Saturday, June 18, 2011

Vogue 1250- My First LBD

This week I managed to finish V1250. I love this dress.
I used black matte jersey from Hancock's and took pictures at high noon so you can actually see the dress. I love this fabric, too. I'll be going back to get some more colors. In the meantime, this is my first Little Black Dress.


I think the finished dress looks a lot like the pattern photo. My skirt isn't quite as snug, but then I'm not a fashion model, so I think loose works better for me.


I wore the dress to work yesterday. It's actually probably a bit much for the office, but I dressed it down with the low heeled sandals in the photo, and with a simple pair of earrings. I got lots of compliments, and the dress was comfortable and fun to wear, so it all worked out. If I ever have anywhere fancy to go, I can dress it up with high heels and more dramatic jewelry, and still be comfortable. What more could a girl want?



I absolutely love the cowl neckline. Why haven't I made one of these before? You can bet I'll be making another one!


Here's the back. I cut a 16 from shoulder to low hip, where I eased out to an 18. I was worried that the one center back skirt seam would look wonky, but it turned out okay. I added one inch of length at the waist, but I don't know if I really needed to. When I first tried the dress on, it looked way too long through the torso and gave me an odd side sillouette. I ended up taking the waist in about 1/2" on each side to snug it up and give me some waist definition. It turned out okay, but if I make it again, and I'm seriously considering it, I might take some of that extra length out and see how it looks.


This was such an easy dress. All the blog posts and reviews were right about it, and I'm so glad I made it. There are only three pattern pieces, including the back neck binding, and everything goes together easily. The fit is great, and the design is simple, yet elegant. The only thing I'm not completely thrilled with is the finishing on the inside. My side seams are raw inside. No one but me will ever know, but it bothers me. Now that I've made it, though, I know what to do and my next version will be finished a little differently inside.

In other sewing news, I fussed with Butterick 5464 a bit and basted in some tucks to remove length from the back. I took out 1/2" across the shoulder blades, and another 1/2" across the back waist. With the original 1/2" I removed from the lower back, that's a total of 1.5" I have taken out of the back of this blouse! After I adjusted the length, I made the back darts a little longer, tapering them out better toward the hem. I think all these adjustments helped:




Yeah, the lower tuck is crooked (hey, it's just a muslin!) but the bubbling is gone, and so are the diagonal wrinkles. And I still have plenty of ease at the hip. Of course, the back of the blouse is now noticably shorter than the front. I have adjusted the pattern piece, and added a little extra at the hem to even it out. Now I just need to find a suitable fabric in my stash to try it again. Stay tuned to see if the next version actually turns out wearable!


So what are your sewing plans this weekend?

18 comments:

Chris said...

I am curious - how will you finish the seams on your next jersey dress?

The correct seam finish for jersey is
to do nothing.
Chris

Karin said...

Your new LBD looks great! It makes the most of your hour glass figure and looks so pretty. I agree that a little more fabric in the skirt is probably better than the model anyway.

MushyWear said...

You look marvelous in this dress! Love the shape of the cowl too. You are right about the versatility. I can totally see it dressed up or down. Way to go on getting the muslin just right on B5464!

Linda said...

Wow. What a great dress. I'm sure you will get lots of wear out of it. It's is incredibly flattering.

Jacquie said...

Wonderful dress. It looks superb and also extremely versatile.

KID, MD said...

It looks great!! I've been planning an LBD out of this pattern. Yours is perfect! I agree with you on the side seams. That odd dart at the hip makes them tricky. I serged mine, but the dart isn't perfect. I've actually been thinking of splitting the pattern piece to make that into an actual seam to the hem.

The Slapdash Sewist said...

Completely va va voom! This is such a flattering silhouette for your figure. Alas, I would look all belly in this pattern.

Susan said...

I like your LBD. I think this pattern is a perfect TNT pattern for you. I can't wait to see your next renditions of it.

gwensews said...

That's very pretty. A LBD can go anywhere. Enjoy wearing it because it looks fantastic on you.

Meredith said...

Love this dress!!! It's beautiful on you! Congrats!!

Anonymous said...

It looks fabulous. I actually really like it better with the loose skirt.

Adrienne said...

YOUR LBD IS FAB!!!! I love it.

Rose said...

I love your LBD, too. You look terific wearing it. The muslin looks good!

VictorianKitty (Sophistique Noir) said...

Wow, the little black dress is so gorgeous!! I love how the cowl neck drapes with that fabric. It seems that the fabric weight and texture make all the difference with that style. Yours looks better than the pattern photo, for sure. It hangs so nicely and hugs your curves! I'm not a very patient seamstress, but I might have to give this one a try. Three pattern pieces are pretty much my limit! ;-D

Cennetta said...

Fabulous. You look great in Vogue 1250. It's the perfect LBD.

angie.a said...

Beautiful as a LBD, but it would be so cute in a print too, don't you think? Make another!

AllisonC said...

Gorgeous! This shape is so flattering on you, it looks amazing.

Sheila said...

Hello Shannon,
First I love this dress on you and have been considering making this for myself. I have been reading the blog posts and reviews and see that the finished measurements on not on the pattern, how true did you find the sizing? On most misses patterns I cut a 16-18, normally wear a 10-11 off the rack dress, I find the 16-18 a little big in the bust, just wondering if you can advise...

Thanks for the great blog...
Sheila