Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Vogue 8593 - Black knit dress w/ large pink flowers

My collection of winter dresses is extremely small. Of the 5 (!) I own, only 3 currently fit. The only one with long sleeves is my black funeral dress; the other 2 have 3/4 sleeves. Last week after a wardrobe malfunction on Sunday that resulted in my making the entire family extremely late for church, I decided I needed some new dresses. With long sleeves.

I have very average length arms. Since sleeve length has never been an issue with patterns, I didn't think to measure before I cut out the sleeves. They ended up falling right above the wrist bone, and the slightest movement resulted in high-water sleeves. So I cut them shorter, and now have yet another dress with 3/4 sleeves.

This fabric is a matte jersey purchased from Denverfabrics.com several months ago. (They currently still have some if anyone's interested.) I loved the large pink flowers, but had a hard time coming up with a pattern that was simple enough. This pattern does have a CB seam, and back darts that run all the way to the hemline. After playing around with the pattern pieces for awhile, I think I found a pleasing layout. You can hardly see the seams in the back.

Not being a huge fan of zippers in knit dresses, my first thought was to eliminate it. However, this dress has a somewhat small neckline, and there was no way I was fitting my huge melon through it. I opted for a short 8" invisible zipper to get an opening big enough.

Here's what drew me to this pattern - the neat pleated neckline:

Since I used such a short zipper, I knew the body of this dress would have to stretch over my shoulders to be put on. An invisible hem would have surely ripped out, so I opted for a double-needle stretchable hem. Not wanting a black seam on pink flowers or a pink seam on black background, I used both colors to sew the hem. It disappears at the bottom, exactly how I wanted.

I know there are lots of people that don't like facings in knits, but on this dress I think it's necessary to hold the pleats in place. I trimmed mine with black bias tape for a smooth finish. I also used bias tape to finish off the armhole exposed seam, and french seams at the shoulders and sides.

The back seam was covered with bias tape and pressed open, since it carries the zipper.

I'm off to clean my house from top to bottom. This is my 5th year to host Christmas and I love it! I did my big grocery shop yesterday and only have a few presents still to wrap. There is a jacket that I revamped and would like to show you, but haven't gotten any pictures in it yet. In case I don't get to post again until after Friday, Merry CHRISTmas to you all!!!

23 comments:

  1. Really beautiful dress! Your attention to detail is inspiring - as always. I find large prints intimidating to work with - you used this one really well. Love the hem.

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  2. Beautiful dress and perfect for dull winter days. Merry Xmas!

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  3. The dress looks great! I'm particularly impressed with your bi-color thread and the hem - look fabulous!

    And thank you for posting pictures of what the inside of your garments look like with bias tape finishes. I'm working on a skirt after the holidays and my goal is to have it as pretty and clean on the inside as it is on the outside. :)

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  4. Wow! The inside is as clean and smooth as the outside- what a beautiful finish.

    Have a Merry Christmas!

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  5. The dress looks fabulous on you! I have this same pattern in my stash...was drawn to the neckline pleats, as well. Now I'm inspired to sew it up!

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  6. A wonderful dress! Patterns and fabric like it very much. I love large flowered dresses.

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  7. Beautiful use of an intimidating print. I love it! Do you ever have trouble with your bias bound seams in knit clothing? Since the bias tape doesn't have a ton of stretch I wondered if it effected the stretch of the garment itself. It sure looks great!

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  8. The inside construction details of the dress are beautiful. Thank you for showing the inside. It encourages me to spend a little more time on the inside details.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  9. Your look wonderful in your dress. What fun. Merry CHRISTmas to you as well.

    Myrna

    - http://blog.myrnagiesbrecht.com

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  10. Stunning! I love those beautiful big flowers, they add a real wow factor. It's so difficult to get big prints looking right but you have cut the fabric perfectly. As always your construction looks faultless. I love it. Have a wonderful Christmas.

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  11. What a lovely festive dress and the fit is perfect! You did a great job and using 2 colors of thread for the hem was an innovative idea.
    Wish I could be there for the family party.

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  12. What an amazing job you have done on a seemingly simple dress. Love the flower placement, the back matching and even the hem.
    I want to thank you too for showing all the wonderful things you have made this year. I have enjoyed seeing every one. Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

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  13. Great dress and it looks wonderful on you. Beautifully sewn.

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  14. That hem thread trick is genius. It seems so obvious but pretty sure I would've never thought to do it.
    Glad those large flowers look good on your backside, not a great look for some.

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  15. Another perfect garment, outside and inside!
    I wish you a very merry Christmas.

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  16. Beautiful! I'm not sure I'd have the patience for that hem color change. Your stuff is gorgeous inside and out.

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  17. This is a gorgeous looking dress. I have this pattern and I was pleased to see how the pleated neckline really looks on your dress as opposed to the drawing on the pattern envelope. As always you do a great job with your garments.

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  18. Amazing fabric! I love the dress on you and like others am really impressed with your hem, I'm usually lucky if my single thread matches at all!

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  19. Great addition to your dress collection...now up to 3? :) Make a few more of these, it's a winner.

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  20. Beautiful dress, I love that fabric! Great work!

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  21. Beautiful dress and perfect for dull winter days.

    Work from home India

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  22. Your dress is beautiful and the construction details are amazing. I made the same dress recently. Yours puts mine to shame (at least on the inside). Great job!

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  23. Your finishing is amazing - your clothes are just stunning - Im so glad I found your blog! Such inspiration.

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