This is a very simple dress featured in the plus section of the November issue. Something about it captured my attention and it looked easy and fast, a good combo for me since I haven't been sewing much lately.
I was worried about the neckline. It looks wide and low in the model photo. But I figured it would be easy to bring it in, and it was. You can just see the tiny tech drawing on the left side of the photo above. And in the photo below, you can see that the finished dress looks exactly like the model in the magazine.
This dress is so simple to put together. It's a 1.5 dot pattern, and only has three pieces- front, back, and a neckband. I really liked the loose, breezy top with the sleeves that gradually narrow at the elbow and the more close fitting skirt portion. I cut my "standard" Burda size- 44 top grading out to 46 at the hip. I could have graded down to a 42 at the shoulder, but the dress has such a simple, loose shape that I figured why bother?
I did add my customary 2" of length at the waist, and I added narrow bands at the sleeve hems... just because. The pattern calls for a simple turned up hem. Oh, and the neckline- I raised the bottom of it about 1.5" and brought it in about 1/4" the rest of the way around. Then I made my band 5/8" wide instead of 3/8. It's still open and easily allows room for a funky necklace, but I don't feel like it's too big.
I used this cool, black and aqua dot ITY knit that I purchased from Fabric.com a couple of years ago. I love the print, but when I got it I realized that the strong diagonal design could be problematic. I wanted to use a pattern that would let the print do all the work for me. I think this one works.
Long and loose is not really my thing. Or at least it hasn't been my thing. But since discovering that sometimes things work that you never would have thought, I decided to just give it a try. And I quite like this. It makes me feel long and lean, and I really can't argue with that.
And yes, you may be thinking that the dress is quite long. And it is. On purpose. Because I also wanted to be able to do this:
I'm not sure which way I like it best. It's like a completely different dress with a belt. The skirt skims the hips and the top blouses over the belt nicely. And it's still comfortable.
I can easily see myself making this again in the right print. I don't think I would like it as much in a solid fabric. Burda very kindly offers a cutting line to make this a top instead and I could see myself making that version as well. Maybe in a sweater knit. Maybe with a wide band at the hem.
So there you go. A simple, comfortable knit dress with two options for wearing. It doesn't get much better that that.
Oh, and did I mention, the November Burda was a great issue! There are five other dresses and a skirt in it that I would love to make. I just need to go dig through my stash and see what fabric I can match up with the patterns.
Happy sewing!
7 comments:
I think you chose the right print for this dress especially since it's so unstructured it needed an amazing fabric. I like it both ways but really like it belted - not that it matters! *LOL*
A great dress! I'm with Carolyn, I like it both ways, but especially belted. Not everybody (meaning me:) can pull off a belted look, but it looks great on you.
It is very pretty, and looks great both ways!
I like it both ways too. Gorgeous print!
-sewingelle
I'm still waiting for my November issue to turn up, I'm itching to see it! I really love that fabric, it's gorgeous. I think the belted look goes best with your heels and stockings, the loose look is lovely too but seems a bit more casual
Great dress. I love the whole long & lean feeling the dress gives you.
I like it both ways.
Beautiful colorway for you too.
You are fortunate to be able to wear the dress both ways! You have a choice that most of us don't have! You are inspiring me to add sewing for myself to my repertoire!
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