I sewed something!! I know, I'm as shocked as you are! On Sunday when I wore my knit dress I had a minor epiphany. I've been avoiding sewing, partly because I'm tired and the pregnancy is kicking my butt, but also because I don't want to sew what I have ready to sew. Both of my current "In Progress" projects are detailed, woven things. I don't feel like sewing fussy. I'm in the mood for instant gratification. And so...
I made an effortless knit dress!! Yay!
Here it is sans bump. It is a BWOF from
Feb 2009, style 124, sewn for an cotton/lycra interlock knit that I purchased at
Fabric Mart. The pattern is drafted for a woven, but as you can see, works fine in a knit. I did have to grade it down to a 36, and I moved all of the darts to the side seams. (
Click here for a little tutorial on how I did that.) I hate darts in a knit, especially with stripes. I also didn't use the facing pieces, just created a "facing" out of a band cut on the greatest stretch.
What really attracted me to this style was the back. I love the vee! I was afraid it would be a little low, but decided to throw caution to the wind and sew it without a muslin, and it is perfect. Totally covers all the underthings. I also really like the little cut on sleeves. They provide good coverage for modesty and you can't get easier to sew!
I actually had a second reason for wanting to sew this dress. I bought a pair of maternity leggings the other day. I haven't owned leggings since the 80s, when I was in junior high, but I know that the 80's are supposed to be back, so I decided to go for it. Once I got them on I realized that I HAD to have a knit dress to layer over them.
I'm still not sure. I'm very much of the opinion that if you lived through a trend the first time, you are probably too old for it the second time. I'm right on the edge for this one...
21 comments:
That is so cute! I would guess you'll be able to wear that for a while, which is always nice.
the leggings are pretty cute and I can see would be totally practical. I'm with you, though, on not being totally sure about it. They're cute, though. I think I just have (like you) residual 80's emotions about the whole thing (sort of like how my mom was totally horrified by the trend in the early 90's for retro 60's styles I guess-- she was totally unhappy with my cateye glasses)
Cute dress! I totally understand the "instant gratification" urges, actually I'm ready for one now!
The leggings dress combo is too stinkin' cute!
It looks fabulous - I love the sleeves too.
You gave me a giggle with the reference to the "second time round trend" leggings - I actually don't mind them at all (but would totally draw the line at 80s leg warmers!!)
Maybe we will see some more knits soon?
Oh, very cute! Technical question for you - how do you move darts to a side seam? Do you just take extra width out of the side seam, or is it more complicated than that?
Your dress is adorable...you are looking so great and you totally rock the leggings!
Cute! I'm glad you had fun sewing again. I love seeing your creations.
Thanks everyone! I'm loving the dress, although it may never get worn with the leggings - too many flashbacks!
Retthi - to move the darts I did just remove the width at the side seam, but since the darts are shaped, I measured the total width of the dart at several points to make sure that the shaping was maintained.
Sorry, I misspelled your name!! I meant Reethi!!
It's so cute and comfy! Glad you were able to get some sewing in!
Cute dress. I like the "V" too. Congratulations two times: once for sewing something and once for the new baby to come.
I don't know about the 80's trend. Ugh. I graduated high school in 1980. So I lived through the 80's the first time around. Don't know if I can "repeat" some of the fashion worn back then.
C
It's really cute. I'm glad you found the time/effort to sew again. You're fabulous and I miss seeing your frequent blog posts.
I totally understand the need for instant gratification. Part of me wants to put the costumes aside and make a cute summer dress I've been planning.
P.S.- I'm only a year or two younger than you and I rock leggings all the time.
So clever to make that pattern in a knit. Everyone and their dog has made it (including me) and I think that's the first time I've seen it in a knit.
Maternity leggings can be cute! You might want to experiment with them at capri length, though; I think that's how the kids are wearing them these days.
Nice work and a skillful reinterpretation. Well done for sewing something!
I love the dress in a knit. And those stripes are very cute. About the leggings: I never liked leggings, until I was pregnant. My mother brought me some maternity leggings and they were the most comfortable things I'd ever worn. I totally lived in them afterwards, although I most of the times just did wear them like they were maillots, with boots and dresses.
Anyway, you look wonderful!
LOVE that dress, but I like it better without the leggings. Now the leggings are awesome too, but I'd put a shorter tunic or something with them - the dress if fabulous by itself - congrats!!!
Your dress is totally cute, and so are the leggins. Hey, people are sewing and wearing 40s garments,
50s, 60s. Nothing wrong with 80s trends. Even leg warmers, which I saw a lot of in the stores last winter!
Your dress is very cute!!
Leggings -- I lived the 80's, graduated from high school in 1988. I never wore leggings back then and will never wear them now! But, if you like them, go for them!!!!!!
I love the stripes! I'm kinda in love with them right now though I was in college the first time:)
Wonderful - and very flattering!
O.k., agreed the 80's were not the best of times in the fashion world, but I too recently bought a pair of leggings with movies like "Pretty in Pink" and "The Breakfast Club" in the back of my mind. I love that photo of you wearing them. Very cute.
Adorable dress! Looks comfy and cool and it's very flattering. I think I like it better without the leggings though. However, I think they would look good with a shorter (think mid-thigh) tunic style dress. Since you're on the instant gratification train right now, you could always whip up another, shorter version, right? :)
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