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Saturday, August 6, 2011
Vogue 8724
I've seen some great versions of this dress out in blogland, and I LOVE me a pattern with cup sizes, particularly a knit pattern. For some reason, I have more trouble doing an FBA in a knit than a woven.
I pulled out this piece of ITY that I have had forever. It was from my very first ever FabricMart order. I love it, but those big dots made me nervous and so I could never settle on a good pattern for it. I thought it would work well for this, since the skirt is such a large piece, which allows the print to remain intact. But since I hadn't used it in all these years, I knew I wouldn't cry too hard if it wasn't wearable. Still, I'm thrilled that it is!
The pattern is Vogue 8724, which is a Very Easy pattern with cup sizes. It really was very easy. I did a quicky tissue fit, and then fit as I go. I ended up making no alterations, and I can wear it, but a cami is necessary. You can't really tell on Sandra Dee, but the neckline is LOW. As in bra baring, and I wear demi cup bras. I thought it was going to be fine as I was stitching it. I tried it on before I attached the skirt and it covered all the business. The skirt is heavy though, and pulls the bodice down, which is something I'd only have discovered by making this "muslin".
The armhole is also a little low and overly scooped out for my taste. Again, the weight of the skirt worsens this problem, so it might not be as obvious in a firmer knit or in the shorter version.The cami covers up the gap under there, but the next version I'll raise and fill in the armhole a little.
Another thing I'm not in love with is the bust darts. I like the smoothness of the line that the dart creates, but in the D cup pattern, it is just to wide to sew without forming a dimple at the point. Several other reviewers on PR noted this as well, and converted the dart to gathers. It's a different look, so I'll have to contemplate it.
The back is completely fabulous though. I love the princess seaming that gives it such a beautiful shape. I didn't do a great job placing the print back there, but I think another sewist would probably be the only one to notice. Overall, I really love this pattern. I wore it all day running errands and chasing kids and felt totally great. The cami is definitely essential though, as Duncan seems to like pulling the bodice to one side. It's absolutely nursing friendly! It is a great shape and style, economical of fabric (the long version takes less than 2 yards) and an easy sew. With a few alterations to the neckline and armholes, I think it'll be great! I have this amazing border print that I'm planning for the next version...
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What a pretty dress! It looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteGreat job , you did did at the pattern placement too .
ReplyDeleteI love the dots and I made the same observations as you did on my version (ie, armhole, weight of skirt and dart dimple). Still it is a fabulous pattern. I'm sure there will be another version in my future. TFS
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment you left me on my version the other day. Your version of this dress turned out great and I love the fabric. It looks really great on you.
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice dress!
ReplyDeleteI'm unsure how to choose a size when using a pattern with separate cup sizes. My numbers do all fall within one size column, but I"m (easily) a D cup. But I know if I make that size it's too big across the upper bodice/shoulders.
Cute! I have this fabric, too and made a Maggy London (Butterick) dress out of it.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, my dear lady, you look amazing in this dress. The large dots would scare me, too, but you worked them perfectly!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very flattering dress on you! I think I'll add this pattern to my wish list. I have a hard time finding longer dress styles that I like. This one looks like a winner.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful print. It is darling - and super comfy I bet! I love it - congrats!!
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the border print version.
Oh, I love it - especially the back!
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful and oh so comfortable.
ReplyDeletei agree, it looks wonderful and comfortable!
ReplyDeleteI need not make your head swell, but you are a sewing genius. You make everything look fantabulous (I am copy writing the word one of these days for extra fabric buying cash). I may not want to wear everything you make, but everything you make makes you look either, a). beautiful or b). young and beautiful, which is something to say considering some of the stuff out there on blogland. I guess you just make it work a la Tim Gunn.
ReplyDeleteGreat dress, Katie. I agree, gotta love those cup sized patterns. The color and print are lovely on you.
ReplyDeleteFor myself, I am wondering since the back is princess seamed, if it would look ok converting the bodice ito princess seams with a scoop neck rather than the crossover. With the empire bodice, I'm not sure. I may have to try it that way. Thanks for the inspiration!
You look gorgeous in that dress. Turned out well. I can't remember the proper word but a stay from the shoulder to the bodice seam might help with the stretching.
ReplyDeleteI love your dress! Very flattering. I too have more issues with FBA's on knits. I need to remember that I may not need as much because of the stretch of the fabric.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely rocking that print & dress! What a great job!
ReplyDeleteIt's a stunning dress - very long and lean. The pattern goes so well with the fabric, it's a good thing you waited all that time to sew the fabric up.
ReplyDeleteWOW, that is cute!!
ReplyDeleteLooks cute. My daughter has made two versions out of this pattern. She's chesty and it fit her almost perfect out of the envelope. She needed a little more length under the bust but she's tall and a 38G so really it was an amazing fit. She didn't like the dart either so changed the second one to gathers.
ReplyDeletePerfect fabric for this dress style...looks wonderful on you!
ReplyDelete