When you say ‘ikat’ I really have no idea what that means. I hate to break my streak of providing readers with nothing redeeming, but I went ahead and looked up what ikat means. Hmm. Ok, that was kind of boring. We’ll skip it. Phew! My streak survives!
Ikat always makes me think of EKG strips when I look at it. Healthy EKG readings, very nice. I’m going to try to distract you from looking at the 400 mosquito bites I got in this park by focusing on Bruderlein my date. 
This is view B. I love these patterns with all the sizing adjustments and whatnot that make it so easy to fit. I made very view changes- I did not make the skirt back in 4 panels, I really didn’t see why I should cut up the lovely EKG print that much. Also, this is a pretty fraying fabric- the less seams the better! I went thru 5 bobbins on this dress and alot of it was my ‘pink it, then zigzag over it twice fiesta edge finish’ that I used on those skirt panels. On the bodice back I edged it with bias tape- mostly to really keep that open back from drooping and showing off my lovely foundation garments.
After all of my fitting tries, I realized that a zipper was kind of unnecessary. It’s goes over my head with no trouble, so why toil in zipper land if I don’t have to? I know it could be a bit more fitted, but I’m good with this- it doesn’t need to be tight for work. The waist seems a bit higher on me than on the cover model, but thats no shock!
Speaking of unnecessary: these pockets. The placement is again in the marsupial zone, but that’s not my issue. They really don’t have much ‘bag’ to them. So for any practical storage they are pointless. Mother didn’t raise me to stand about with my hands in my pockets like a street urchin- so if I can’t even safely keep a twinkie in them, what is the point? Don’t act like you haven’t stored Hostess products in your dress pockets! It’s very common!
The husband likes this dress- especially the back- he thought back cleavage was highly out of character for me. I’m worried that the front is a little bland. I’d better brooch up!
I really enjoyed making this. Do you find comfort in the old basics of sewing? The making of darts, the gathering, the princess seams? It all felt so familiar and nurturing, like old friends.
I love feeling like I’ve stretched myself skill-wise with a pattern, but this just felt right. It was done in 1 day except for the hemming. I call it a win.
Bruderlein says its time to go home! 
photo credits: pattern review, meadhawg, google images. All images remain the property of their original owners.
Pretty Grievances 
WOW…it looks better on you than the envelope model! Love the Ikat fabric although I would say it is more bargello inspired. You need to get your serger up and running, girl! If you have ravely edges it cleans them up fast! I agree with the hubby…surprise opening in the back is adorable! Now you need a couple more of these to go with your cute hat!
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Bargello! Of course! Grandmonsters diningroom chairs were in bargelo! Its all coming back…
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I love your EKG dress! I’m glad you didn’t cut up the print for the skirt. And I really like the back. I really need to make some of these dresses.
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I think i will choose a less wrinklin’ material for my next version!
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I just made a skirt out of double gauze…wrinkly but pretty and comfortable.
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I totally blame the pup for most of my wrinkles- he was most squirmy!!
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beautiful job, and the ikat is awesome!! I just bought my first ikat fabric which resembles smeared hearts rather than EKG, but it’s still pretty awesome me thinks 😉 Love the last pic of your pup–so cute!
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Smeared hearts has a very cool ring to it! Whats your plan?
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I can’t decide between a blouse or a dress. So for now the plan is to think on it 😉 Terribly boring, I know!
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Stashes need to marinate sometimes!
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This is really lovely on you 🙂 and totally agree about the pockets, the placement is utterly odd! Nice hat btw.
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Not a flattering spot for storage!!!
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You did a great job, and you look fabulous!
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Oh thank you so much!
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I don’t think it’s plain at all! It’s all about that great print! And it looks really good on you! It’s a perfect little causal dress with a surprise design detail on the back. Love it! =)
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Its a great little work dress- even with back cleavage!
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Great fabric and great creation!
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Thank you- Im on a fabricmart diet- this was in my last box! Sadness….
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It’s a great dress. I like the hat too.
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Thank you- I can see it getting a lot of wear!
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oh I love it! The fashion shoot is very engaging, too.
But yeah, that dress looks great on you and the hat is smart, too.
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Thank you! I dont know why I waited so long to make this…
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Lovely! It looks great on you. I really like the back detail.
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I was really drawn to the shape of the back- it sold me.
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Gorgeous fabric, wonderful fit, spectacular dress! I’m historically not much of a fan of Ikat, but you’ve made me a believer!
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Its definitely different for me- i dont think they make it in leopard!
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It looks awesome on you!! Just awesome. It’s super flattering and I love that there is enough ease to omit the zipper. Pretty, pretty fabric. The front is not bland at all.
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I love skipping a zipper!!
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Really cute! I love these colors! And the back detail is way cute. 🙂 Bruderlein is looking as glamorous as ever!
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He is a perfect acessory, isnt he?
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Lovely dress – adore that back cut out. I like a little surprise in unexpected places.
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Its not even huge- which I love- no rigging if foundation garments at all!
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This is adorable. I was weirded out by the chain embellishment on the pattern cover, so I steered clear of the pattern. But made up so beautifully here, the pattern really works. Great job!
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The chain was definitely not to my taste, either!
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This dress is great! The back cut out really makes it special. I have to admit I also googled ikat and was disappointed that the description had NOTHING to do with cats or i’s…. Oh well another mystery to be solved!
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It was just not a dramatic read!
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Bruderlein is so freaking adorable OMG! I have this pattern but had not got around to finding a fabric to use – I love your IKAT print 🙂 It is very fun and happy – just like you 😉
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A slightly dull dress needs a jazzy print and a handsome escort!
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Your dress is smashing! I’ve never been too sure about wearing a dress with the back cutout, but it looks great on you.
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I was really afraid of it being a back fat fiesta, but the location is good!
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haha marsupial pockets!! But hey if you can store twinkies in them well then I’m all for that! I really love ikat. This dress looks great and the back is a lovely suprise.
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Next make gets a better pocket!
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The beauty of this dress are the colours you’ve used as well as the back feature. Ikat to meant a piece of Ikea furniture and your dress is better than their furniture.
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It was quite DIY tho..
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Ikat AND back cleavage – you can’t lose with that combination! I with hubby – GREAT dress. You have sewn yourself a winner here.
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Thank you! It will definitely get a second model!
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Lovely dress in whatever the material is called. I thought a bargello was a little tugboat..
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Or a fancy licqeur!
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I don’t know what Ikat is either! But now that you’ve made a fab dress from it, I do now – thanks.
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It does sound like an lol cat phrasing!
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Really like this on you! Great fabric, length and cute back detail. Really suits you!
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Thank you! I dont know if Id change anything but the pockets!
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This is a great dress and I love your EKG fabric (still smiling)! I must try these patterns and princess seams too. Your posts always make me laugh, thank you!
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Princess seams are so easy for fitting me- I just love them!
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I love everything about this! The fabric is fabulous and I do love a bit of back detail. And as for your pup he is totally adorable in these pictures, especially the last one.
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His adorableness only kicked in after we’d worn him out! The first shots were him dragging me to see squirrels at top speed!
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Too lovely, and as always, you are so much fun to read. Yes, I like to go back to the rhythms I learned as a girl like darts and gathers and such. But I have a better machine!
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What a great dress!! Back detail seals the deal!! You look so pretty and cool and Bruder is the perfect accessory!
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Apparently mosquitos love the bagello ikat!
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Very nice, love the pattern, the style and the accessories. You have done yourself proud with this one. And Bruder. 😉
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Oh my, you’ve really found a wonderful pattern for yourself! This is just beautiful, Anne. Love the fabric, color, fit, the back detail – and can tell you do too! Brunderlein the thunder dog seems well, what a coat of fur. Drat mosquitoes…who let them in the park? Hope you make this again soon.
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Alas you would have been such a sweet urchin – or hostess with the mostest (stashing Valium perhaps?).
It’s quite Belladone – although it doesn’t sound like you sussed much ‘French’ sewing it together. Nice job!
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This dress looks so pretty on you and I really like the little peek-a-boo back.
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Looks great on you, and I love the back! Agree on pockets, all garments should have them, but only if they are functional!!! Shallow or fake pockets are ghastly!
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I agree. I HATE fake pockets. Earlier this year I bought a Vogue dress pattern that I was in love with but then discovered that the pockets are fake. I was so excited to make it but I was totally turned off as soon as I realized that. I’m sure I can add real pockets myself but I feel so betrayed.
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Miss Ruth at Core Couture made those fakey pockets into real ones last week- I think we all hate the hate pocket betrayal!
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I’m still not sure what Ikat is. Thanks a heap. This is a great dress, though. Nifty print.
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Oooo! Pretty colors! I love the shoes too.
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Oh thanks! I have toe exposure issues- for me those are sandals!
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what a fantastic dress, I think this is your best fit ever. love it.
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The back is GREAT! Love the little “peekaboo” zone. And why do you keep picking patterns with marsupial pockets?
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I need to stop thinking about how my hips look and pick patterns strictly based on pocket size!!!
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Love the print, the colors, the back cut out! Very fetching and you look lovely in it. Great dress for a summer’s day. I have a blouse with a back cut out like that. I always manage to scorch my back on my car seat getting into a hot car every time I wear it, but otherwise it’s nice ventilation.
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Got to remember the back burn!! You are wise and well dressed oh Frippish one!
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Love the dress the print is a wonderful match and of course the ultimate accessory Bruderlein! Got a love that puppie!
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He always helps me blog, sew and pose- he’s my accomplise!
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Love it, love it, love it. It’s sweet and simple with the cute back cleavage. I would steal it if those colors looked good on me. I might just stop buy to steal the scraps.
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Sweet and simple is my extremely long middle name!!
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The dress is wonderful and your escort is ADORABLE! I hate that when they tease us with pockets and give us useless folds. You still have Hostess products? They disappeared within weeks of Hostess’s demise out here. Not that I ate them, but it was nice to see something around that I coveted as a child.
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But didnt you hear? Twinkie the kid rides again!
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Lovely; you were right not to interrupt the pattern any more than needed.
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Im all for less pointless seams!
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I can’t believe I’m the only one who can’t believe that you made this in a day! What tonics do you imbibe?! Super pattern on you as ever. I’m with you on the leaving out of the manacle for your pet mink which was supposed to be kept in the marsupial pocket. I really do think you’ll be fine with side pockets as long as your carriables are unbulky (eg no bowler hats etc).
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I just never know when I will need my marbles or slingshot for an old school throwdown!
This dress only took 1 episode of project runway and 2 James Cagney musicals to complete!
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Wonderful dress – it’s a keeper! I expect to see more of these – maybe with a bit of pocket magic done so that a twinkie is safe in there?
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Maybe a matching holster?
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Lovely dress! Love reading your posts, lost of fun. I particularly enjoyed “marsupial zone” and “zipper land”. Ugh, I try to avoid going anywhere near zipper land if I can help it. You look great in this, the back detail is lovely and looks very neatly made x
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Ack…if you’re going to put pockets on a pattern make them freaking serviceable! It drives me further into wild eyed crazy woman territory when they do that. And lord knows I don’t need any help in that department.
But, despite their best efforts this is a super cute dress. And your escort is terrifically handsome!
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He is a handsome thing- he wished the pockets could hold treats, of course.
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Beautiful job – such a great style and fit on you – love the EKG print ^___^
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This looks just beautiful on you Anne! I love the back ‘window vent’, so flattering. The fabric is also fabulous. And, the shots of Bruderlein? Priceless!! I especially love the one where he’s completely out of focus, running maniacally with his tongue hanging out, lol. So, did you end up leaving the pockets off? I can’t see them in your pics. Or are they just THAT close fitted to the dress?
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I put them in, but they sure are useless- im glad they dont show. Bruderlein is my chubby little dervish!
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Lovely job and looks great on.
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Thank you!!
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EKG fabric and dress are a winner for sure and I too love this dress. Very pretty lady:)
I too like familiar makes but I don’t have many of those really so I smile when I do a familiar technique lol. Side invisible zippers on trousers are making me happy at the moment ….
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Lovely! And such a nice little cut out at the back!
And I agree- what’s the point of too-small pockets that just pad out hips and bellies but with no useful reason?
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This is gorgeous! I LOVE cut-outs with a disturbing fervour, so I was already biased, but I think you’ve managed a tastefulness that might not be attributed to me. It’s so pretty and you look totally hot!
Also, for a slightly less boring look at ikat, check out The Dreamstress’ post here http://thedreamstress.com/2013/07/terminology-what-are-ikat-abr-and-chine/
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