Ripped from the Pages...

I can't tell you when or where I found the picture of this dress, but I fell in love with it enough to store away for a later day.  I don't have an "inspiration board", but I do have a "Little Red Notebook" where I tuck away these types of thoughts.  After I came home with my Fabric Warehouse goodies, it occured to me that the grey stretch suiting was perfect for this sheath dress.  I had even purchased the perfect black stretch cotton to trim the belt, on the same day (from Haberman's though).  Obviously, this dress was just meant to be! (But for $425? Nope... mine was about $10!)

Pattern:  New Look 6643, which is a variety of sleeveless sheath dresses with different necklines.  I already owned it, and had it cut for a previous project (but hadn't used it yet).  I used view A (with a small cap sleeve to produce fewer bra strap issues), and made the belt separately to be worn with or without (get more use out of the dress).

Fabric:  1 5/8 yds of 60" wide grey stretch suiting from Fabric Warehouse in Warren, MI for $4/yd.  If you live in the area and have some time to kill, wear your comfy shoes and dig in.  It really is a warehouse, and everything is below $8/yd.

Alterations:  Rather than use bias tape (as the pattern recommends) for the armholes, I drafted facings from the pattern front and back pieces.  2" wide, I used my tracing wheel and carbon paper to make facing pieces, and they fit perfectly.  Beautiful, professional finish!  Of course, you could always skip the facings, and line the whole thing, but I didn't want to make it any heavier.  If you use a wool (itchy), you may want to fully line it.  Zipper weirdness happened, too.  I got a "humpback between my shoulder blades, where the zipper was curling and the fabric was loose enough to let it.  I removed the stitches there, placed the zipper further in (taking it in along the center back there), and the problem was solved.  I've only ever had that problem on a bias cut, center back zipper, so I was really surprised to see it, but very happy that I fixed it!

Notions:  Invisible Zipper at center back.  Seriously... that's it.

Skill Level:  For the dress alone, anyone can make it! There is a kick pleat in the back, but the pattern instructions are great.   For the belt... while not difficult, it was time consuming, and I owe a special thanks to Bunny for giving me some great direction to achieve this look!  I cut a 4" wide strip of the grey (60" across), and started at one end with a 1/4" wide stitched pleat.  Then I marked 1/2" away from that line, made a fold, and stitched another 1/4" wide pleat.  I repeated this process (for a long time) until I used up the entire width of the fabric (which was just a little bit more than I needed for my front waistband).  I cut a 6" wide piece of black, placed it right sides together with the pleated belt, and stitched 1/2" seam allowance along the top and bottom, leaving the sides open. **Make sure you stitch all the pleats down in the same direction at top and bottom!** I turned it right sides out and pressed it, which left a band of black along the top and bottom.  **Here's where the magic happens: Push the pleats in the opposite direction now, and stitch along the center.  Voila! Isn't that so cool???**  At this point, I decided to make the back waistband plain, solid black (phew, that was a lot of work!), so I cut a 6" wide band (60" wide) of black, and interfaced it.  I roll hemmed the edges, and joined front to back at the right side seam.  I used hooks and eyes for closures at the left side seam.  Sorry, I didn't take any pictures while it was coming together, I was just too excited to see that it was working!

Warnings:  None on the dress, but with the pleated belt... all those pleats produce a little bit of bulk, so make sure you've got a good fit.

Future Plans:  Leaving the black off at the neckline and armholes made this dress is a wardrobe staple, and I love how I look in it. Think of all the jackets, belts, and cardigans that I can top this with!  I want more in navy, in black, in ivory, in red...

And, thanks again, Bunny.  I couldn't have done it without you!