Subtitle: Never Give Up; Never Surrender!
(Can anyone name the reference? 100 points on the nerd scale if you can!)
What is with the pigeon toed stance?
Several people have made this dress. The version that inspired me most was Cennetta’s fabulous version from late fall. I’ve had it in the back of my mind since she reviewed it. When the forecast called for yet another snowstorm this weekend, I decided it would be the perfect time to work on it.
Pattern Description: From the Vogue Website “MISSES’ TUNIC, DRESS AND PANTS: Pullover tunic or dress has front extending into back collar, fitted, front pleated bodice, raised waist, tie ends, two-piece sleeves with barrel cuffs, and stitched hem. Fitted, straight-legged pants (below waist) have elastic waist”
I made the dress.
Sizing: 8-24. I made a 12.
Fabric Used: Bright Nights Floral ITY Jersey – Multi on Black from Gorgeous Fabrics. Check it out! Two projects in a row with current fabrics!!
Needle/Notions Used: Stretch 70/11 Needle. Thread. That’s it!
Tips Used during Construction: Sewing With Knits, Press That Bad Mama Jamma.
Did it look like the photo or drawing when you got through? Yes.
How were the instructions? They were good. This is a pretty straightforward pattern, and it goes together well.
Construction Notes: I made an FBA (cribbed straight from Cennetta’s review). I don’t have short arms, but Vogue sleeves are always at least an inch too long on me, so I shortened the sleeve.
Because this fabric has a bold floral pattern, I decided to use a single layer layout to place the pattern pieces exactly where I wanted it. To avoid the chance of getting a “bullseye” effect of blossom on boob, I marked the bust apex on my pattern piece:
Marking the bust point can save you a world of embarrassment later.
I was able to get a pretty good match across the CB bodice seam.
Not too shabby!
I didn’t have enough fabric, though, to get an exact match on the skirt backs. Oh well. The print is busy enough that the eye doesn’t notice it.
My choice was to match the skirt backs at the CB, or have enough fabric to make the sash. The sash won.
Speaking of the sash, as drafted, it is looooooong! If you look at Cennetta’s version, the sash reaches down to just above her ankle. Cennetta has about 5 inches of height on me, so I knew that it would be dragging on the floor if I went with the as-drafted pattern piece. I cut the size 8 sash instead of the size 12, then I trimmed another 3 inches off the wide end. That makes it a much more satisfying length for me.
One thing worth noting is that the pattern envelope calls for 3 1/4 yards of fabric for a size 12 dress. Even with the pattern matching, I used significantly less than 3 yards of fabric. So if you have a smaller piece than recommended, don’t despair. You may well be able to economize on the layout and get a dress from as little as 2 1/2 yards for a size 12.
Once I started sewing everything went fine at first. But then… near disaster.
My wonderful Juki home serger (I have an industrial at the office) started chewing up my fabric. It would not cut the seam allowance off, and the fabric would get caught in the seam and everything would be a mess.
Ruh-Roh Rastro!
It was even worse on seams with a lot of fabric coming into it. You know, like barrel cuffs on the ends of sleeves, and raglans at the top? I was pulling seams out, and I wanted to pull my hair out along with it! I just had my Juki serviced, by a really good place. They replaced the blades and overhauled the entire machine. What you also must understand about my Juki is that I bought it in 1991. That means that it’s old enough to be served alcohol, and it has been a trouper for 22 years. I think it might be telling me it’s time to retire it.
Likes/Dislikes: I love that this pattern is so flattering on so many different bodies. I love the ease of it and I like the neckline. No dislikes.
The finishing touch!
Would you do it again? Would you recommend it? I may do it again, but maybe not – too many other patterns beckon to me! I definitely recommend it.
Conclusion: A real winner! Here’s the front on Shelley. DH’s birthday is this Saturday. We’re going out with BFF Barb and her husband, whose birthday is the week after DH’s. I’ll try to get a picture of me in it then.
Happy sewing!
Galaxy Quest! Did you know that one of the language tracks on the DVD is that alien language (that I can’t remember at the moment)?
Love the dress AND the current fabric!
Oh come on – that title is too easy. Galaxy Quest – that movie with Tim the Toolman Taylor and Sigourney Weaver and Tony Shalhoub.
Winston Churchill said that.
Love the dress and the fabric. Thanks for the pattern review, now I want to make that dress!
Lisa, I think he actually said “Never give in”. In another speech, he said, “We shall never surrender!” Of course, he made so many great speeches in the House of Commons, he may have said it too.
This is a gorgeous dress. Love that fabric!
Galaxy Quest is either next up or will be up very shortly in our Friday Night Movies queue. I’ve been putting ST:TNG on while I’m sewing lately, as Amazon has it free to stream for Prime members and it’s not exactly something you have to be watching closely, and that has prompted a lot of quoting of Galaxy Quest, as Star Trek always does. I was thus reminded that we haven’t watching it a couple years, and it always deserves a re-watch.
Besides, DH just made me re-watch Wrath of Kahn so I would be “prepared” with Reboot #2 comes out this May. Geek I may be, but I’ve never been a fan of TOS. Too much Shatner. Galaxy Quest is a great way to point and laugh.
Beautiful dress! I find that Vogue always overestimates the fabric requirements. Conspiracy?
I didn’t put them up to it, I swear!
Love. Love. Love!!!
Sometimes I have a hard time picturing how certain louder fabrics will translate into a garment, so it’s good to see current fabrics made up. This translated beautifully, and I am sure you will look *gorgeous* in your new dress.
Oh, and Winston Churchill.
That CB bodice seam sure looks perfect to me! It’s nice to know that sometimes your machines misbehave on you (’cause it happens to me sometimes, too). I don’t know that I’ve ever tried lubrcating my serger with a shot of scotch when it chewed up my fabric, but then again, maybe your Juki had been hitting the booze before you started working on your dress? Maybe your serger was just SUI, Sewing Under the Influence.
Great dress, as usual! I’m sorry about your Juki, what a bummer! I have so many knits on my “wish to sew” list, I really need to get more comfortable with my coverstitch machine…
Perfect style for you. It’s lovely
It’s a beautiful dress Ann.
Wow! Love this dress and it seem true that it fits everyone. I have seen it on many blogs and it has always turned out lovely. I will definitely make it as soon as I find the right fabric. Your version, with that colorful fabric and the pattern matching in the back, is top notch.
That is a great dress. I love the style and the fabric. Shame about your OL… it has had a good innings though.
By the hammer of Grabthar, this is one pretty dress.
What a lovely dress, it looks so very flattering…. and I adore the print you chose. You mentioned that you got a good seam match in the back and by golly you did, when you said the skirt didn’t match up due to fabric requirements my eye of course skimmed down to the seam… it still looks great, the bottom portioning flows really well even without a perfect match. Thank you for “modeling” this pattern and fabric.
Great dress. I bought that pattern a while back, because I loved it – not because it’s something that will work well on my body. A girl’s gotta have dreams.
Your pattern matching is perfect. If you hadn’t mentioned it not matching in the skirt I would have never known. This is a lovely dress and I can’t wait to see it on you!
Great dress!
I love it!! Gah. I admire anyone who can and does match motifs.
My serger has also been acting the fool on knits. There’s a quilt and sew expo coming up and I’m planning on test driving some new machines.
Lovely dress, Ann.
It’s amazing how great the pattern matching is. I really need to get better at that! Great work!
Galaxy Quest – nerd rating? I thought that was great cinema!!! Come on guys – let’s go save the termites – is often quoted around here
Blessings,
Patti
What a perfect dress for a birthday celebration! Can’t wait to see you wearing it.
LOVE Galaxy Quest — so many quotables! “And then it exploded!” “Have any of you ever actually watched the show?”
Beautiful job on the dress and great pattern matching! Perhaps you should try serving your serger a shot of bourbon to get it to behave…
super cute dress!
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The snaps are perfect! Great dress!
Ann, Love both versions of this dress. I’ve been thinking about making another one. Thanks for the encouragement.