Vogue 8828: If Karl can, why can’t I?

Chanel, dress pattern, Quilted fabric, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , 26 Comments

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I rarely leave the house in anything other than pants and sweaters at this time of year, as the weather makes layering and covering up a matter of survival. But it gets old fast, don’t you think? Pants, jeans, blah! I long to wear a dress, but how? I don’t want to freeze to death.

My dilemma was unresolved until, in a holiday-induced frenzy, I perused the Chanel Couture Collection (I can dream, can’t I?). That’s when I noticed that several of Karl’s creations were actually quilted.

 

 

Of course, the Chanel fabrics are so gorgeous, they could do anything to them, and they would be fabulous. But I was caught up in Karl’s message. Dresses can be classic and beautiful, but warm too! Needless to say, creating a quilted dress became my new obsession.

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The pattern I used for my quilted dress is Vogue 8828, a classic style with princess seams, a fitted bodice, a raised waist, and a semi fitted or loose fitting skirt.

I decided to make the less fitted version as I’m in LOVE with A-line shapes at the moment.

I used two different quilted fabrics from Fabric Depot, a black knit and a gray knit. Both fabrics are stable knits, quilted in a diamond pattern, but of varying sizes, a fact I thought would add some contrast to the dress.

I used the black with the small diamonds for the bodice, the gray with the larger diamonds for the skirt. I thought the gray would provide some contrast for the black. But the REAL reason I picked the gray fabric for the skirt was because of the selvages. They were white and tufted, perfect to use as trim on the princess seams and neckline.

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Or course, as I was considering this strategy, I fancied I was mimicking Karl, since he uses trim everywhere. But OMG, what trim! Have you ever seen anything more beautiful than this?

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I made my own trim by cutting those selvages off the gray fabric in 1″ strips. Then, (carefully, let me tell you) I cut them down, reducing them to a width of  5/8″, zigzagging the edges so they wouldn’t unravel. Before sewing the seams, I basted my new trim at the seam line. Then, when I sewed the seams together, the lovely white part showed.

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Honestly, without that selvage trim, the dress would have been (dare I say it) boring? Black and gray are favorite colors of mine, but they can be a bit dull, to say the least. The lines of the princess seams are the best part of this dress and I’m glad the trim highlights them.

Vogue 8828 is a winner. I love this pattern. The style is classic, but fun and it went together easily. There are a few pattern pieces to manage, but in this instance, Vogue does a nice job of describing the construction steps so that it doesn’t make you lose your mind. Also, the sewing required to complete this dress is pretty straightforward. If you know how to insert a zipper, uou can’t go wrong! My only wish is that I’d used a invisible zipper. Oh well, there’s always next time.This dress is cozy, so it will get a lot of use.  I plan to wear it to several wintery evening events.  I plan to make this pattern again soon, from a dressier fabric.

My conclusion? As usual, Karl wasn’t wrong. Quilting doesn’t need to be limited to heavy overcoats and down jackets. Now, if I only could get my hands on some of his fabulous fabric!

Have you ever made a quilted garment? Did you wear it, or did it end up in the ‘recycle’ pile? Happy sewing, and thanks for stopping by!

 

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26 thoughts on “Vogue 8828: If Karl can, why can’t I?”

  3. I made a Jasper dress from Paprika Patterns out of a quilted jaquard I got from Fabric Mart. I was unfamiliar with the type of fabric but took a chance. It was not as heavy as I hoped, so I lined the bodice with interlock knit and now have a very cozy winter dress that I’m wearing now. The fabric is polyester and totally cheap. It pills like crazy and the loose fibers feel like spider webs. Its a now a house dress.

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    2. A cozy house dress! Glad you figured out a way to still enjoy it. I’ve had fabric pill on me before. It’s so disheartening to have that happen after you’ve made something you love from it!

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    1. Thanks! I’ve worn it out and you are so right. The quilting is so cozy and easy to wear. Now I’m obsessed and will likely buy every yard I can find within 50 miles so consider yourself warned 🙂

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  6. I love the way you accentuated the seam lines with your selvedge–inspired! I watched that entire Chanel runway show a few months back and just felt ALL the feels about it–those quilted organza jackets!!!! The beading!!! Loved it.

    I made a quilted knit dress, but the quilting pattern wasn’t geometric. I do love the texture it adds, though! Maybe I should just make a quilted organza jacket like the ones above! 😉

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    1. The quilted organza is amazing! It seems like it wouldn’t be too hard to do :). I agree that this particular runway show is incredible! The fabrics are definitely swoon worthy and the beading….OMG It made me want to try to bead something LOL.

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    1. Thanks! Too bad I didn’t finish it on time for Designin’ December 🙂 The Chanel original is so amazing.. I had to try my hand at adding some trim.

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