Another Summer Dress
One of the loveliest things about summer is that I get to wear my favorite type of dress, sleeveless or slightly sleeved, swingy and made with colorful fabrics. This dress fits that bill just perfectly.
Here are some additional views:
Side view:
Back view:
(Note: www.fabric.com sells this same fabric)
Lining: Poly lycra knit from stash
Pattern: Vogue 1027:
1. Inserted a full lining
2. Reinforced the front neck opening with clear elastic placed adjacent to, but not caught in, the seamline.
3. Reinforced the shoulder seams with clear elastic caught into the seamline by a scant 1/8 inch.
4. Widened the front opening by 5/8 inch at the lower opening, tapering to nothing at the shoulder.
5. Shortened the dress by 3 1/2 inches
The dress was so easy to put together. The fabric is a rayon lycra knit, sort of on the thin side, with lots of give. For that reason, I let it hang on my dressform for two days before hemming it. I was glad I did, because the hem grew in the first 24 hours and then seemed to stop.
I've worn the dress 4 times and have had no other issues with the fabric growing. I had read on Patternreview that some of these "Trendy Knits" sold by Fabric Mart had a tendency to grow, so I was glad to be forewarned.
With such a stretchy fabric, I was glad to have the added insurance of a lightweight knit lining. Many knit dresses tend to hang better with a lining, and this is one of them.
With a fabric such as this, closely printed with lots of circles, it takes some doing to get them placed properly. I used every single molecule of my fabric (I had purchased 2 yards, 60 inch wide) in order to get the circles where they needed to be.
I inserted the pockets and love that feature. I feel sort of Katherine Hepburn-ish, sashying around with my hands in my pockets. (smile)
Making the pattern again:
If I were to make this pattern again (and I might) I'll make it a bit smaller. It's a bit wide under the bust, but it's not a problem because I can just cinch the sash a bit tighter. I cut it on my usual multi-size lines, so either the pattern runs a bit larger or the fabric has more give. I tend to think it is the latter, but I'll try a slightly smaller size next time.
25 comments:
Thanks for all the excellent details used in the making of this lovely dress.
Karendee
I love the fabric you chose! It really makes the dress. Thanks for all the tips about making this pattern.
Very nice Like how you have placed the circles on the bodice. Very attractive.
I commented at SG, but just have to say again what a gorgeous dress this is.
I am in love with everything about this dress! The fabric is amazing and the pattern is great! I am going to have to pick this pattern up next time I am out. Fantastic job!
Wow! This is gorgeous!!!I have this same fabric (purchased from Fabric.com) and the pattern in my stash and was wondering what I would do with it!? I hate to be a copy cat BUT, I really like this pairing. You've given me an idea...I'm thinking I will maxi mine. Love your blog.
Wow! Your dress looks better than the envelope drawings!
What a great dress! I love what you did placing the dots, wonderful!
Great dress. I love the fabric.
I love it! And I think we're going to be semi-twins soon. I ordered this same fabric for a similar dress. I hope mine turns out as pretty as yours.
What an amazingly pretty dress! Great choice for the pattern, the fabric and the layout!
Beautiful dress Kathryn!
I wonder if I would have been as thoughtful about placement of the dots. Nah, I don't think so. It certainly paid off. Your dress looks fantastic!
Lovely as usual! And the first thing I noticed was the fabric placement because that was one of the reasons I did NOT purchase a piece of that fabric. I couldn't figure out how I would avoid the circles in the front and you did an excellent job with the placement!!! Excellent!
Beautiful dress, and let me echo Carolyn's comment about the print placement. Fantastic!
Beautiful dress!
another nice dress Kathryn, quite similar in style to your last one so you are clearly in love with the knit's this year. I haven't thought of using a light knit to line a knit fabric dress, but will have to give it a go.
Another lovely dress! This amazing print would have intimidated me. You must have done a huge amount of planning before cutting into the fabric to achieve such balanced placement of the different rows of colored circles in the bodice and back. The use of the yellow circles in the tie bands really makes them pop. I had to smile at the similarity of this print and the background of your blog.
Amazing placement work !!!
The dress looks great!
Love this dress. I have this pattern and am just waiting for the right fabric. Thanks for another fabulous review.
Really great dress! I love how you made the fabric pattern work so nicely.
Can you explain the clear elastic insertion in this step? I am not picturing it:
2. Reinforced the front neck opening with clear elastic placed adjacent to, but not caught in, the seamline.
Thanks!
Betsy, I illustrated this method of reinforcing a diagonal seam without catching the clear elastic in the seamline in this post:
http://imadethis-asewingblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/diane-von-furstenberg-pieced-wrap-knit.html
Just scroll down to the section on clear elastic, diagonal seams. It has several pictures to help you get the idea.
Basically, I serpentine zig-zag the clear elastic to the seam allowance right next to the seamline. Then I serge the seam allowance to a scant 3/8 inch. The overcast stitches of the serger encapsulate the clear elastic and help keep the seam from stretching too much.
HTH,
Kathryn
THANK YOU!
Guess I'll have to open that package and try that clear elastic, now LOL
This is so pretty. I've never purchased from Fabric Mart. When I do, I will know what to expect. Thanks for the heads up on the Trendy knit fabrics.
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