Saturday, January 19, 2013

Vogue 8742 - Copper & brown lace dress

Sometimes when I look through an online fabric store, I like to type certain things in the search field and see what pops up. "Yellow", "embroidered", "wool doubleknit" and "silk jersey" are some of my favorites. Right after I'd made my eggplant military jacket I did a search for "copper" on Mood's website, and it pulled up this lace. I thought it would be perfect for a little top to wear under my jacket, so I ordered 1.5 yards with no real pattern in mind. Surprise! Turns out it really wanted to be a dress. It's funny how fabric can be so opinionated sometimes, right?


I've been wanting a lace dress for awhile now, and also have been wanting to try this pattern, Vogue 8742. I like the simplicity of the design with the front gathers to give it some interest. I underlined the lace with a winter white ponte knit bought locally. Since Vogue didn't bother to include finished measurements on the pattern pieces (I'm shaking my finger at you, Vogue!), I added up all the measurements at the bust, waist and hips, and subtracted the seam allowances. I then cut a 10 on top tapering out to a 12 through the waist and hips. This pattern is described as "close-fitting" and it certainly is, especially in this stable knit.


I paid special attention when cutting this out that the lace lined up horizontally.


I added the scalloped portion of the lace to the sleeve and bottom hems after the underlining was attached and all vertical seams sewn. I then made facings for those areas, understitched them, graded the seams and hand-sewed them in place with a loose whip stitch.


I really like that this pattern doesn't call for a zipper at the back, but merely an opening with a hook and eye closure. I opted for a button and a thread loop.


I love this dress! It looks pretty on its own (with a necklace though!) as well as with my jacket that has matching copper buttons.

41 comments:

  1. Amanda, this dress has to be one of my favorites that you've made and it looks especially current with the military jacket. Such a neat combo of girlie and manly styles! As always your sewing skill is perfection.

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  2. Wow! Love this version of a lace dress. It looks great on you.

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  3. Beautiful dress! and I LOVE, love, love that purple jacket

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  4. Oooo, purple and copper, what a great combo! The dress is great, and I like it even better with the jacket. Nice work. :-)

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  5. The dress looks great! I love going through and seeing what you have made. I think we are similar in size so if something looks cute on you it generally works for me too. I just have to get as good at finishing as you are!!!

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  6. I love this! I'm still a little daunted by lace so I haven't attempted to make a lace garment but I'm totally inspired by yours!
    I love that you added the scallops in the end, I never would have thought of doing that!

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  7. looks lovely and very expensive. I tried that pattern and didn't have much success, I think the fitting was weird. You made it look great.

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  8. Wow! It looks great on it's own, but it looks fantastic with the purple jacket! The lace is beautiful, and I like the little back slit with button too. I bet I could adapt other dress patterns with a back zipper to have that feature.

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  9. Oh, this is sooo beautiful and you look stunning in it!

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  10. Very pretty! The copper colour feels fresh and unexpected too.

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  11. Beautiful fabric choice for this pattern, and very impressive workmanship!

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  12. Here is another fabulous ensemble!! I love the dress and the jacket! You are so talented!

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  13. That looks gorgeous!
    I really want a lace dress, hut need to learn how to underline first:)

    www.becstitches.blogspot.com.au

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  14. This is so lovely! The lining up of the lace gives a really polished look and the scallops at the hem and cuffs is too cute. Rad work :D

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  15. Yay! for copper lace. Who but you, you brilliant thing, would even have imagined there was such a thing? Very feminine without being excessively ruffled.

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  16. What a perfect fabric for this pattern. Love the scalloped lace touch you added!

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  17. Oooh Amanda, that's a really great look with the jacket. Pretty dress! I like the look with the boots.

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  18. Just such a lovely, ladylike dress...but not toooooo prim with the jacket added. Love it.

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  19. Gorgeous dress. I love the copper on white andhow you used the scallops. It looks wonderful on you but then everything does. I've made this pattern I love it. I find it very slimming.

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  20. What a gorgeous use of that lace! The winter white was a great choice for backing.

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  21. Gorgeous dress! I would never have thought to make a dress with that lace. You have great vision.

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  22. I ve found your blog today, I m stunned about your sew skils, I would like you to post more interior photos of your cloth, especially when they are jackets or coat, to learn! hope it s ok for you...
    (english is not my original language)
    I wonder how you learned to sew, and how you fit the patterns.

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  23. Wow, that lace is fabulous! And it looks great with the jacket - I love the colours together and also the combination of the super feminine lace and military styling of the jacket.

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  24. That is a beautiful dress and looks fabulous on you.

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  25. Very nice. Your idea of including facings was a very good one - it must make the hems nice and soft

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  26. how utterly gorgeous! And I bought some of that purple fabric.... it looks so good as a jacket!!
    Well done Amanda!

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  27. Amanda, seu vestido ficou realmente, muito liindo!! O trabalho nas junções de costura, coordenando a estampa está perfeito. Parabéns!!

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  28. oooh! I can't decide which is more beautiful - the lace, or the dress. And the combination is SUPER beautiful.

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  29. Olá Amanda, gosto muito do seu blog, parabéns pelo vestido, é lindo.

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  30. Oh Amanda! You are looking gorgeous. brown lack dress is awesome. I like the design & color of the lack dress. Hopefully the dress will give long term service.

    ----------Hasib Sarker
    Threads

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  31. Another stunner! You are so talented, and so lovely looking! Hard to believe you are a mother of three. Thanks for inspiring!

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  32. Not only do I love the dress but that jacket is to die for!! Especially in my favorite color! WOW, WOW, WOW!!

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  33. The dress is very pretty - I love that lace! And your jacket is perfect with it.

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  34. Your dress is beautiful, you did an excellent job, and that purple jacket is awesome. I really like it, but I am a sucker for a unique jacket and I love the color purple. It goes great with my new gray hair, LOL. I'm so glad that I found your blog, you are so inspiring :)
    Have a great day and keeping sewing, Connie :)
    p.S. I am having a give-away, pop on over and enter :)

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  35. This dress is an excellent example of how taking our time and paying attention to detail can produce an outstanding garment. The lace accent details at the cuffs and hem are perfect. Can't wait to try that on one of my own projects sometime soon. Thanks for the great idea.

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