Tessutti Pia
This has been a long time in the making. I first muslined the Tessuti Pia last year and realised to my horror that the XL bust size was 101cm NOT 110 cm, which is what I mistakenly saw it as. Now my bust measures 116cm so my presumed need for an extra 6cm turned into an extra 15cm (at least). So the whole idea lost its allure.
But then I was going to visit my family in Australia and somehow the idea of a Pia dress to travel in got lodged in my brain and would not be ignored. So I used this fabulous double gauze
and created this
But first I had to make a few on the fly adjustments. Somehow in my grading up and adding an FBA I ended up with significant gaping at the front armscythe. My solution was to raise the front at the shoulder and to take it in at the underarm side seam. This has fixed the gaping but has shortened it in the front and raised the neckline. I have adjusted the pattern now so it should be fine next time. I am really pleased with the back. Yeah, I know I don’t really know why either.
So how did it go as a travel dress? It was perfect. Completely comfortable for the entire 12 hour trip. It was 42 degrees when I left home but I was cool in this and then when I left (I wore it on both flights) it was about 20 degrees and I was still fine. I just took a (fake) pashmina to throw around my shoulders in case the plane got cold. And the double gauze was wrinkled but not nearly as much as I had thought and also it wrinkles in a it’s-meant-to-do-that kind of way. So it still looked good after two flights and an hour long bus trip.
I will make another one. But I’m not sure that it will be in this fabric after all
I still really love this but am thinking that perhaps a simpler pattern would let the fabric really shine. I am really drawn to the Tessutti Sophie. Check these out by Lara and Anna and Barbara – aren’t they fabulous? But again the sizing will be a problem. The largest bust measurement for the Sophie is 106cm, which is better than 101cm, but still a significant adjustment. I have spent considerable time looking but haven’t found a similar silhouette anywhere else.
Can you suggest a similar pattern? Or have you graded the Sophie? I’d love to hear from you.
Great job on the fit. Looks wonderful.
Thank you. The fit is a bit dodgy on this one but it works so I am fairly pleased.
Any of the woven tee patterns could be used – just adjust the neckline & armholes to suit. I’m onto to my 5th version of the Grainline Scout tee – long sleeved, short sleeved, collars, keyhole neckline & round neckline.
Your Pia dress is terrific. Looks beautiful and comfortable at the same time.
Thanks very much. I am quite pleased with the Pia. And that is a great suggestion re a woven tee pattern – unfortunately the Scout is too small as well- but I may already have something else so thanks a lot for that.