Going Global, so to speak...

This is it--the week we leave for our 2-year expat adventure in Tokyo!  We depart on Friday, so this week is full of packing, sorting, and dumping all kinds of stuff.  Sewing isn't really on the agenda, so luckily I finished this dress a couple of weeks ago but haven't posted it yet.

Tokyo summers get really hot and humid, so I knew I wanted to use this breezy fabric to make a blousy casual sundress (with pockets, of course) that I could wear once we moved.  This week is a"Going Global" theme over at Project Sewn, the women's online sewing contest I have participated in before, so I thought I could make this dress work, if I could just get some photos and squeeze in a blog post before we depart!  Bonus points for a fabric that makes me think of an Indonesian Ikat, although this print from Joann's is certainly not authentically global.

So here it is--a dress I made to wear when I "go global!"

I loved the border on the fabric, so I used it for the bottom of the skirt, and turned the fabric the other way to repeat the effect at the shoulders.

I drafted the pattern based on a dress I own, and wanted to try it out before I make it again with some lovely fabric I bought at Britex Fabrics in San Francisco last year.  I love the way the pattern came out--flattering and comfortable, and can be dressed up or down based on fabric choice!  This "ikat" is a nice light drapey rayon blend, and the stuff I bought at Britex is a thickish printed chiffon (so I'll need to make a slip/lining for it) that will look dressier.

You can vote for my global dress here starting this Friday, if you are so inclined!