This may be my most favorite recent project. It started with the fabric, which I bought from my favorite online fabric store, Fabric Mart Fabrics, awhile ago. It is rayon challis, and as soon as I saw the print, I knew I had to have it. When it arrived, I realized that the print included peacocks, which I had not noticed before I bought it, but made it even better.
![](http://kirimade.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/00100lPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20190601194931059_COVER-768x1024.jpg)
When I bought the fabric, I did not have a specific plan for it. I eventually settled on Burdastyle 11-2016-122 , which I used previously to make this top. For the top, I shortened the bodice, and I felt like I shortened it slightly too much. I corrected it for the dress. I left the shortening of the sleeves as I felt it made them more wearable.
![](http://kirimade.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/00100lPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20190601195255777_COVER-1.jpg)
![](http://kirimade.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/00100lPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20190601195505056_COVER-768x1024.jpg)
When cutting, I tried to strategically position the peacocks and also to match up the print across the back seam. I learned the the print was inconsistent because the repeats did not match up precisely. However, I think I was still able to match enough on the back that it looks good. I did not notice the doubling of the print on the bodice and the arm until looking at pictures, but now that I’ve seen it, it will bug me.
![](http://kirimade.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_20190512_155807-768x1024.jpg)
![](http://kirimade.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/splendidspring1-656x1024.jpg)
![](http://kirimade.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/00100lPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20190601192603678_COVER-768x1024.jpg)
Once it was cut, the sewing was pretty easy. The insides seams are mostly just serged. I finished the sleeves with a serged hem and the skirt with a hand-rolled hem. (See here for a discussion of different types of rolled hems.)
![](http://kirimade.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_20190512_155852.jpg)
![](http://kirimade.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_20190512_155814-1-768x1024.jpg)
![](http://kirimade.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_20190601_194839-768x1024.jpg)
The white parts of the rayon are a bit translucent, so I wore a bias-cut slip that I made awhile ago underneath. Other than that, I think this dress is pretty much perfect. It is so fun and easy to wear, and the print just makes me happy! I also succeeded at the little technical things, like the print matching and matching the seams across the side seams and zipper. Most people probably don’t notice, but they bring me a little bit of extra happiness.
![](http://kirimade.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/00100lPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20190601223024009_COVER.jpg)