The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festivity of the Chinese. It is a day families gather to admire the moon, eat mooncakes and drink tea. Children also get to carry candle lit lanterns in the park in the evening. I enjoyed the festivity as a kid but have not celebrated the festival since becoming a parent. My prince’s school is organizing a celebration this Friday with a recital of chinese poetry and performances by the kids, followed by a tasting of yummy festival dishes and a stroll round the park with lanterns! I think I’m more excited than the kids! So excited that I made a dress to wear to the event!
I called it the ‘Reflection of the Moon’ frock as this border print fabric reminded me of the moon’s reflection in water.
The sewing pattern is a vintage reprint. Butterick 5209 retro ’47. I chose to sew the version with sleeves.
When I was checking through the pattern, I noticed that the skirt pattern creates a centre seam at the front of the skirt so I decided to make my own pleated skirt. I used the 2m long fabric (I cut away the top portion with border print to be used for the bodice), folded and stitched pleats at the top. As the selvage with fringe was at the bottom, I left them as such and didn’t need to sew the hem. I love the look of the fringe at the bottom of the skirt. I might try the original skirt pattern the next time if I can find fabric with the right width and place the pattern on fold.
Given the warm weather here, I didn’t make a lining. The fabric used is a cotton santeen fabric with a slight stretch. I inserted an invisible zipper. However, I didn’t like the idea of the zipper ending at the bottom of the sleeves so I sewed around 2″ down from the sleeve before stitching in the zipper.
If you are planning to sew this dress, please DO NOT use a contrast fabric for the midriff band. The design of this dress is such that the band’s seams do not meet at the sides. See photo here.
I actually used a solid black fabric for the band but unpicked the pieces completely after my discovery. I am still not completly happy with how the sides look but the print fabric does look better than a solid color band that does not meet at the side seams. *sigh*. Good thing I had enough fabric for the additional pieces. Lessons learnt. I do think however that a contrasting fabric for the entire top and another fabric for the skirt could work wonderfully.
Did the dress resemble the pattern cover image? For most part, I think it does except for the waist and the skirt since I modified that completely. I think I need a 23″ waist to look like the image. LOL!
Nonetheless, other than the side view, I do love the front and back views of this dress, made more interesting with a border print fabric.
very interesting fabric prints. the dress is beautiful on you!
happy early mid autumn!
Thank you Fiona, happy mid autumn to you & your family too:)
Happy mid-Autumn. Have an extra mooncake on my behalf 🙂
What a beautiful dress! I think Reflections of the Moon is perfect name for this. Enjoy your celebration.
I think it is spectacular, especially the idea behind the fabric. PERFECTION!
that is just lovely and the material design makes it even more stunning.
Ooh, that fabric is so pretty! And the name is perfect. I like the details of the curved line in the back, too.
That fabric is great, you look wonderful in it.
Mmmm mooncakes. Beautiful dress!
this is gorgeous, and what a poetic name ! it looks very good on you !
What a nice dress, this fabric is very beautiful and the project you chose for it works very well! May I ask where in Singapore you found this fabric?
This is very lovely! Quite a different look from other versions of this pattern that I have seen.
i love the use of pattern here; this is very different look from the other variations of this pattern that i’ve noticed. nice job! thanks for sharing 🙂
This turned out beautifully. You have a great eye for fabric.
Thanks Cecili, if I remembered correctly, I bought this fabric from Spotlight.
Thank you everyone. I’m happy you like the fabric & dress especially when the side view is not perfect:) Thank you so much for your kind words!
@Becky, the curve of the back is my fave part of the dress!
@Juanita: Happy mid autumn to you too! I’m not crazy about mooncakes so will ask my son to have an extra on your behalf. He LOVES them!
Even though I read your blog regularly, I feel like I am seeing these clothes for the first time, and they are fabulous!
Very pretty! Nice use of the fabric.
Thank you, I’ll check this shop next time I can go to beautiful Singapore!
Very pretty! Thanks for sharing the side view, good to know for anyone else wanting to try this pattern out!
Beautiful! I like the textural look of the print and what you did with that border- really lovely. And quite modern for being a retro pattern, you’ve made a wonderful transformation. I see those side bands as a geometric style detail, not a flaw!
Hello from Washington DC!
Perfect dress for the festivities. You’re spot on with your taste! Hope the mooncakes are as tasty and that you have (had) a wonderful time with your family!
I love your moon dress. For some reason, I even like the quirky unmatched side seams! Maybe because of the interestingly patterned fabric. It is a very pretty dress.
The dress is beautifully thought out and executed. Hope you had a great day with your little ones.
I saw you on Sew Retro. That is a gorgeous dress! The fabric is fantastic.
I’ve had my eye on that pattern, but wasn’t sure about the sleeves. It’s great to see it made up on a person. I think I should try it!
I love this dress! The fabric is perfect and I agree with Marla… I like the unmatched seams.
We do not have a Mid-Autumn Festival here. But if we had one that was anything like what you described I would be there (Especially if I had your dress to wear 😉 ).
So beautiful!
Thank you so much everyone! I’m so encouraged!
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