Chartreuse Charmeuse

This shocking green bolt of silk had caught my eye over and over at SR Harris, the local discount overstock fabric store, but it wasn’t until they had a massive silk sale that I finally picked it up (four yards for $24!). It’s a lovely heavy charmeuse, slinky but not at all sheer, and the color unlike anything else I had in my wardrobe.

After much deliberation, I decided it was destined to become a Cashmerette Webster Dress, which has lovely, simple lines and an excellent fit. I’ve made it once before and find myself tossing it on throughout the summer, so clearly I needed another. This time I sized down one cup size to the 18 E/F because in the G/H there was more room under the arms than I needed. If I make it again, I’ll likely lower the bust darts a smidge.

For this version, I took advantage of the tiered design to play with the matte/shiny textures of charmeuse, using the matte side for the top and the shiny for the band. It’s a pretty simple construction, but I definitely made things harder on myself. Not only did I decide to do French seams in order to avoid the fraying to which silk is so prone, in my excitement to work on it before getting the right interfacing, I assembled in the wrong order! This meant I had to use a different method for applying the facing and in the process forgo the back straps. All is well, though; it came together and the shoulders stay in place well enough!

This dress brings me so much joy, y’all. Not only is it such an easy and comfortable silhouette, the color is so bright and so unlike anything else I own. It’s a perhaps more low-key make than many of my others, yet still maintains the sense of drama and decadence I find so rewarding in sewing.