Monday, April 24, 2017

Lodo Dress + Obi Belt

Since the new Lodo Dress by True Bias came out I've been a little bit obsessed. The design is so simple, and so well detailed, allowing lots of room for the sewist to push, and pull the silhouette. Both the arm openings and the neck are faced with woven fabric, and the body is a structured knit (fabric links are affiliates). The body has a cocoon shape that tapers toward the hem. 

The Lodo pattern is written for someone 5'5" with a C cup. I'm 5'5.5" with a B cup. I think the bust difference makes this version a bit too long on me. I should have (and did in a later version) shortened the dress a bit in the middle for the hips to fall in the right place, and the hem to be a bit higher. I didn't have time to alter this one before spring break, but the fabric and pattern merit more tinkering. 
In the mean time, I've been wearing it with an Obi belt I made with Cotton & Steel linen blend on one side and black linen on the other. This was meant to be a muslin for future more subdued Obi belts, but I've been wearing this one a lot. I like the look and versatility of wearing a dress loose or belted (more on that later), and this print goes with absolutely everything I own (including some recovered kitchen chairs!). I guess I was drawn to it for a reason.

The dress fabric is a lovely Telio ponte knit from Fabric.com. It has a nice body and drape, and works well with this style. I want one in every color, and am considering this bold blue for a short Lodo. I'm also loving Jenn's stripes, and Adriana's grid version.
Kelli has a good instinct for designing clothes that are easy to wear. She describes the Lodo as an elevated t-shirt, and it absolutely is. Comfortable, wearable and easy to dress up or down. This simple silhouette has sparked a chain reaction of experimentation around maximum garment versatility. 

Notes:
Dress Pattern: Lodo Dress from True Bias
Dress Fabric: Telio Ponte Leggero Knit from Fabric.com
Belt Pattern: Self Drafted
Balt Fabric: Cotton & Steel Les Fleurs Folk Birds Black Cotton/Linen Canvas from Fabric.com

8 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Sarah! The belt makes me feel like I have two different outfits. :)

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  2. I love it. The obi works really nicely with it. I am considering this pattern but not sure how it will work with my very-much-larger-than-C-cups, even with necessary adjustments. Holding out to see it on some similarly busty ladies! Though it is just the shape I was envisioning for a beach cover-up this summer.

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    1. Thanks Masha! The best part about the internet and sewing is scoping out what others with similar body types have made. It's so helpful for alterations. I made a short version in a wild (for me:) print for the beach.

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    2. Masha, I'm a 34H (40" full bust), and I made Lodo in a size 12. I love the fit! I'm already planning to make more! I think the bust fit is fairly forgiving since there aren't set-in sleeves.

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  3. The Lodo looks fabulous with that belt!! Must make obi belt...

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Meg. The belt works with just about everything, I've made 3!

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