Remember this fabric and pattern?
Well I made it up over the weekend and submitted a review of the pattern to Pattern Review. I’m still getting the hang of that site. The other day I realised (lightbulb going off!) that the C beside your review meant there were Comments!! Also finally worked out how to link to my photos to get a bigger photo displayed, a lot of my comments were complaining, and rightly, that only the thumbnail photo wasn’t enough…! I think I might sign up for a bit longer; at first I just signed up for the free month trial and am debating whether or not to continue with a paid membership…
Anyhoo, here is my review of Vogue 1087. I know this dress seems a bit out of context for Australia, it being winter and all, and I still have some winter sewing to complete before I can get onto spring wardrobe planning. But I just went ahead on a whim…
Details:
Dress, Vogue 1087, cotton jersey knit
Shoes; Sandler, from the Salvos op shop
Pattern Description:
Fitted dress, below mid-knee, has pleated and tucked front forming wrap effect. Front extends to back at sides, back has zipper and hemline vent. No side seams.
Pattern Sizing:
12-18
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you had finished sewing it?
yes
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Steps 12-14 were a little tricky to work out. I’m not sure how it happened, but I had the wrong front lapping over after this stage, so I had to go back and unpick and fix this up.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I didn’t like that it would be very difficult to adjust to custom sizing.
Fabric Used:
thin stretch jersey knit
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
According to the pattern, the darts on the back of the skirt are supposed to be facing out (sewn wrong sides together). I don’t think so. Mine are on the inside of the skirt, where they should be. And I inserted thin strips of bias-cut woven cotton under the zip tape to stabilise it.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I would sew this again. It’s a beautiful dress.
Conclusion:
One thing I can’t understand about this pattern, and didn’t even before I started, is WHY DO YOU NEED A ZIP IN A STRETCH FABRIC DRESS? However I went ahead and inserted an invisible zipper as instructed. And now the dress is finished I can still slip this thing over my head no worries, with no need for a zip. Next time, I’m leaving the zip out…!
As I had chosen a striped fabric the biggest difficulty I had in making this dress up was matching the stripes up in inserting the zip, in stretch fabric no less. And when you factor in the joining of four pieces (L & R bodice and L & R skirt) all on your zip, matching the stripes becomes even more tricky. The instructions did say not suitable for striped fabric, so perhaps it’s my fault. But I really like the final look of the dress in stripes! And I got them matching perfectly, so it worked out.
Step 23, the pattern instructions say to finish the neck edge, you will also have to finish the armhole edge here, although it doesn’t say so…
Next time I make this, I will also either interface the back neck facing, or cut the pieces from a woven non-stretch fabric. This would give a better finished look.
Well I made it up over the weekend and submitted a review of the pattern to Pattern Review. I’m still getting the hang of that site. The other day I realised (lightbulb going off!) that the C beside your review meant there were Comments!! Also finally worked out how to link to my photos to get a bigger photo displayed, a lot of my comments were complaining, and rightly, that only the thumbnail photo wasn’t enough…! I think I might sign up for a bit longer; at first I just signed up for the free month trial and am debating whether or not to continue with a paid membership…
Wow, I adore this dress. I never would have envisioned it in stripes, but it is perfect. A real standout piece. Love!
Donna Karan really knows how to flatter a woman's body. The stripes give it a unique twist. Obviously Perth is not as cold as Sydney at present.
I love this dress! It looks lovely on you!
This is a neat dress. I am so impressed with how you got all your stripes to match, especially as you said, with a zipper too! Great job, fun dress.
Now this is the mark of an excellent seamstress, being able to match stripes perfectly in a knit and with a zip, not to mention all of the other pieces. You know how to break the rules even though it suggested not suitable for striped fabric. It turned out super.
Gorgeous dress! What a pity it's not easy to 'custom' fit. I just know it would never fit me made up right out of the envelope. Love the stripes and it looks super on you.
This dress is beautiful! Your version is much cooler than the boring white one on the pattern envelope. The stripes really bring the pattern to life!
Hi Carolyn, what a wonderful job you did! I looks great on you.
It could be just me, but when I see this dress on you, I think that the hem could be raised an inch or two. I think it might look even better that way. (Unless, you like it long like that. Then you can just ignore me… hehe)
oooh, I really like this! I love how the stripes give it an optical illusion effect ….
Wow, fantastic job matching the stripes on the zipper!!
I LOVE that you rebelled against the pattern! Go stripes, go!
I hate it when they tell you to put zippers in knits, too. I've fallen for that before as well. Never again.
Gorgeous work! Fabudabulous dress! 🙂
Wowza! Fantastic dress. In stripes. You're such a rebel. That's I love visiting your blog. Please keep inspiring us with your wonderful creations.
Angela
I love the title 🙂 The guards would surely just let you walk right out wearing this dress, it is beautiful! and as always looks fantastic on you!
Beautiful as allways. Your dress looks even more interesting then the one from original photos because of the strypes.
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