I wouldn't say that this project was a "perfect marriage of fabric and pattern", but I did make it to wear to the wedding and reception of some friends that are the perfect couple! Congrats Sarah and Eric!
The fabric was a "deal of the day" from Mood Fabrics a couple of months ago. It was the color (and the price) that sold me!
"Electric Fuschia" is what the tag said, and for half off ($6.99/yd), I picked up 3 yards, not sure what it would become yet. It was exactly the amount needed to make
Vogue 8997, and although I was tempted to make the typical black cocktail dress, this fabric just kept asking to become a party dress.
I picked up 3 yards of lining at Joann's and got started Tuesday night. I worked on it an hour here and an hour there during the week, and finished tacking down the lining at 4:30pm Saturday, walking out the door an hour later! Here's the inside of the bodice:
I don't think it was the perfect fabric for this project, though... I followed the pattern's recommendation to interface all the bodice pieces, but I should've also stabilized the skirt seams (at least at the top, through the waist area), as the puckering was really irritating me. It also wrinkled so easily... I knew that my back side would be a mess from the car ride before we even got there. This fabric is made more for blouses and tops... but, I sure did get lots of compliments on the color!
The pattern is drafted beautifully and the instructions are great. I only strayed twice... once for the cutting layout (they recommend cutting a single layer, but I folded my 3 yards in half (1.5 yd x 45") and fit all my pieces just fine (size 14) with all the pattern pieces following the grain line. I also lowered the center front neckline about 1", as I wanted it to be a little bit sexier. Once I had the dress layer done with zipper, I simply put it on, and pulled out the stitches from top down until I was happy with the neckline.
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| Please pardon the wrinkles, pics taken after wearing! |
The sizing on the pattern paper was accurate, and this pattern offers the "custom fit" multiple cup sizes for the bust. I made the size 14, C cup, and it's spot on. I hemmed it 1.5" and *love* the swishing-whisper sound it makes when I walk! I forewarn you to machine hem this dress, though... 4 yards of hemline by hand will be time consuming!
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| Back view |
I'm certain that I'll be using this pattern again in the near future (with the standard neckline provided), as it is a great dress for just about any occasion. It has classic style, with feminine lines (did you see the flutter sleeve version?) and was really straight-forward to make. In a "beefier" fabric, you could either line just the bodice, or forego the lining all-together and use bias tape to finish the neckline and armholes. It's winning pattern, you'll see it from me again, I'm sure of it!
