Summer Floral Rumi Tank Dress
It has been some time since I've shared a finished project! And it certainly has been awhile since I finished something. I've actually been doing a lot of sewing, but a lot of projects haven't worked out. Since I've had a few fails, I needed something easy, quick and "fail proof".
If there's one thing I've been wanting in my wardrobe for years it's been simple "throw on and go" dresses in summer. I thought I found it a few years ago in the Ebony Dress from Closet Case Patterns - and while I love this pattern, it isn't as perfect as a dress for me (the top fits well but the dress is a little too flowy). I've had my eye on the Rumi Tank Dress from Christine Haynes for a year! I actually found it while searching for a replacement for my favorite summer dress that got a huge stain on. This pattern features a fitted tent silhouette, with a racer back and a separate hem band.
I took a trip to the new Fab Scrap store in Manhattan last month with the intention of finding fabric to make the Rumi Tank Dress and scored this awesome bright pink floral print! Typically pink is not my color - but it's been growing on me over the years. I snagged two yards of it and went to work on my Rumi.
Rumi sizing made me a little nervous. I'm used to sewing a bigger size in commercial sewing patterns (I can range between a 6-8) but in indie patterns I usually cut a 0 or 2. I cut a size 6 in Rumi. Mostly because my fabric didn't have as much stretch, but any smaller and the top would have been fairly tight. The only adjustment I made was in the dress length. To make it a little more petite friendly, I cut 2" off the dress, but left the hem band the same length. This made it perfectly above the knee!
Construction of this dress is quick - the longest step was attaching the neck and arm bindings! At first I thought the neckline would come too low, but it's actually flattering where it falls. If you do want a higher neckline, that isn't a hard adjustment to make.
This fabric is beautiful. I don't have an exact content, but it's similar to a stretch cotton, with a little more weight. I had enough fabric for the hem but it would have more seam lines. I had some fabric from my Fab Scrap Yard Pack I bought awhile back, and it perfectly matched the dress!
I really love this pattern, and am excited to make more versions. I love that I can throw on a sports bra, sandals and this dress and look put together. I'm also looking forward to making some tank versions. Now that I know it's a good fit, it'll be easy to make a few for casual wear and a few for running! And I'm pretty happy to cross another make off my Make Nine List!
Shop Fab Scrap HERE
Shop Rumi Tank HERE