Vogue 7994 - Brown really is the new black!

Well it's finished...

And once I added accessories to it, I liked it a whole lot better...

So here's some stats:

Pattern:

Vogue 7994 - Close fitting (at bust) below mid-knee, A-line dress has princess seams, raised neckline at back, sleeves and back zipper closure.

Fabric Used:

A midweight doubleknit purchased from Fabric Mart

Notions:

22" invisible zipper

Pattern Alterations:

As I stated before, I didn't really have to do as many alterations to the pattern as I thought I would...some very simple ones and the princess lines really made this dress pattern a dream to work with...

~I added 1/2" to the all of the pattern pieces at the seam line except for the back piece where I added a full inch to the center back seam.

~To handle my bicep issues, I cut the sleeve pattern in half and added 5/8" seam allowances as well as 2" to the bicep area gradually easing this amount into the top and bottom of the sleeve

~Most of the alterations were made to the front pieces because that's where I needed the ease to cover my abdomen

And that's about it...simple alterations on a classically beautiful dress.

Construction Techniques:

~Since I added a seam to the sleeve, I omitted the v-insert and made the sleeves a little shorter. I also added three rows of topstitching to the sleeve hem to give it a little detail.

~Also since it was a knit, I added two rows of topstitching to the dress hem.

~The original neckline was just a little too low for a work dress, so I sewed the v-neckline about 1.5" higher.

What I would do differently next time?

~Add some more length to the hemline...I am using only 1/2" turnup and I would have liked at least a full inch for the hem.

~Change my shoulder width before putting the dress together...I ended up changing that at the end and it would be a much more effective change if I handled it at the princess seams instead of at the end of the armhole.

Will I make it again?

Of course! I already have some black wool crepe and a beautiful cadet blue wool crepe earmarked from the collection for more dresses. I will add lining to these because this is the perfect work dress. Lots of style, no fiddle factor and sophisticated and polished...something I can wear without a jacket and still look like me!

I have to admit that after I inserted the sleeves the first time and before I added accessories, I did lose my confidence in the dress. However, after adding hair & make-up and accessories, I can see the attractiveness of the dress again!

So next up...the cardigan and twinset from the "Grayed Affair" collection.