“I think I’ll buy this to make a Tiramisu”
The declaration “I think I’ll buy this to make a Tiramisu”, spoken whilst standing at a jersey fabric stall in Birmingham Rag Market, might make perfect sense to the lovely people of the online sewing community, but would sound utterly mad to any passers-by, for whom the primary, perhaps only meaning of Tiramisu is an Italian Coffee and Chocolate trifle. Of course, I was talking about the Tiramisu dress from Cake Patterns, which I’m sure you’ll have seen cropping up here, there and everywhere in the sewing blogosphere. Here are some of my favourites, which inspired me to make my own:
- Lauren’s stripy Tiramisu
- Leila’s stripy and spotty Tiramisu
- Jo’s lace effect Tiramisu
- Gillian’s Family Tiramisus!
I got mightily confused about what size to cut. The dress uses your high bust size to determine the bodice size, and then the difference between the high bust and the full bust to determine the cup size (I think!). Anyway after a bit of advice-seeking via Twitter, the super-talented Tanit-Isis advised me that the bodice was quite roomy and that it might be better to round down the bodice size rather than round it up, and that suited me because it seemed to fit in with cup size and finished garment measurements. I cut a 35D, and I’m not sure I’ve got it exactly right, but it certainly isn’t too bad a fit. I think I could do with more arm room and more boob room, so perhaps I should try the bigger bodice next time, although I’m not sure what cup size I’d go for then…it seems odd to choose A cup size when I wear a 32G bra…
Bodice – not sure if it needs to be bigger. What do you think?
Anyhow, the dress was really simple to assemble and came together in just a few hours. It would be even quicker without the pockets, and even though I do like to have pockets, I don’t really like them on this dress. They are in-seam pockets, and the skirt isn’t gathered or anything at the waist, so it seems to me that the pockets add a bit of bulk to the hip area, which quite frankly I could do without!!
I used my overlocker for pretty much the entire project, except the topstitching of course. I love how neat it looks and how fast it is to sew like that! I love how it always feels so easy and comfortable to wear knits, too. I’m already planning my next one, when I can put my stripe matching to the test. I just have to come to some sort of decision about sizing.
Overlocked seams, and topstitching around the neckline.
Anyway, there you have it – my first Tiramisu. I hope it will be the first of many! Here are five reasons why this is awesome, with photos to prove it:
Reason 1: Good for twirling in.
Reason 2: It’s a nice dress to wear when eating chocolate ice cream at the park.
Reason 3: It holds up well on the swing.
Reason 4: It’s good for moody posing by rose bushes, with hands in pockets.
Reason 5: You can EAT Tiramisu and WEAR Tiramisu! I know, I’m blowing your mind…
So what do you think? Does the sizing look right to you? Advice greatly appreciated!
(By the way – I know a few other bloggers bought the same jersey at the Birmingham meet up, so let me just warn you that the fabric dye really runs! I pre-washed my fabric at 40 degrees, but it still managed to dye my white bra blue when I wore it. Luckily, the dress itself doesn’t seem to have faded).
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Ooh very pretty! This is definitely on my ‘to sew’ list.
It was on mine for ages too! Would def recommend, will be fab post-baby x
Lovely..the dress looks pretty and practical! I would love to make it when I can buy new patterns again – I am on a pattern-buying embargo currently. xx
It is worth your hard-earned cash, I think! x
I love your Tiramisu! You look great! From the photos I think the size of the bodice looks fine but you’re the one wearing it so definitely keep playing until you’re happy. I wear the same bra size as you do and I cut the 35D as well. If you do go for a larger bodice size I’d recommend you go up in the front but keep the back the same size as you used on this Tira. Or you could also do the FBA. I’m pretty sure Steph has a tutorial on her site.
Thanks Leila. I’ll have to check that out now that I’ve made my first one. I’d never have thought to cut the front and back different sizes, but now I see that could work! Good thinking! 🙂
Ooh, that’s lovely. I particularly like the double whammy of tiramisu in that last photo! Ha ha ha! 😉
It had to be done, really! x
Looks like a great fit to me, and I love the fabric. Thank you for the tip about the pockets – I think I’ll leave them off. The ice cream pic is my favourite !
Thank you. Yes, I’m definitely going to omit them in future versions too. It’s kind of a weird idea anyway to have knit pockets, as I’d worry that anything I put in them would just stretch the dress and put strain on the side seams – not a good look!
Yours looks really great, I love it. I’ve made the tiramisu twice now and still not got it to work for me. Its a shame as it looks so flattering on everyone else! I suspect I’m cutting too big a size … 😦
Do you have a link to photos? Would love to see!
The sizing looks spot on to me, you look fab! I never did go and get that fabric you know, so I’m very jealous! It’s a lovely little summer dress.
Thanks! You’ll have to go back, it is very pretty fabric!
It looks a really good fit and it seems to move around well with you on your activities in the park. If it didn’t feel tight then, I guess it’s a perfect fit. I love the design – very flattering. Coincidentally, I had a great Tiramisu yesterday at our quilting group (someone’s birthday!) and she said it’s very quick and simple so she’ll be handing out the recipe details soon. I’ll send it on if you’d like it. (Should be made the day before which is always handy for dinner parties.) Though too much and we all might have to let out some seams!
Excellent! I once made a Tiramisu for an ex boyfriend, it was lovely but I lost the recipe! So please do send me the recipe. I can wear my dress whilst I make it 😉
Great dress, I think the fit looks spot on. I’ve been coveting this pattern for a while and every version I see tempts me even more – I love the “put together” feeling of wearing a dress!
Dresses are awesome for that. This dress is such a lovely design and so easy to sew – I heartily recommend it!
Oh I love the fabric! The blue combined with the flowers looks just great on that pattern (and on your of course!).
Thanks! I couldn’t resist this jersey fabric, it was just so pretty! You may well see it cropping up elsewhere on the sewing blogs as quite a few other sewists snapped some up!
It looks like the perfect summer dress, the fit looks great.
Thanks Zora! Everyone seems to think it fits ok, I’m starting to believe you all! 🙂
Oh, your tiramisu is just beautiful! Great fabric and twirl appeal. I just made my first Cake Patterns make as well, but it is the Cabarita top, also a knit.
Ooh I love the Cabarita top! I might buy that pattern at some point, too. Was it easy to make?
It was, actually! I just blogged it, Check here: http://gjeometry.com/2013/07/28/eat-my-cake-and-sew-it-too/
Thanks for the link, it’s a really pretty top!
Very pretty dress, the fit looks okay to me I don’t see any major pulling. Shame about the colour of the fabric rubbing but I’ve found that is really common with knits I’ve bought.
Thanks. It’s the first time I’ve experienced it. I thought the prewash would sort it out!
You look really good in this dress! The fit is really good on your shape, and very flattering too
Aaaw thank you! Guess I have to start believing people now! 😉
Ooh, I love it! I think the fit looks good, not too tight and not too loose. And the fabric is perfect for this pattern. Cheers for the heads up on the colour runs, I’ll remember when I finally get round to using mine.
Thank you! Looking forward to seeing what you do with it!
Here is the recipe –
Tiramisu
A large packet of Savoiardi (sponge finger biscuits)
1 cup strong black coffee
1/2 cup Kahlua (see note)
250g mascarpone
300ml thickened cream
4 squares of Dark or Milk Chocolate – grated
Method:
Place cooled coffee & ¼ cup of the Kahlua into a shallow dish ready for dipping the sponge fingers into.
In a bowl combine mascarpone & cream & whip together well, add the rest of the Kahlua & whip.
In a 19cm square dish place a thin layer of the cream mixture, just enough to cover the bottom.
Dip one sponge finger at a time into the coffee mixture & place on top of the cream in the dish until covered. Spread 1/3 of cream mixture over the sponge fingers & sprinkle a small amount of the grated chocolate of this.
Do layers of the dipped sponge fingers & another 1/3 of the cream then the grated chocolate until all the cream has gone. Sprinkle generously with grated chocolate & if you like you can add some chocolate curls on top.
Place in fridge for at least 24 hours, this allows the sponge fingers to absorb the coffee mix & moisture from the cream mix & soften nicely. Serve & enjoy.
Thanks! 2 questions: by ‘thickened cream’, do you mean double cream, whipped cream or extra thick double cream? And for the Kahlua, it says ‘see note’…
It’s probably the extra thick double cream. I’ve not made this yet – just sampled it and passed the recipe on as I received it. I think the note was to say any other coffee liquor will do. I can’t find a reference to it either but as I have Kahlua in my pantry, that’s what I’ll be using. Hope it works out well.
gorgeous dress!! I love the fabric you picked!
Thanks Charlie! It was lovely to meet you on Saturday.