We have had such a long winter here in Perth – much wetter and colder than usual – and as stereotypical West Aussies, we did not handle it well. This week the weather has finally turned, the temperature is warmer, everyone has sighed a collective sigh of relief that Spring is definitely in the air. So of course the timing was perfect to share with you my gingham crinkle linen Protea dress!
I’m so happy with how this dress turned out. I made a straight view A and it was one of the first Protea dresses I made for myself, and has had so much wear over the last few years.
I used a crinkle linen gingham from Potter & Co here in Australia and it’s the same fabric that I used for Birdie’s Christmas pajamas in 2023. That nightie was made with the leftover fabric from this dress, and I still remember how much trouble I had squeezie her nightie out of the leftover fabric! For this dress it was ever so slightly too sheer for my liking, and so I ended up making a skirt lining from a pale yellow cotton I had in stash and that did the trick. The pockets were made from the same fabric to blend in.
The interesting thing about sewing this fabric is that it’s not quite as crinkly as some “crinkle” fabrics you can buy, but does stretch out enough when ironed to make the fit different. I really agonized over whether to cut the fabric crinkled or iron it out and let it shrink back up after washing. In the end I chose to iron it out and cut everything nice and flat, knowing that Protea is oversized and can handle a bit of shrinkage. I really love how crinkly and lovely it is straight out of the wash and I don’t think it made any significant difference to fit. The sleeves always feel “fitted” straight out the wash, and then loosen up through wear.
All in all i am so happy with how this dress turned out, it’s such an easy breezy go to for warm weather, and i’m glad to be pulling it out of my wardrobe for another season of warm weather!
