Friday, March 27, 2009

bwof 4-09-136

See, I told ya I liked this issue! I really LOVE this dress. It was quick, easy, and I can see it easily being dressed up or down. For cold weather, I can wear it with tights & boots, and a turtleneck. For warmer weather, flats, sandals, bare legs.


I used a poly knit purchased at Hancock's last summer. The pattern calls for 5+ yards...yikes. I never stash more than 3 yards, and I had 2 of this knit. I squeezed out enough to do the dress by adding a center back seam, but had to forego the lining.

This dress is supposed to have a self-fabric lining, and since I didn't have enough, first I tried to line it with a white mesh knit I have (specifically stashed to line knits with). Unfortunately, even though the two fabrics had close to the same stretch...they were different weights.

The poly knit was heavier and pulled the CF and CB to the outside, even after understitching. This caused the lining to peek out at the CF (and CB) about 1/2", instead of the smooth gathered appearance in the magazine & line drawing. Here's what its supposed to look like:

Next, I tried topstitching...nope. Still pulled the CF down the same amount, showing the lining.

Eventually I just cut away the lining entirely and did a binding around the neckline. I'll try the lined version again at some point, when I can use self fabric. I think the exact same fabric for lining is really key for this one to work. Here's a close up of the neckline, stitched in the ditch. It's not as noticeable as in this picture!


The sleeves are gathered & have a self fabric binding too. This poly knit was pretty squirrely, and my topstitching was crap! Luckily when wearing this dress, the binding actually turns under...you can't even see it!! (The trouble topstitching the sleeves was one reason I chose to stitch in the ditch on the neckline).


A couple of notes about this one...I cut a 48, but should have cut 46, possibly a 44. It's pretty roomy. In a beefier knit I would be very unhappy with it because it would be very unflattering. The neckline appears really low when you're making it, but somehow it turns out just fine. Like Magic! :D

Also, I subtracted about 5 or 6 inches from the length. I'm 5'5" and this is supposed to be "mid calf". It was at least that if not longer on me. That's a dowdy length for me! I used stitch witchery on the hem, since I was having trouble getting my stitches to look nice. I'll probably go back and twin needle it at some point, but I'm in no hurry!

I'll be making this one again! I have a brown jersey prewashed and ready to cut out, but again, not enough for lining. Instead, I'm thinking of lining the bodice but adding a shelf bra with elastic.

Meanwhile, I'm going to move on to another project...maybe another from April BWOF!

23 comments:

  1. Darling dress, you look fantastic.

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  2. Way to make the adjustments you needed to make this work. And work it does! That color is very pretty on you!

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  3. Great dress and fabulous fabric! I was wondering about the sizing for Burda, so I am glad you mentioned that!

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  4. Great job on the dress. Lovely fabric. I am not feeling the love with April issue. But there are so many patterns to make from Feb. issue that this can be a pass.

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  5. You are rockin' that dress. I just might have to add that to my list of "to sews".

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  6. Great dress, you are lookin' good sistah! So springy, and you look absolutly confident, so it must feel good, too! I'll add this one to my to-do list, now that it's got a thumbs-up from you.

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  7. Wow! You are fast! I just got the magazine last week and you've already made a dress from it! A very nice dress, too!

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  8. Wow! I love that bright blue print. It's great on you.

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  9. You look so cute! I love the print too!

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  10. Anonymous11:18 PM

    what a lovely knit!! I am so happy it worked out for you...you got ME inspired to make it :O)

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  11. GORGEOUS!!! You look superb!

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  12. Well, don't you look adorable in your kicky new spring dress!

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  13. This dress looks great on you. I would have never thought of pairing it with tights and turtelneck for the winter months but it makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the tip.

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  14. That dress is so pretty!!! You look fabulous in it. :):):):)

    Hugs,
    Lory

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  15. Anonymous9:52 AM

    what a great dress. Along winner from Burda that I passed by as a sleeper. To me the pic in the mag didn't do it for me, but you totally rock it! Yea you. g

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  16. Your dress is really great. You look fabulous in the blue!

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  17. Great dress! You look so good in that shade of blue!

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  18. Way to make it work! The dress is fabulous and looks just perfect for spring.

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  19. Ya know...I LOVE this dress! The color/print, the style on you, the way the color matches your skin, the way your wearing your hair with it, etc. And it's so figure flattering too. Are you sure you're not 21??? ;) .

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  20. That dress is pow wow gorgeous on you. You look great in that color.

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  21. U look great! it's a beautiful dress. I would like to try it too after seeing urs. And lovely fabric too :)

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  22. Super cute!!! I missed this post somehow. Anyway, I love the fit and color on you.

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