Named Kielo Dress

I’ve been commenting and chatting to people about the Named Kielo Dress I made for several months now, so I figured it was time to bite the bullet and actually blog the darn thing! This story, I believe, began back in November, when Mads suggested I try Named Patterns. She rightly assumed I would enjoy their style and draft, and I have been especially pleased with the garments I’ve made from their line, the Sointu Sleeve Tee and the Inari Tee Dress. I am equally happy with the Kielo Dress!

Fab shoes courtesy of our new Cotton On superstore (yeh, we’re that fancy now). Necklace from op shop.

As with the Inari Dress, I was apprehensive that the Kielo may not suit my figure. My stomach is fairly prominent, and there was a real possibility that the wrap would act like a giant arrow to my tum, which is not quite the look I’m going for. I was also a bit suss on how that narrow skirt would fit me, but after seeing how good it looked on bloggers with similar body types to mine, I was ready to give it a crack.

This was sewn with minimal alterations. One I made after constructing the dress – I liked the coverage of the neck and shoulders and didn’t want to narrow that area by hemming as the pattern dictates, so I applied a bias facing, starting at the seam allowance at the underarms, then going to 6mm allowance throughout. For the bias tape to lie flat, the seam allowance at the underarm join needed to be clipped. I’ve included photos of each stage so you can see how I achieved this.

I should add that I did not lengthen the skirt at all, and as you can see, it hits my ankles. I am 178cm tall, so if you are any shorter, you might want to check on that length.

I’m pleased as punch with the result (as evinced by my photo spam)! The style is so interesting, and the large-scale feather print really suits the drama. I’m also happy in my decision to sew this using a stretch woven than a knit, as I feel the fabric adds needed structure to a garment that might otherwise drape and cling. (The fabric is a cotton/spandex sateen from that glorious $2/m Spotlight haul!) It is far more flattering that I could have hoped.

No stomach drag lines, aw yeh.

Of course, despite how much I ruddy love this dress, I can’t wear it right now. Why? That narrow skirt! Even before my recent relapse, I couldn’t wear maxi skirts, as I did not have the bodily strength to walk against them. Why I thought a pegged maxi would be suitable is beyond me. Even with opening the CB vent an extra 10cm, I can barely take a step (yes, photos were a challenge!). I’ll just put this in the wardrobe in the section of clothes to wear when I’m better.

The deets:
Pattern: Named Kielo Wrap Dress
Pattern details: Available sizes 32-46 as a printed or PDF pattern. My PDF comes with two sizes per file, but they may have updated as website states PDF is layered and with A4 and copy shop options.
Fabric: 4m x 122cm printed cotton/spandex sateen in feather, from Spotlight
Other materials: Vilene bias tape to stabilise shoulders. Lightweight fusible interfacing strips to stabilise neck and armholes.
Mods: Size 42 shoulders and bust to size 44 waist and hips, with a 1/2″ forward shoulder adjustment. Narrow hem on pattern replaced with bias facing for neck and armholes. Raised CB vent 10cm.