I have not gone off simple sewing yet and have made my second version of Vogue 8379. The first one was in this post. This is not a difficult dress but it does take time!
This time I used a lovely dusky purple Cavalli jersey bought from Gardams in Brisbane. I never took to the dotty fabric and felt like some throw back to an 80's Osti dress crossed with an air-hostess. However by making it and wearing to a few times I discovered everyone was right ... dOH! the bodice does need lengthening. I felt I had to tug at the waistband all the time to pull it down (it sat right at the base of my ribs).
So for this version I lengthened the bodice by 1" and shortened the skirt by 2". (I felt the last version was one inch too long.) BTW - why do they have lengthen/shorten line on the bodice front & back, but not on the facing! Don't forget to lengthen the front facing if you lengthen the top!
** funny pulling on the back of the dress in this photo - I will have a look next time I wear it see if it always does this. It may be to do with the fact my back is broad right at my arm height but then narrows under the bust. I discovered this trying to adjust my dressmaker's dummy Diana. Is that to do with weight training?
The dotty one is due to be donated. I have worn it a couple of times and as it only cost $6 in fabric it has covered itself. It also helped me work out how to fine tune this dress so all is good.
I think I forgot to mention that I also made sure the pleats on the top under the bust went the right way this time .. why are pleats so hard to understand on instructions... pleat what way??!!
This time I used a lovely dusky purple Cavalli jersey bought from Gardams in Brisbane. I never took to the dotty fabric and felt like some throw back to an 80's Osti dress crossed with an air-hostess. However by making it and wearing to a few times I discovered everyone was right ... dOH! the bodice does need lengthening. I felt I had to tug at the waistband all the time to pull it down (it sat right at the base of my ribs).
So for this version I lengthened the bodice by 1" and shortened the skirt by 2". (I felt the last version was one inch too long.) BTW - why do they have lengthen/shorten line on the bodice front & back, but not on the facing! Don't forget to lengthen the front facing if you lengthen the top!
** funny pulling on the back of the dress in this photo - I will have a look next time I wear it see if it always does this. It may be to do with the fact my back is broad right at my arm height but then narrows under the bust. I discovered this trying to adjust my dressmaker's dummy Diana. Is that to do with weight training?
I think I forgot to mention that I also made sure the pleats on the top under the bust went the right way this time .. why are pleats so hard to understand on instructions... pleat what way??!!
I really should get on the bandwagon and buy and make this dress pattern. It looks good on everyone. Like the solid color and dress looks great on you. I feel the same way about pleats.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty!! I just love this dress, it is such a flattering shape...I have made 5 of them!
ReplyDeleteLOVELY! Great colour on you, and well done!
ReplyDeleteGreat dress - very flattering! The fabric colour is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI get the same pulling across the back (and I weightlift too - so I am wide across the shoulder blades, but tiny above and below), so I have been getting int he habit of doing a broad back adjustment (http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00103.asp)
Great version of this wonderful pattern; yes, pleats always cause confusion!
ReplyDeleteThat is really pretty!! I love the color.
ReplyDeleteI think you look great in either version!
ReplyDeleteYou look fantastic in this dress! That dusty purple is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteLove that dress on you. I made that pattern for my mother, still got to make mine.
ReplyDeletePretty dress. It's a great color on you.
ReplyDeleteAnother great dress and the color is lovely on you.
ReplyDeleteWow - what a fabulous dress for you! Yes, you could be a bit broader there due to the weights. I lift, too, and you definitely can fill out with muscle. The back is one of the strongest muscles, so it is reasonable to expect some muscle growth there when lifting.
ReplyDelete