Friday, March 11, 2011

:: pins & needles - Vogue 8184

Vogue 8184
- An Unfinished Object -


My 2011 sewing resolution was to focus on dresses (and to attempt knits - attempt only, not necessarily succeed - I'm saving that for 2012). This is where I kicked off - Vogue 8184. My main reason for wanting to sew dresses is that I can't actually buy dresses that fit. Proportionally, I'm all over the shop. 

This is my first attempt at a fitted dress and also my first attempt at what I consider grown-up sewing. I actually got all mature and responsible and made a muslin of the bodice, twice. This, as it turns out, was worth it. I had to make so many adjustments to the bodice to get it to fit properly. I'm crazy happy with the fit. (It is a bit snug but the jogging regime I'm on should fix that soon enough). The only thing that threw a spanner into the works was that I made my muslin out of cotton poplin and then chose to make the dress out of a cotton that contained elastane...bit silly really, a bit naive. I needed to take it in quite a bit to compensate for the stretch. Fortunately, this only affected the sideseams. 

I'm yet to finish this dress. I still need to hand sew the bodice lining in place. I'm waiting for my overlocker to get fixed so I can tidy up the edges before doing this. I don't have quite enough length on the bodice lining to turn it under in some parts. I also need to add a hook & eye above the zipper. 
- Long view, front -
I cut out the straight skirt than added 2.5cm to each side, front and back, to create a slightly a-lined skirt. This I hope, is more suited to my wide hips.

- Long view, back -
(still needs a hook & eye)
My first attempt at an invisible zipper - far from perfect.

- Long view, side -

I know this this may sound strange, but I'll have to save this dress for late Autumn and Winter. The fabric in the dress is quite thick and the small amount of elastane makes it far too hot for tropical summers. Even if I start the day with a cardy, it will be off by 10am.

8 comments:

  1. Very pretty dress and cute shoes. Now you'll be able to whip up dresses by the dozen.

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  2. You've done a great job - it's a gorgeous dress. I love what you've done with the neckline and pockets (yay pockets!).

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  3. The dress is fantastic and really suits you. I'm in awe of anyone who can alter a pattern to fit. Looking forward to seeing the next dress. :)
    Anne xx

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  4. It looks great! A good fit and a clever use of the stripes. Amazingly good job for a first attempt!

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  5. You seem to be able to wear tropical all year long. Sydney is getting a little chilly now. Your dress is great - perfect fit and nice match of fabric and style.

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  6. Nice work! It looks really great - love the use of stripes and now I'm looking at it and wondering if I could pull off something like that for next summer. It would be height of summer sewing for us here.

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  7. It's so flattering on you - hello, what hips?? You look gorgeous!

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  8. Looks great. I just finished making this dress in red and white polka dot material and am also happy with how it turned out. I had to do a lot of adjustment to the bodice as well to get it to fit properly. I was thinking of making another version of it in a stretch fabric that will hopefully be wash and wear, so that's good to know about having to make it slightly smaller.

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