Sunday, April 26, 2009

Vogue 1091 ~ Tom & Linda Platt Dress

I picked this dress to make today because it's a simple dress with an interesting neckline that shouldn't be too hot to wear to work tomorrow.


Pattern:
Vogue 1091 - Tom & Linda Platt Designer Dress
Loose-fitting, above knee pullover dress has elasticized front and back neckline, short sleeves and top-stitched hems.


Fabric:
2 yards Rayon/lycra knit from Ebads Fabrics (from the collection)

Notions:
7/8 yd of 1" elastic
2 yards of tricot lining from Fabric.com

Construction Changes:
*I added one inch to the hem of the dress - making the finished length 39.5"
*I added a lining - cut from the dress front and back pieces
*I used a 5/8" seam allowance at the top of the sleeve cap and tapered down to a 3/8" seam in the bicep area.

Those were my construction changes...not many because this is a simple dress.

The tricot lining pieces were added to each piece when the elastic was inserted and then basted to the sides of the front and back pieces.



I did follow the instructions very carefully because the way you make the shoulder seam and attach the sleeve is different. Not something that I would have thought of but a very kewl designery technique.

You baste the sleeve to the dress from the elasticized neckline down to the side seam. Then you sew on the interfaced sleeve facing...which finishes the shoulder/sleeve and encloses the seam. I am simplifying the process but it isn't difficult. If you mark the notches carefully on the sleeve, and follow the pattern directions you will be fine.


The thing I really liked about this dress was the elasticized neckline:



A few tips and things I would do differently:

1. Make sure you choose an interesting fabric. This dress could very easily look like a house dress on a plus size woman. A large print/pattern or a very vivid solid color will prevent this from happening.

2. Make sure that you mark your front and back pieces during construction. They look exactly alike so I marked them early and had no problems.

3. Finally, I cut this too big. There is a discrepancy between the pattern envelope and the pattern pieces. The pattern envelope says that the finished hem length is 61.5" The pattern says its 60.5". I flat measured the pieces and found that they were 60.5" So I added a 1/2" using the pivot and slide technique for both the front and back pieces, which I ended up taking out in the side seams because it is a knit and has more than enough ease. When I make this again, and I will make it again, I will cut the pattern exactly as it is or a little closer.

I wanted a new dress to wear at the beginning of the week during the heatwave especially since "The Dreaming of Spring" dress is made from a ltwt wool crepe and would probably be too warm for Monday and Tuesday, here on the East Coast. The temperature drops back to normal spring-like temps in the middle of the week and the following week...so I will probably finish that dress next weekend.

I highly recommend Vogue 1091 for plus size sewists. The pattern goes up to a size 24 and is easily altered for larger sizes. If you are looking for a simple dress with a lot of bang for the buck, this is a great pattern to start with! Okay, okay, it's even a great pattern if you're not plus size! *LOL*


49 comments:

  1. OK, you convinced me! Your dress is lovely. It's refreshing to see someone wearing dresses.

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  2. I absolutely love this dress. I am going to buy that pattern next time I make it to JoAnn's It looks like someting that would be flattering on most body types.

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  3. I didn't bat an eye at this pattern, but you've done a fabulous job on it. Yours looks so great, I wouldn't have known it was the same dress!

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  4. You look fantastic! You made this pattern look better than the envelope picture.

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  5. Great dress and I LOVE the fabric!

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  6. I love it!!! That fabric is TDF!

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  7. I agree with Erica, I just passed this one by, but you look great. This might really be the summer dress I've been looking for. Now to wait for the next sale!

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  8. I'm thinking that the width was 60.5 not the length unless you are really tall!!!!!!
    It turned out so special and love the print!!!!!!!!

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  9. I love your dress and the fabric.

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  10. Very flattering, I think I'll pic this up at the next 3.99 sale! Really looks good on you.

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  11. Nice! This pattern has been on my list for a few weeks now. I was afraid that it would look too casual as in a house dress like you mentioned, but after seeing it on you I've decided to pick it up @ Hancock's next sale.

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  12. Wow Carolyn! I never would've thought this would look good on a plus-size woman but you proved that wrong. It looks great, you look great! This is a really nice print for you too. Now I'm going to have to go look up that pattern.

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  13. cute! love the print

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  14. This dress looks fantastic Carolyn! You're really converting me to dresses and jackets for work (although I'll stick to my jeans and long-sleeved t's for the rest of the time when I'm mum at home). Love the pattern and the fabric, very flattering, I'm definitely going to make this too!

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  15. Very pretty. You can sew a dress on the weekend and wear it to work on Monday! Aren't you glad you sew?!?!?

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  16. That dress looks fabu on you! And you're right, the fabric makes it special.

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  17. This must have been 'knit dress weekend' because I made a knit dress for work also - It's going to be broiling here. I used a Hot Patterns top pattern which I extended into a dress. Dresses ARE where it's at as far as I'm concerned for work; such eash dressing in the morning.

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  18. You are so right about the fabric. It really makes that dress! Like others, I wouldn't have given this pattern a second look based on the envelope. But yours looks fantastic!

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  19. I love this in a print. I might have to copy!

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  20. Perfect for a spring/summer warm day! You look marvelous.

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  21. I love that neckline too. :-)

    Stay cool, it's definitely broiling hot out there!!!!

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  22. Great use of that print! Love the neckline detail.

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  23. Your dress looks fabulous as usual. I love the elastic neckline and like that you added a tricot lining. I guess with this lining you dont need a slip.. The next knit dress that I make I am going add a lining also...Thanks for all the great tips.....

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  24. You look GORGEOUS!!! That dress looks fantastic on you. I am so excite; I have that pattern already. Can't wait to make it! Do you think it would look good belted?

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  25. not only am I loving this dress on you, but I really appreciate the thought that went into the fabric selection relative to the pattern. I love the line about how it could look just like a housedress if not sewn up in a dynamite print.
    You're rockin' this dress. Assume you have our weather from yesterday, which means that it's warm and windy in the city today. Enjoy your new happy summery dress.

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  26. V. cute, Carolyn! I thought this dress would look cute made up and you proved it.

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  27. Great dress from a pattern I hadn't even noticed before. The neckline is gorgeous!

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  28. divine, so is this dress. Congratulations Carolyn.

    happy week, Paco

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  29. Professional, comfy and great print! What more could you ask for?? Great job!

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  30. Loved the dress, loved the fabric. But I had to chuckle at having to find something not too hot to wear. I bet your area is like ours was/is. We were battling snowstorms & winter coats the beginning of the month and now looking for things not too hot to wear as well. ;-)

    -umjudis

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  31. Beautiful! I love the neckline on you. I can see you making more of these. Would be great in a "Pucci" style print.

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  32. Everything you make is stunning, definately this is one of them.
    Thanks for your comment on my blog

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  33. You look beautiful! Great dress.

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  34. Hey that looks great on you. But what is more beautiful is that smile you are always wearing. You look great in dresses and this is a great pattern. Looks real easy to make. I like things fast and easy.

    OK - now I need to contact Vogue to make sure they pay you a commission when this pattern goes missing from sale. From all the comments it looks like everyone's going to be buying it, including me. hehehe :)

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  35. Wow! What a fabulous dress! The print, the style, everything is just right for you. You look awesome.

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  36. Great fabric choice and the dress looks great on you thanks for the suggestions on the construction

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  37. That is such a cute dress, and it looks super comfy too. You look beautiful in it, kudos.

    Hugs,
    Lory

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  38. That dress is gorgeous! Love the print.

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  39. The print is perfect. I have this one in my pile too. I'm glad to hear that there's a kewl designery technique to attach the sleeve awaiting me!

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  40. Thanks for the tip about Fabric Mart. Don't know how I missed it -
    I though my list of internet sources was pretty comprehensive. And I love this dress after seeing it made up it is much more attractive. So when I make it I'll call it the Carolyn Dress.

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  41. I absolutely adore this dress, Carolyn!!You look stunning in it!

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  42. You look fantastic. This could be a TNT.

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  43. I have to say that I think the dress looks better on you than on the pattern envelope.

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  44. Great dress Carolyn, I love the neckline.

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