Sew Over It Zoe Dress with The Ultimate Trousers

 I was gifted this fabric from minerva and I knew instantly what I wanted to make with it.

Update.

I love these pants so much that I have recently made three more pairs.  Once you get the fit right these pants can be made in a flash.

If you have never made pants before do try these. Choose a heavy fabric with some stretch and you will be amazed.

The Sew Over It Zoe dress and Ultimate Trouser

The fabric is beautiful,  It is a Blue and Gold woven jacquard and the best thing is that it is reversible  Stretch Woven Jacquard

It is not heavy, more a medium weight and it has a very good drape

The pattern I used for the trousers is Sew over it Ultimate trouser

And the tunic top is The Zoe Dress Both are available  from Minerva by clicking on the links 

I like Sew Over It patterns because they fit me very well and they lend themselves to adaptation 

I made the trousers according to the pattern but I made a few changes to the top.

Firstly I used an exposed back zipper , choosing zips on the roll, which make perfect sense to me as you just cut the length needed and add a zipper pull. And yes, its that easy.

To make sure that my zip stayed put when sewing it in I both pinned and tacked it in place. This way the zip doesn't move when it is being sewn.

The ends of the zipper teeth are easily removed by unpicking the stitching which holds them onto the tape and snipping the (plastic) teeth off. Then simply overcast the top of the tape to stop the slider from coming off.

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I enjoy using exposed zips. They are not difficult to insert , don't forget to use some iron on seam interfacing at the back where the seam ends and the zipper insertion begins

I wanted to alter the neckline and so I cut this roll neck collar using the paler side of the fabric, Blue on Gold,as a contrast. Simply measure the neckline and cut a length of fabric to fit plus seam allowances. Stitch the edges at the back. Turn right sides out and press. Then stich it to the dress on the inside , overlock neatly,  turn to the front and press.

I do feel that this dress has a distinct 1960s vibe and it would look superb sleeveless.

I also added a cuff to the sleeves having the contrast side showing 

I wanted a pair of garments which would earn their keep and which could be worn separately as well as together 

I do like the trouser with a jumper which looks smart

Although a little short for me the tunic can also be worn with leggings or thick tights and a pair of boots

I also made one or two accessories.  The first being a headband or neck tie which is just a length of the fabric stitched together with 

Both front and reverse sides of the fabric showing 

It makes a very cute hair tie for bad hair days and the photograph of the pants and jumper shows it being used as a neck tie.

This is the headband / neck tie and with it a pair of earrings which are made very simply by covering self-cover buttons with fabric and using superglue to attach earing posts to the centre of the back.

I used decoupage finish to protect the fabric and left them overnight to dry.

My next blog post will be on accessories so you will get to see how to make various different items.

I do love this outfit,  don't you?

Here is another winning combination, , different fabrics, same patterns

There are lots of options to make this dress too, I changed the neckline and made it in stretch Jersey,  no zip required!

For this one, my favourite I simply added a roll neck , simply made by measuring the neckline and making a circle of fabric to stitch on. Ask me if you want to know more 

This is so warm and practical . Love it 

This dress looks the same as the last picture, but......

The cowl neckline is false, so I have a choice!

Best wishes 

Angela 

Sewangelicthreads 

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