It seems ridiculous that I haven't got around to posting this yet, particularly when I managed to post the version where I altered the pattern to make it a top over four months ago and I made this first! I guess so many other people had posted this that it almost seemed pointless but it was the first dress I made for me, one of the first knit / stretch patterns I ever took on etc so I really feel I should include it.
I love the casual yet smart look of this - she looks comfortable and stylish. See below for how I look :)
So here it is:
I have to say, I really like this dress. What I really don't like, are these pictures. In my mind this dress is quite flattering, though seeing these didn't make me so sure! As you can see, I cut the dress longer than the pattern required and I went with the red like the pattern picture. I didn't really consciously decide to cut it longer - I knew being tall it might be VERY short if I actually cut the pattern length, so I gave myself a largeish chunk of extra length, with the intent of cutting off as required to achieve the same length on me as the pattern is on the model. In the end the ladies I sew with convinced me that they really liked this length, so I just hemmed it virtually where it was.
The side view...
My feeling in writing this is that I would like to make this again with some alterations. I think it is still too small around the shoulders and bust. I am not sure how to address this - I cut something huge like a size 20 or 22 to try and get the American football player shoulders and huge knockers accommodated, then had to seriously grade in the waist (literally inches from both sides - probably to around a 14 or so). I suspect that this isn't the greatest method of alteration and that there is a limit to how much you can cut big and then shave back without altering the look of the thing completely. I could also have spent some time fiddling with the cowl to make it sit better and leaned slightly forward like she is in the picture :)
So - no need to review the pattern as approximately 400,000 other people have done this. I found it easy and quick and I do actually like this dress (though I think I will shorten it). I think making it again in a different weight of fabric might be interesting, perhaps in a small scale pattern and with some additional though to how to resize. Maybe a winter version in a thicker wool type fabric to wear over long sleeved tops? Would need to be careful with the neckline there...There is a post coming on another Vogue pattern (8724) which is the most flattering dress I have ever worn I think - interestingly that pattern comes with cup sizes so perhaps I need to consider getting a bit more sophisticated and brave in my fitting approaches.
I still like it though :)
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