Pattern Description:
Misses' dress has cut-on drape collar and wrap look. Choice of lengths. Can also be cut without the collar.
Pattern Sizing:
6-22. I cut an 8 at the shoulders and bust, transitioning to a 12 at the hip.
Fabric Used:
Lightweight wool purchased at Guss Woolens in Baltimore ($20 for the piece, about 2 2/3 yard) at a sewing meetup in February of this year.
Total cost, including pattern and notions: About $26
Time to Make:
Cutting is a bit time consuming for this project because the pieces are so huge, and the lined back yoke adds a little time. Otherwise, it is quite simple. I spent about 9 hours on it.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
This pattern was startlingly like an Elie Tahari inspiration piece I found last fall. No dislikes.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, although I did not face the drape collar.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
I did not like the suggested closure method, which was inside ties and a sash worn over the top. I changed it to a regular wrap with attached ties and an opening in the right side seam to thread the tie through. Otherwise, they seemed fine.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
-The only alteration I did to the pattern was a slight Small Bust Adjustment, shortening the front crossover/collar drape a bit by folding some length out.
-Part of the reason the pattern requires a huge volume of fabric is that the collar/flounce is meant to be faced My fabric looks the same from both sides, and I wanted to take advantage of that, as well as maintain the maximum possible drape on the flounce.
Figuring out how to do everything required a bit of thinking about right side/wrong side. The wrong side will be the right side on the flounce (which extends to become the back collar), so the serger rolled hem needed to be done wrong-side-up, and the back collar seam needs to be sewn wrong sides together. To make sure I had the proper side, I marked the wrong side of the fabric with a bit of tissue paper.
First, I trimmed away the seam allowance on the front opening edge above the waist, then did a serger rolled hem above the waist (with the wrong side of the fabric up, as mentioned).
To ensure that the back collar edges would meet perfectly, I hand-tacked the rolled hem edges together, and then stitched the center back collar seam, which is cut in one with the front piece, wrong sides together.
To form the flat fell seam, I trimmed one side of the seam allowance, then folded the full-length side over the short side. (The photo illustrates how the longer seam allowance folds over the shorter. Everything is actually pressed to the side.)
Once it was folded, pressed, and pinned into place, I topstitched close to the folded edge. For topstitching close to an edge, I find it easier to click the needle over rather than try to run the foot close to the edge. Here I have it one click over to the left.
The end result looks good from both sides, perfect for a pattern where the wrong side is sometimes the right side.
-As drafted, this pattern is sort of a faux wrap dress, or something like that. At any rate, it's not meant to have ties that go through an opening and wrap around. There are supposed to be weird small string ties on the inside, and then you wrap an unattached sash around the waist. After getting it assembled, I determined there was no discernible reason this could not be a regular wrap dress, so I decided to go the traditional route.
To attach the tie, I stitched it right sides together with the front opening edge, placing it at the notch where the seam allowance still remained (see the photo above showing the rolled-hem finish above the waist). Then I serger finished the edge, including the tie. Next, I double-folded and pressed the front opening edge from the tie down, and topstitched the folded under edge in place.
I am pretty proud of how seamlessly (for lack of a better, less literal word!) the front opening edge transitions from the serger rolled edge to the tie and finished lower edge.
-The back yoke is also meant to be lined. It was a tight squeeze, but I was able to burrito it for a clean finish. If you are facing the flounce, I wouldn't risk trying the burrito method. To keep the back neck stable while supporting the weight of the collar, I interfaced it.
I also put a square of interfacing on the shoulder/neckline corner of the front piece with integrated collar to reinforce. You have to clip all the way to the stitching to get a nice corner.
-The hem is just turned under and machine blind-stitched, but I used hem lace at the sleeves because I didn't have quite enough fabric for a good hem allowance. It ends up being a nice touch
Conclusion
When I chose this fabric, I knew I was taking a risk with the color and the volume. This could very easily have come out looking like a nightgown. I was really pleasantly surprised by how cute this came out. I don't think it has a nightgown vibe, nor is it overwhelming for my frame. The non-faced collar has a lot of movement and drapes well. All in all, a very successful project. I can see it for Spring in a luxurious silk...
All photos are here and the blog post is here. |
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That is so pretty and so flattering!
12/20/12 10:44 AM
Very pretty - I love the collar - it adds a real oomph to the dress.
12/20/12 11:03 AM
Very cute, and actually elegant. Your thought processes were helpful, as I know I would sew it all inside out or something like that. Your patience pays off! :) Lovely!
12/20/12 12:03 PM
Very attractive dress, I like that you left the collar flounce just one layer, gives it a softer look.
12/20/12 12:28 PM
Another amazingly informative review. This one sounds like it was a real brain teaser. Great fabric and a beautiful dress.
12/20/12 1:15 PM
Very cute dress! Looks like your experimentation worked out!
12/20/12 1:20 PM
A lovely dress. It's turned out very well and looks great on you. It would look good in silk, too.
12/21/12 0:12 AM
Very pretty dress. I love the collar. No fear of looking like you are wearing your nightgown in this. Great job and great review.
12/21/12 0:29 AM
This looks pretty good on you, congratulations on solving the right side wrong side issues. The collar as a single layer is a much better idea, more fluid and drapey.
12/21/12 3:48 AM
excellent review as always and lovely dress. I really like the drape!
12/21/12 6:56 AM
This is really beautiful on you!
12/21/12 11:57 PM
Ver pretty dress! Looks great on you. The fabric is beautiful!!
12/24/12 12:43 PM
OMG, I just bought this pattern, how lovely to see it made up! your version looks fabulous on you, I love it!
12/25/12 6:20 PM
Very attractive dress! Impressive work on this.
1/4/13 3:58 PM