Named Clothing Yona Wrap Coat
October- Cali Faye Hampshire Trouser
November- By Hand London Anna Dress
December- Named Clothing AW17 New Collection (TBC)

The Bridgetown Backless was such a quick sew and has several different length variations, that I will definitely be making more then one!
I wanted a dress that I had dyed for the summer so I started with a plain white cotton. I tried to find something that had a good drape, but my options were limited since I needed something that would take the dye. This dress works best with a fabric that will drape nicely like a rayon challis, silk charmeuse, rayon jersey or cotton jersey. I would love to make it again in a sand washed silk.  

I started prepping my fabric by binding it in a shibori style, and putting it in a piping hot Navy Blue Rit Dye bath. I soaked it for 30 minute, let it dry overnight, and washed it out in a washing machine. The colors came out a little dull- I think had I prewashed the fabric and put it into the dye bath wet, it may have taken the dye better. However, I did end up loving the faded look of the fabric.

When sewing the dress my chest and hips were two different sizes. I copied the pattern for size 6 skirt, and size 2 bodice. To have them match up evenly, I curved the top 4" of the skirt from size 6 to 2. 

I find that this fabric doesn't have the best drape for this dress. The sleeves stick up a bit and the back doesn't drape as I've seen in other photos. For this version I will remove the sleeves, then remake it in a sand washed silk.
I will also lower the neck a half inch in the front, and add side pockets.