Sunday, July 10, 2011

Vogue 1224 ~ Tracy Reese summer dress


The lawn Tracy Reese experiment is finished, and I love it!  I've already worn it. :)  I think the lawn worked perfect for this dress; it is lightweight enough to be drapey.  Those sleeves really need some drape too, they're voluminous!

Note that it's still pretty short, but for a summer dress, I'll show some knee.  I had to add a little splash of lace at the hem; once I added a scant 3/8" hem (the skirt pieces were cut so the hem was at the selvedge, just in case) it was still shorter than I felt comfortable with.  I added some red lace to the white batiste skirt lining, allowing it to peek out and give me another 1.5 inches.  I really, really like the red lace!


I went over most of my construction/alteration details before here, and the only thing I'd change for next time would be to lengthen the bodice another 2" or so and add another 2" to the hem (at least!), especially if I don't want to repeat the lace trick.


I didn't have enough fabric left to do the casing or ties.  For the casing, I just used some of the white batiste I had left over from lining the skirt portion.  (I should have taken a picture of the inside, it looks so tidy!)

The neck drawstring isn't actually functional, it's more of a decorative thing; you sew your drawstrings onto either end of the neck elastic piece.   Then the drawstring just ties in front.  I topstitched my elastic into place at the buttonhole (where the bow is tied) so it wouldn't be moving around.  Since I didn't have enough fabric to make the drawstring, I used some rayon seam binding in a mustardy yellow.


I like it!  It looks and feels like extra wide silk ribbon.

Yay for successful sewing!


I've already dug around in the stash to look for fabric to make a knit version for fall.  I hope you're having a great weekend!!

25 comments:

  1. So cute! The fabric is fun and I love the lace. Great save!

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  2. Very pretty dress, I really like the lace on the hem. great design feature.

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  3. Anonymous10:59 AM

    How adorable ! It looks really comfy too, seems to me the perfect summer dress. Truly like it.

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  4. Very cute! I love it. You make me want to run right out and buy the pattern. g

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  5. Perfect drs for summer! I love your lace peeking out, great idea!

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  6. Great job and perfect for Summery weather!

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  7. Wow! That is so pretty on you! You did an awesome job changing it from a knit to a woven dress!

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  8. Oh I love the mustardy bow. It makes the dress.

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  9. I love it! It looks like the voile worked perfectly! I love the red lace, too!

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  10. Very pretty summer dress. Love the red lace idea!

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  11. Fantastic! I think the length is perfect for a summer dress. You could always wear some cute ruffled bloomers under it. : )

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  12. That dress is adorable! I really like the fabric you chose as well as adding the lace. Looks like you've made a wonderful, and cool, summer dress. :]

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  13. Super cute dress. I love the fun lace.

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  14. I have been trying to leave a comment ALL. DAY.

    ok fine, maybe not ALL day... but at least four times. Blogger sucks.

    ANYway, I was going to say, "You goofball, that so does NOT look like a preggo-making dress (um, unless by "preggo-making" you mean you look super-hot and men will fall at your feet -ahem-).

    Moving on... this looks great, you definitely should make a knit version!

    word verification: 'yerate'... yerate a GOLD STAR on this one. Hahahahah!

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  15. Looks great. Did you adjust the waist to sit under the bust?

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  16. What a great little summer dress. The lace on the hem is really a nice touch. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. red lace, red lace!!!

    this is sooooo pretty. successful sewing indeed, makes you feel like you won a prize, don't it?

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  18. perfect fit, and i love the whole vibe =-)

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  19. So, so cute! I love the fabric you used as well as the touch of red at the hem. So eye catching! Looks like the sort of dress that is perfect for beating the heat and still looking cute and stylish. :)

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  20. Super cute, love your fabric choice

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  21. cute. Cute. Cute. angi!! I love it.
    You look so cute.
    I love the red lace, too.

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  22. I think this dress is very pretty. The red lace at the hemline really makes it pop.

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  23. That is so cut on you! I just love that fabric. I wonder where you got it? The lace trim is a nice touch. Isn't it funny how sometimes our"saves' canmake an outfit?

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