Vogue Patterns: 8280 (MISSES' DRESS)  - Type:Dresses
Review submitted in Little Black Dress Contest Contest  | | Viewed 867 times
| 47 more reviews | Review rated Helpful by 1 people Very Helpful by 15 people | | Reviewed by: | sunnysewer | 
| About sunnysewer | | CA USA | | Member since: 8/3/09 | | Reviews written: 70 | | Sewing skills:Advanced | | Favored by: 45 people | | patterns reviewed: 67 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 11/29/12 4:55 PM | | Last Updated: | 11/30/12 9:02 PM | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | 
Vogue Patterns Pattern Info | | Pattern Rating: | Highly Recommend | | See other patterns in this category: Dresses | Available for sale on PR: $15.00 (See envelope)  | | | | Fabric: | Cotton Sateen [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| Pattern Description: Vogue Easy Options pattern, fitted dress with armhole and sleeve variations, optional pleated bottom.
Pattern Sizing: 4 - 20, I made a size 12 (mostly)
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes exactly.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes they were OK, I did have to look at them a bit to see how to put the bodice together. Also I referred to the pattern pieces for the sleeve to see which direction the pleats go on the sleeve, important to get the effect as pictured on the pattern.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
When have I made a pattern where the bodice fit so well almost right out of the envelope? Never before ! While this dress is a bit out of my usual style and since I don't go to glamorous cocktail parties every night I guess I won't be making again multiple times - although I could be tempted.
I made a quick muslin of the upper half of the dress, just wanted to see if the sleeves were weird or cute, and check the fit. Dresses with this tight and straight neckline can be very fussy in the fit. Also wanted to make sure it wasn't too low cut, since I am shorter than the standard Vogue 5'5" template, often the extra length shows up inthe bodice with V-necks etc being too long. And I had my answer - yes, just a bit. I added 5/8 of an inch to the bodice across that front neckline, and it had didn't cause any problems on the bodice and shoulder pieces fitting together, so that worked out very well.
I cut the bodice out with about a 1" side seam, but actually ended up stitching about 1/8" extra at the bust for a 1/2" total reduction and then tapering to an extra 1/4 inch at the waist, taking out about 1" at the waist. This dress style begs to be very fitted and using cotton sateen with a touch of lycra helps with that.
Bodice fit
The sleeves are so cute, when I first finished it I thought it looked a bit like a toreador jacket - but that is a stylized look and so with all fashion, just go with it. However - the beauty of these sleeves is they create a wide silhouette at the top and then the dress tapers to the bottom - perfect figure flattering illusion to balance the hips.
Sleeves
Also suprisingly bra-friendly, just needs one with wide set straps.
Fabric Used: Cotton Sateen that is a very strange fabric I ordered ages ago from Fashion Fabrics Club. I thought it would be plain black but it was a tiny bit thicker than their usual cotton sateens and had a shimmer effect on the right side of the fabric. Not enough to be sparkly but just a tiny bit. Which made this fabric all kinds of wrong for most dresses but was perfect for the LBD to dress it up a bit. I think this dress would also be great in wool crepe.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Alterations for size as mentioned above. invisible zipper.
My big change was not to use the skirt portions of the pattern. 2 reasons for that 1) I don't like dresses with the front hip darts, they never seem to look right to me and can make weird points on the front, no matter how perfectly they are sewn 2) I like waist pleats, seems more like a little retro detail that appeals.
So I used the skirt portion from my Vintage McCalls pattern 6314
Review here
which I reviewed back in April. That skirt is so flattering and I have already fitted it. Also it has double darts on the back, which work well for anyone with a curvy backside.
Skirt pleats
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Definitely not my usual dress - but I love it for all the reasons mentioned above. I recommend highly. If you are comfortable sewing very fitted dresses then this one is pretty and pretty easy!
Conclusion:
My new favorite. Drat, I say that every time. Curse you Vogue patterns, you know I will come back for more. Oh well, now I have a Little Black Dress for holiday parties, time to go shoe shopping.
Here are the photo links. I was interrupted in the middle of taking photos this morning so I don't have a daytime look photo yet.
Flickr set with all photos
Edited 11/30, a couple more photos
Daytime look
Dress worn with vintage jewelry
I forgot one other adjustment I made, shortened the back bodice by 1/2" tapering out to the side seams as a sway back alteration, which worked well and the skirt was even when I hemmed it, that never happens, more pattern love for this one! | Buy this pattern for $15.00 List Price: $20.00 Add to Bag  |
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33 Comments
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Beautiful dress! You look wonderful wearing it, and your sewing looks flawless. :-)
11/29/12 5:27 PM
Sassy and sexy...nice job!
11/29/12 6:30 PM
Love the sleeves and the skirt pleats. Good luck in the LBD contest.
11/29/12 7:05 PM
Love this. Those sleeves are really cool.
11/29/12 7:39 PM
I love this! LOVE. I keep seeing this dress pattern and wondering. You have a lovely dress here. So flattering and elegant.
11/29/12 7:44 PM
WOW!! The fit on you is amazing; it is so flattering and much more interesting than basic black
11/29/12 9:14 PM
Love what you've done to tweak this dress. You're so right that the dramatic tucked sleeves are a very flattering proportion. And, they look great with the tucked skirt you swapped to from the original. The suggestion for wool crepe- good one. Enjoy partying in your gorgeous dress. Interested to see the daytime incarnation.
11/29/12 9:29 PM
What a lovely silhouette. It's extremely flattering and your fabric choice is perfect.
11/29/12 10:12 PM
Beautiful dress!
11/29/12 10:32 PM
That is one great dress and it looks lovely on you.
11/29/12 10:38 PM
This is just beautiful on you! I love the neckline and sleeves. You look great in it!
11/29/12 10:39 PM
My goodness, you look so glamorous. I hardly knew you :-) Love the sleeves and the overall fit is spot on.
11/30/12 1:04 AM
Beautiful, beautiful dress! I have had this pattern for a long time, but still have yet to make it. I would not have thought of cotton sateen, but yours looks great!
11/30/12 1:39 AM
such a beautiful dress I love the style - beautiful workmanship
11/30/12 3:09 AM
The fit is perfect. Beautiful dress.
11/30/12 8:55 AM
Beautiful dress! Very flattering on you.
11/30/12 9:54 AM
Stunning dress! The sleeves definitely amp it up a bit! And I love the pleats in the skirt instead of the darts.
11/30/12 11:45 AM
Great looking LBD! The fit is spot on. Nice job!
11/30/12 12:25 PM
amazing!
11/30/12 12:35 PM
Lovely!!! I love the neckline and sleeves! It looks like you made the right decision in adding to the neckline. You look fabulous.
11/30/12 12:58 PM
Beautiful dress! I have this pattern, its in my 'ought to make this one up' pile, and I do like your variation with the skirt pleats. These seem to echo the sleeve detail rather well. I'll take note of the neckline level issue too when I get around to this make. Did I say great fit too?
11/30/12 1:29 PM
Lovely LBD. Pretty sleeves
11/30/12 4:36 PM
very pretty (and I like the blue strap!)
11/30/12 5:13 PM
Gorgeous dress looks so pretty on you!!!
12/1/12 6:39 AM
This looks great on you. It would also be very pretty in a summer print. You did a fabulous job.
12/1/12 8:11 AM
Pretty, pretty, pretty!
12/1/12 9:38 AM
Love it!!
12/1/12 1:28 PM
Love it!!
12/1/12 1:28 PM
This looks wonderful on you and you styled it well for day and evening.
12/2/12 7:59 AM
Cute dress! I love both the daytime and evening versions and it looks like you got an excellent fit!
12/4/12 9:18 AM
You are a knock out! Good luck!
12/5/12 2:52 PM
This is an elegant LBD. It has been on my wish list forever. I love it with your vintage jewelry.
12/5/12 10:18 PM
lovely dress! love it!
12/7/12 4:40 PM