New Look 6123 - dress with side drape

Oooooh I love girlie-girl dresses! Husband and I were invited to his cousin Stephanie's wedding last weekend. The sweltering Ontario heat screamed for a cool summer dress, and besides, everything I own is black, black or black...not inappropriate for a summer wedding, but can be a bit drab in my opinion. Here, I used a piece of fabric from my stash, a challis I believe, in a black background with vivid pink and purple flowers. Like? 














I bought this pattern on sale for $1.99, and was drawn to the versatility of the various options (see pattern pic below). I decided to go with the side gathers and side drape, as well as short sleeves. I was a little concerned that the side drape would make my hips look wider, but I'm surprised at how flattering it is. I think this pattern would actually be suitable on many body shape types; the cross-over top is shapely, the waistline and runching gathers are slimming and add definition, and the drape is elegant and feminine. 


Husband and I got dressed up, and headed off to the Green Door restaurant for lunch before going to the church for the wedding ceremony. A lady walking by near the restaurant told us we looked "just gorgeous"...this pattern, with the side drape, really did make me feel glamorous. It's not often we get all dolled up, such fun!

I was so pleased with how this dress came together that I promptly chose 3 other fabrics and cut out different variations of this pattern, assembly is ongoing but I'll post pics as I finish them. I added some length to the skirt, because I prefer skirts that skim or come just below the knee. I usually have to modify my tops to ensure my cleavage is adequately covered, but here the sizing was right-on and the muslin fit beautifully across the chest. I did, however, add 1.5 inches to the the waistline on the top. I have a long torso, and find dresses with a seamline across the waist is usually placed too high, usually it winds up halfway between my chest and waist. so I added length to the front and back top pieces. Worked like a charm!

This one is a keeper, give it a try!

Here are the pattern and technical drawings:
           


Here are the comments I posted on patternreview.com:
Pattern Description: 
Misses' dress with sleeve and bodice variations including flattering drape and ruffle detail. 
Pattern Sizing:
A (8-18)
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Definitely!
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, no problems.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love the styling, I felt very fancy-schmancy with the side drape - it's not something I ever envisioned myself wearing, and it looked great!
Fabric Used:
Rayon challis (I believe, it's been in my stash so long I don't know for sure)
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I added to the length of the skirt by 2" but otherwise it was great. The sizing was well done, I usually have to raise the neckline on tops to ensure my cleavage is reasonably covered, but when I made the muslin it was already perfect...sexy for evening, but still appropriate for work.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
After making the first one, I promptly cut up 3 more versions in different fabrics, will post shortly :-)

Simplicity 1916 - knit wrap top

After 3 months of no time for sewing, thanks to a long daily commute that has now come to an end, I finally got around to finishing this little number - a simple knit top. It's a great wardrobe-builder, simple but elegant styling and would look great with either casual jeans or a more business-like black skirt. I can't wait to try the other variations.

Here are the technical drawings. I made version "A' but cut out the sleeves short. I figured it would work better for both summer and under a little sweater or suit jacket for winter that way. I didn't bother making a muslin this time as a test run, I find patterns for knit tops usually work out just fine.

The fabric is a lovely purple knit, just the right medium weight and super-soft, something I picked up while on a trip to Germany.

I didn't make any structural modifications to the version I've posted here, but I did have to fix up the neckline by sewing the front pieces that crossover together. Otherwise, it was rather low-cut and the "ladies" were fully exposed. I almost ALWAYS have this problem with cross-over tops, stuffing DD-size boobs into this style without looking like a snarky tart can be tricky.

Next time I'll modify the front pieces like this to provide a little more cover:

Here are the comments I posted on patternreview.com:

Pattern Description: Misses' knit wrap top with sleeve variations.
Pattern Sizing:
6-14, and 16-24 (also available as printable online)
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
It was so simple to make, I plan to try all the variations in order to build up my wardrobe! 
Fabric Used:
Some kind of knit, probably poly.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Too low cut. I will have to make adjustments to the neckline next time, I found the finished top was too revealing for the "ladies" - I ended up having to stitch the overlapping pieces together a little higher up, so that I can wear the top to work. 
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Definitely!

Link to post on burdastyle.

Simplicity 1877 - simple fitted dress

  

The warmer weather here in Ottawa has me thinking of spring, and dresses, dresses, dresses! I love cute summer frocks, but last year I didn't start sewing for summer until it was almost half over...and ended up spending what was left tucked away in my little sewing room instead of enjoying the warm weather. So this year, I'm starting early. 

And nothing says summer like a little black dress. Yeah, I know, it really doesn't, but I'm desperate for a few easy foundation pieces as well as needing to use up some of my stash...so why not...

I bought this pattern for 2 reasons. First, I was drawn to the shape, a cute sort-of-empire waistline that would flatter my shapely figure (small ribcage/waist, big bum). Second, it was on sale for $2.20, so I thought why not give it a shot? Here's the technical drawing...cute, right?

I love the uniqueness of the flounces, but frankly, not for me. And, maybe just a little too unusual for my somewhat conservative office. So I made a variety of modifications...

a
- raised the neckline
- lengthened the skirt
- added U-shaped piece to underarm
- omitted flounces
a
Recommendation: finish arm & neck facings by hand, instead of rushing and doing it by machine, the pieces will lay flat instead of curling up a little (see sleeves in top pic, the edge of the sleeve curls out a bit).
a
View the company's pattern details and instructional videos here.
a
Here are the comments I posted on patternreview.com:
a 
Pattern Description: 
Misses' dress in two lengths with skirt variations.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
More or less, I modified the skirt section significantly - see comments below, and made the overall look a little more fitted, but otherwise it looked like the pattern photo.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, the dress has very straight-forward construction and the instructions were clear.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The look of version A is a wonderful shape but would be a little too "unusual" for my work office, which is somewhat conservative. But I love the drape of the dress - it's sort of empire, but the skirt attaches a bit lower than a typical empire dress, and the overall fit is lovely.
Fabric Used:
Some kind of black polyester suiting, with a little stretch to it. 
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I wanted to be able to wear this dress to work, so I made significant changes to version A; I omitted the flounces altogether, and I lengthened the skirt pattern pieces to come just below the knee. I fitted the dress to lightly skim my hips - I find a form-fitting dress more flattering to my figure (narrow ribcage/waist, big bum). Also, I modified and raised the v-neck line at the front...if I'd followed the pattern my very exposed cleavage would have been talk of the office! And finally, I added in a U-shaped piece of fabric under the arm because the sleeve hole was gaping...leaving about an inch of bra exposed.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I will definitely be making dresses from this pattern again but will continue to make the alterations above so that it's suitable office wear.
a

My goal for 2012 is to sew a project a week (52 projects total) so that I can start working through the frightening fabric stash that is taking over my sewing room. This is project #1.