My every-day wardrobe consists of easy-to-wear layers. But once I year, I have the opportunity to really dress-up. The choir that I sing with, Oregon Repertory Singers has an annual fundraiser where formal attire is required. I always look forward to the opportunity to sew and wear something special.
In past years, I’ve sewn cocktail length dresses, but this year, I wanted something different, so I decided to go ‘long’. Honestly, in all my years of sewing, I’ve only sewn a couple of long dresses. What?? I know!! If it isn’t time now, when will it be?
For the pattern, I chose Vogue 9311, a long dress with optional sleeves and ruffle. I love the v-neck line and think that it gives the dress a look of elegance. I made the long sleeve version, but shortened them to 3/4 length. Instead of cuffs, I used elastic to gather the base of the sleeves. I wanted to be able to push them up and away from my dinner:).
The biggest challenge with this make was the fabric. I love the look of this burnout velvet, but it really was tough to work with. The shimmer comes from shiny gold fibres that are woven into the spaces between the sections of velvet ‘burnout’ and they tended to snag. Also, the fabric frayed like crazy so I finished all the edges with my serger before sewing the seams. I purchased microtex needles which really worked nicely!
Even though the pattern doesn’t call for a lining, I chose to line the bodice and skirt with solid black silk. This really helped give the skirt more body and structure. The lining was easy to create and gave the entire dress a nice finished feel. It’s so lovely to wear! The ties are meant to be worn in the back, but they were so long, I was able to play around with the look, and decided I liked them better in front.
I’m pretty pleased with my new frock and absolutely love this Vogue pattern. It’s been in my stash for awhile, and I’m so glad I finally decided to make it. I can imagine a version for Spring, maybe in linen. I really enjoyed wearing this dress last weekend. It felt so elegant. The good news is that I’ll have another chance to wear it when we sing with the Oregon Symphony in April.
This project really marks the end of winter sewing for me. I’m really ready to sew up some of my lovely woven fabrics for Spring and Summer. How about you?
Happy sewing and thanks for stopping by!
This dress was a spur of the moment project. I decided the morning of an event that I wanted a new dress to wear that afternoon. There’s nothing like waiting
I used a medium weight jersey that I had in my stash (yeah, a stash buster). The pattern suggests using stripes because the design is such a perfect canvas for ‘stripe play’. I love how changing the direction of the stripes on the yoke really makes this dress pop! There isn’t a zipper to install…the dress just slips over your head. The neck is simply finished with a gand cut on the bias – so easy!
I’m so pleased with my spur of the moment dress! It will likely be my garment of choice tomorrow for the Fourth of July; Independence Day here in the states, since red, white and blue are the colors of the day.
I’m really in love with the Summer catalog for Burda patterns. There are so many great styles this season. This make and 
Since the pattern on this linen repeats, I had to cut the critical pieces one at a time from a single layer of fabric to insure that the placement of the would be right. Repeating patterns always make me crazy (!!) but I love the challenge they present too. I’m always amazed/surprised when it actually works out. I was able to get a good match on the sleeves, the sleeve band, the bodice and the skirt too.
I also have to give a shout out to Joann’s for carrying this lovely linen. Good linen is always such a pleasure to sew and wear, it’s the fabric I look for first when I shop. I’m fussy about the quality, and am really pleased with this particular linen from Joann’s. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have even bothered to look at their linen, but this year, their inventory is expanded and really interesting. I hope this trend continues!
I’m so impressed with the fit of this dress! There isn’t a gap at the front and the neckline is just right, not too low like some patterns. I cut the size my measurements indicated and it fit perfectly, without any adjustments, always a win if you ask me:). Assembling the dress is pretty straightforward. Unlike some other wrap dresses I’ve tried, this pattern has one long front facing which makes it easy to stitch this dress together quickly. The two front bodices are mirror images of each other (rather than one bodice cut wide and one narrow to make the wrap), so the wrap closure is secure and comfortable to wear. The sleeves set in beautifully. The tie is attached to the front facings before they’re stitched together.
I made my dress out of a soft jersey that I found at Modern Domestic here in Portland (also on-line). It’s the loveliest fabric to wear and sew with – – if only I could wear this dress all the time. It has just the right amount of two way stretch for the Meredith Dress. Really, any stretchy knit will do! I could imagine this in a silky rayon knit, or in a scuba knit too.
This new linen dress was inspired by the challenge on Instagram, the #So50Visible, created by the #SewOver50 gang. The idea of the challenge is to find a pattern where the photo features a model who is over 50. Sounds easy, Right? If only…. In my search for a pattern, I couldn’t find any over 50 models in McCalls, Butterick, Vogue or Burda. Simplicity had only two. I was shocked.
ing this pattern to life with a real life model who is over 50. And I’m so grateful to everyone involved in the #So50Visible challenge. It’s fun, and informative and it made me much more aware. Let’s hope pattern companies take notice…
