Miranda's Framboise Francoise

The Francoise dress by Tilly and the Buttons has everything I like in a pattern: close-fitting silhouette with endless possible variations. With its raglan, two piece sleeves, you could even think about using contrasting fabrics—one for the sleeves and one for the main body! It could be a sporty, athletic style dress with bold contrast or a pretty combination of a sheer and a solid. So many possibilities!

Pattern: Francoise by Tilly and the Buttons, 3/4 sleeve with collar
Materials: 2.75 yards Matchsticks Plum double gauze by Ellen Baker for main fabric, 1 yard Two Tone Tiny Purple by Sarah Watson for collar and facings
Size: Size 6 in Tilly and the Buttons' sizing, 40" bust
Modifications: none!

This dress is so soft and floaty! It's like wearing a raspberry milkshake. That is definitely what I love about double gauze. It's delicate, airy texture feels amazing against your skin. Once you try it, you will want to coat your body in it every day of your life.

The main fabric spoke to me first, and the little bitty print for the collar matches it perfectly! The collar looks like raspberry seeds to me.

I really like the two-piece sleeve. I made another version out of a more stable fabric just to make sure it would work in this double gauze. I'm glad I did, because I wouldn't have thought to alter the fit by taking in that sleeve seam. Much easier than taking it apart and altering the armscye!

I learned that double gauze does not love to be tailored. Sewing the long bust-to-hip dart the same way twice was tricky. The fabric wants to shift and float away from the seam. It's manageable and worth the lovely outcome, but I understand now why most double gauze garments are loosely fitted.