I didn’t really think the Deer and Doe Arum dress would be my first stab at a D&D pattern. I’ve been in love with their Fumeterre skirt since it first came out, among others, but I hadn’t really noticed Arum.
Until last winter when I went looking for a basic dress to teach a beginner garment-making type class at Periwinkle Quilting, the local shop where I’ve been getting to do some teaching this past year. I loved the slender silhouette and the simplicity seemed perfect for a one-day class.
And, having made it up, I think I was right, on that front at least.
I’m a little less at ease with my choice of fabric. It’s a muted greeny blue that I LOVE but combined with the simple cut it reads dangerously close to hospital gown, which is not helped by the fact that the fabric (a cotton-linen blend) really has a bit too much body for the design. But I’m a sucker for linen.
I added some lace motifs at the neck to hopefully distract from this.
I blended from a 38 in the upper body to a 40 at the hips, and did a swayback adjustment, which I think helps but it’s a bit hard to assess given the loose shape.
I have mixed feelings about the dolman sleeves. On the plus side they’re super simple and quick—on the minus I think they’re a bit low under the arm (duh, that’s how sleeves like this work). I might try playing around with raising them and adding a gusset in the future, but I didn’t want to go too far off the grid with a class sample.
Also did I mention it is SHORT? Ok, again in the pattern’s defense I did a one inch hem instead of 3/4″, so it might be slightly shorter than intended, and I am technically taller than most patterns are drafted for… but I rarely have to add length to skirts. It’s technically mini length, but because of the style of sleeves it comes up quite a lot when you raise your arms.
Maybe some lace around the bottom to add a wee bit of extra length… things I will think on later, after the class is done.
In the meantime I might have to try another. It was seriously quick and fun to put together.
Tanit-Isis Sews 
Maybe an eyelet border so you will be able to sit down (or sneeze without causing a distraction). Don’t get me wrong, it looks great on you but as you said it is short.
Love your Arum! I made mine in a knit rather than have to drive myself nuts with too many fit adjustments and I love it in a knit but mine was short too so I wear it like a tunic with leggings 🙂
I actually thought it was a blouse/top. Yep, I’d say short is one word for it. 😀. I live in the Deep South (certainly not a fashion center for anything)’ but with very simple tunics or very short dresses around here I often see young girls wear slips under them that are designed with long, thin straps that can be adjusted in length quite a bit. The slips all seem to be made from super stretchy tricot knit type fabric, but come with lace sewn on the bottom so one adjusts the slip to show the lace. I’ve seen everything from fine netting with seed pearls to cotton eyelet lace. I believe you could pull that off quite well and utilize it under many garments. 😀. Took me a lot of words to explain a simple slip. Lol.
I appreciate your explanation plenty. I remember doing something like this in high school after a pal in drama club explained it to me. My results were not so adorable as hers, but it was a trick I’ve used in costuming since then. If you can yank it up so it won’t show, you can let it down so it does. I have a Deer and Doe I bought at a sale, but I’m too lazy to go find it and I don’t remember. Did it go together well? Were the instructions okay? Asking for a friend, a very laaaaazy friend
I don’t think I can add anything new, because it’s adorable, but short (for my taste), except that cotton/linen blends wash into such an awesome softness and flow. Enjoy it, and throw some leggings under it for the fall and spring. 🙂
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