The inspiration for Spillgate started on a trip to Hawaii back in March. I loved all the lightweight, flowy and perfect-for-the-beach….or not-the-beach dresses. I bought a couple of sarongs as souvenirs for my daughters but decided then and there that I would draft a woven fabric dress that I could make with them.
Spillgate is a simplistic design, and that’s kind of what I like about it; super casual. I gave it the option to be a top, knee length dress (pieced or not) or a midi length dress (with a couple piecing options).
In keeping with the casual and flowy feel, the added skirt tiers on the dress version feature just a slight gather. This means you get fullness but not a ruffled skirt look.
The shoulder straps are narrow pieces of binding that reach to the elastic waist back and feed through simple loops before tying together. I really like how the open back with long draping ties has a relaxed feel to it.
Let’s talk bias binding (which is what this pattern uses for the neckline and arm straps). The pattern includes cut chart info. and instructions to make your own, but there’s also the option to just purchase store-bought which comes in a variety of colours and sizes. Make sure you get the correct width!
Handmade PROS:
- Versatility – your options are only limited by the (appropriate type of) fabric in your stash!
- The ability to perfectly match your main fabric if desired.
- The procedure itself is easy to do and there are tools that make it even easier.
Handmade CONS:
- Time consuming – while the steps are simple, it does take some time to cut, press, then press a different way, then press again.
- Slippery/Drapey Fabrics – some fabrics can be tricky to work with and may stretch more than wanted along the bias causing the binding to narrow. Extra care and patience are required.
My older daughter would not be comfortable wearing this without a bra but the scooped back is too low to cover one. I told her that was okay because part of my vision for this dress was as a swim cover/beach dress. She really liked that idea!
I encouraged testers to suggest other layering options if they had any and here’s what a few came up with: (I really like all these looks too!)
And there you have it! Some great length/style options perfect for summer outfits. I look forward to seeing your version and hope you’ll share with us in our group on FB: Sofiona Sewing Group or on Instagram (tag @sofionadesigns).
ps – Do you know where I got the name? There are multiple hydro-electric dams really close to where we live. When they need to release excess water to continue it’s flow down the river they open gates in the dam referred to as “Spill Gates”. It can be an incredibly beautiful but also powerful and a little bit scary thing to see up close. The way the water rushes and flows through the spill gate has always made me think it would be a good name for a flowing dress pattern!
I am Mami de Sofiona 