I love this pattern, it is so cosy and is completely different in the different fabrics. The first one I made is from a sweater knit, bought from Abakhan at Preston. If you haven't been to this shop you don't know what you are missing, most of the fabrics are bought by the kilo. This was incredibly light so 2 metres cost less than £8 and is a fabulous duck-egg blue, my favourite!
I cut a size medium initially, and as you can see this version turned out quite loose and could probably have been a little more fitted. I found a vintage button to put on the neck.
You can see more of the details on the second version (which I really love). The fabric is probably the best quality ponte I have every bought. It is from Fabric Godmother, not cheap at £16 a metre (so much more expensive than the last one) but it is so thick and warm and I know I will get loads of wear from this dress. I think it would make a good Molly for those of you wanting a substantial version and I have already made a Coco from a black stripe similar fabric .... perfect.
Using a stripe means you can really feature the back yoke and the side panels, which I cut on the opposite grain. I also cut the sleeves originally on the vertical grain, only to find that the stripes now followed the shoulder stripes and that wasn't what I wanted. The back yoke was a little fiddly but I love this extra detail. The collar is pretty easy to achieve, the hardest bit making sure you stretch it just right.
I also love the dropped sleeves (makes fitting for those of us with narrow shoulder easier). Because of the roominess of the first version I cut it a little smaller .... mistake! The fabric made the fit completely different and it was much tighter, so I ended up with a 3/8" seam rather than a 5/8" seam at the sides to give a little bit more ease. This is my argument against toiles. Unless you use pretty identical fabric the fit will be different in any case. I do make toiles but so often you think the fit is OK and made up it just isn't the same. I hold a lot of store in sewing shoulders/any front or back seams and then basting the remaining seams to try. I also know that for most patterns I need to narrow the shoulders and the neckline (though not in this case), raise the waist, and lower the hem!
I will usually wear this dress with a belt, as I like the extra shaping. I wore it to the Harrogate Stitching and knitting show last month. My sewing friend Gary and I went and we had a great time. I spent a fortune; camel coating, dragonfly lawn, teal blouse fabric. My favourite stall was Fabrics Galore, I bought this gorgeous Italian double crepe, it's very busy but I'm going to colour block it in a dress with black crepe. I also bought some fabulous mustard wool jersey, but it doesn't seem to be on the website. If you live near Battersea I would definitely recommend a trip to this shop!
So definitely recommending this pattern and it is easily made over a weekend (mm a red one would be rather fantastic for Christmas and comfortable, plenty of pie space).
Both versions look great and showcase how a different fabric can really change a pattern. Love the different stripe treatment on your ponte version, but also how the plain one shows up the design lines. They look very comfy for winter too. Very tempted to buy this pattern. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, really would recommend buying this one.
DeleteYour versions look great, Maggie. I made the top in a stripe and tried the same trick to change the horizontal to vertical as you did. But I also made the same mistake in cutting and had no more fabric to recut the sleeves. My second version was the full dress using a sweatshirt knit. It is SO WARM! Too warm actually and will probably end up with someone else who feels the cold more than I do. But it's a great pattern.
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara. I think I'll make a top too and remember the sleeve lesson. I'm a bit of a cold soul so the warmth is great for me.
Deleteits gorgeous. love the dropped sleeve......and have just looked up the pattern.....another one for the wish list
ReplyDeleteGlad you are going to give it a go, think it is a pattern for all shapes and sizes.
DeleteLove the striped version! Makes me want to check out the pattern. The blue version looks sooooo comfy and cozy, perfect for cold days.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ebi, do check it out. I think I will use it again, fancying the top next!
DeleteMags, while I appreciate the stripes and the graphic details, I do prefer you in the solid colour and red for Christmas would be perfect for accommodating a large dinner!
ReplyDeleteOh yes a red one. Ive nearly finished my little red dress and I've gone for a dressy one, I would have got so much more wear from this but made in red velvet! x
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