This post is written by Leanne Bagala of Thready For It.
Hi sewing friends! Leanne from Thready For It here, back with more silky noil goodness. I know most people are moving on from lighter weight fabrics to more fall appropriate ones, but…I live in the desert. Yummy linen blends like this black silky noil are my go to year round when more days than not it’s over 70 degrees outside. And this silky noil box top dress is perfect for my desert winter.
Imagine Gnat’s silky noil might be my favorite linen blend I’ve gotten to work with. Unlike the linen blends I’m used to working with, this blend has a really satisfying texture and drape to it. It’s not heavy weight, but it feels nice when you hold it. Depending on how you style it, I think you could make both casual and dressy garments with this fabric and they would both look beautiful.
I always find myself gravitating to the neutral/earthy colorways of fabric, but there surprisingly isn’t a lot of black in my wardrobe. I know it may seem like a ‘safe’ color, but I love that I can throw this dress on, and it will go with any accessory I pair it with.
The noil feels nice on, and it gives me an extra boost of confidence on the days I have it on.
Just like was the case for the Lou Box Top I made with the taupe silky noil, this fabric works just as beautifully for a Lou Box Dress. I opted for dress #1, which is a cocoon relaxed fit dress with pockets and a(n) (optional) button detail on the back.
The Lou Box dress #1 has a short sleeve option as well as an elbow length sleeve option. If you have both the Box top and the Box Dress patterns, the sleeves from the dress are interchangeable between with the top pattern, and I love the extra options that gives you.
Beth has been working to expand her patterns to her new size range, so the Lou Box Dress now goes up to a size 32. Prior to the expansion, I couldn’t fit into the Sew DIY size range, so it makes me so happy that I can now rock Beth’s patterns with the rest of the sewing community.
My measurements are: 54″ full bust/50″ waist/59″ hips, and for the Box Dress #1, I made a size 28 bust and graded out to a 30 for the waist and hips. I would usually grade out to a 32, but with the loose fit of this dress, the finished measurements showed a 30 would be more than enough ease for me.
I just love this silky noil Lou Box dress together. I was recently on a 2 week Eurotrip, and I made sure to pack this beauty with me. It was light enough for warm days, and on days where it was a bit cooler, I just paired it with a cardigan and was good to go.
Much to my mom’s horror, I’m not big on ironing (sorry mom!). I found that this was fine rolled up in my suitcase while traveling. I’m not sure if it’s the blend or what, but I didn’t find that it wrinkled as much as some of my other linen garments. It was the perfect travel companion!
Have you guys picked up any of the silky noil? If so, what have you made with it? Are you a year round linen lover like me? The shop has some really beautiful fall colorways of it that I’m dying to get my hands on. Grab some in plum, charcoal, wine, or marine blue and join me in the “linen lover year round” club!
Until next time…happy sewing y’all!
Leanne