BWOF 02/2009-124 : Lady in Red

I'm such a sucker for a red dress...

This is BWOF 02/2009-124 again, this time made from a lipstick red ponte knit from Fabric Mart.  I wear this version all the time, but the wide stripes make it feel a bit casual, so I decided I wanted a dressier one for church and other occasions.  And in case you don't have my due date stenciled somewhere (and why don't you??), I am 21 weeks in these pictures.  More than halfway!!

This time to ramp up the dressy factor, I avoided any topstitching, so the neckline is finished with a self fabric band and the hems are hand blindstitched, which is soooo easy on a double knit.  I think it has a nice va-va-voom factor on it's own, but maybe a skinny black belt with a bow at the empire waist?  What say you?

I was also inspired by Amber's awesome knit dress, and I explored some of the other stretch stitches that my machine offers.  Usually when I sew knits I stick with the straight lightning stitch or the triple stitch, but check this out...

This awesome stitch combines the straight triple stitch, which has a ton of stretch, with a quick overcast every third stitch!  So it seams and finishes the edges in one step, while still retaining elasticity and giving a smooth seam on the outside!  I don't have a serger, so I am loving this!  I can't wait to try it out on some less stable knits and see how it performs.

BWOF 02/2009-124

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...