Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Revisiting Simplicity 1621

I made the high/low dress in this pattern last September, late in the summer season. Because of that it was hard to figure out if I wanted more of them or not. I wasn't even sure if I was at the tail end of the high/low trend or not. Since it was late summer when I completed the dress, I only wore it once or twice.

So this year when I moved around some clothing - spring/summer more to the front of the closet and fall/winter towards the back - I moved this dress up to wear. After wearing it in June, I knew I had to make more of these. It was so comfortable and fit the casual yet sophisticated style I'm still seeking. Because I made the blue/white seersucker one last year, I'm starting these with version 2 and 3.


Pink Floral Stretch Rayon or Version 2:
I pulled this pink floral stretch rayon linen blend from the collection. It's funny because when Gaylen visited the cave and touched this fabric on the shelf, she questioned that I bought it. She thought it didn't look like me. At the time I told her that it was for the grandbabies but I did secretly covet it for me. Fast forward and here it is...


Supplies ~
3 yards of pink floral stretch linen blend from the collection via Fabric Mart
2 yards of polyester fold over grass green braid from Daytona Trimmings
twill tape

Construction Info. ~

I did make a few changes for fit to this version. I hated the center front seam so I cut the front on fold. I also cut the front neckline a little closer because I feel like it's just a little loose on the original version. The bustline area was also cut a 1/2" closer to snug it up a little. Finally I left all of the length on the back of the skirt.

I sewed it up and added the bias binding to the neckline and armholes. And...the fit was still a little off...so I made some more adjustments to my pattern. I raised the underarms 1/2" on the front and back pattern pieces. Then I made snips in the upper armhole and folded over 1/4" and taped it down. Another snip was made in the neckline and folded over 1/4" then taped down. This was done to both the front and back pieces. I believe those changes will finesse the fit for my next one.

Unlike my first version, I only added binding to the neckline and armholes. I was going to add it to the hem too but thought it would affect the drape of the dress. The hem was turned up a 1/2" all the way around, pressed down and stitched.

A few more pics ~




Floral Blue and White Lightweight Crepe or Version 3:
This floral blue and white floral lightweight crepe was bought from Fabric Mart last Christmas. I know because I actually documented this fabric's arrival. Also, as much as I love this dress, it is an example of how taking a simple dress and adding a couple of embellishments turns it into a project! Cause this was a project! The pink floral dress took a couple of hours to make. This one has a good eight hours of work in it.


Supplies ~
2.5 yards blue & white floral lightweight poly crepe from Fabric Mart
2 yards ivory rayon bemberg lining from the collection via lowprice fabric
5 yards blue/white striped polyester piping from Daytona Trimmings
5 yards jacquard binding from the collection

Construction Info. ~
There are more techniques in this dress because not only was the fabric lightweight but it was also semi-sheer so it needed a lining. I puzzled over how to make this work and finally decided to add a full lining to the dress. I cut the lining using the original dress pattern pieces making it shorter by a couple of inches yet including the low part of the hemline.

The order of construction was:
~Sew the dress together
~Add piping to the neckline and armholes
~Sew the lining together and hem
~Baste the lining to the dress at the neckline and armholes
~Add the piping to the dress' hem
~Sew bias binding to encase the piping in the hem, neckline and armholes
~Topstitch close to the binding to finish off the hem, neckline and armholes

These are not difficult steps...just time consuming...but I think all of that effort was worth it...

Pictures of the dress...




Worn with a short sleeve RTW sweater




Conclusion:
I'm thrilled with these two new versions and I'm putting this pattern away now. It's time to move onto something else. I'm happy that I have three of these in my summer wardrobe. Although after seeing Anne Whalley's on PR, I may pull it back out during the holidays and make a lacy version for Christmas parties.

...as always more later!



38 comments:

  1. I love the hi-lo look and these look very classic dresses.

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  2. Both of these are just wonderful!

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  3. Beautiful dresses, I particularly like the neckline treatment on the blue floral dress. Your detailed explanations of your fitting adjustments are very helpful. Thank you for sharing these
    Marie

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    1. Marie - I'm so glad that the explanations help you. Sometimes I wonder if they mean anything to anyone else but me. Thanks for liking the dresses, it is appreciated!

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  4. Both of these are just lovely. And they sing of summer!

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    1. Elle - I wore the pink one with a green cardi on Monday and that's all everyone said was that I looked like summer so thank you!

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  5. These dresses just scream summer! You look great!

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    1. Sue - yes they do! And both fabrics are from Fabric Mart. I have so many pretties from them! Thanks for the compliment.

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  6. he large blue floral print is my fav. All your fit tweaking pays off! Karen

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    1. Karen - the blue is my favorite too and I really enjoyed making it. Sometimes the sewing is a sludge, you're just trying to get to the end of the project, but this one was a pure joy to sew!

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  7. The blue and white looks stunning - definitely worth the extra time. I love blue and white prints for summer!

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    1. joen - I love blue and white prints too! I have a few more and I try to buy them whenever I find a special one. Those prints just seem timeless. Thanks for liking the blue/white dress, it is pretty special.

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  8. The hi-lo look is great on you! I love the breezy, flowing feel of both dresses. Thanks for all the detail on your construction. Teaches me so much….

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    1. Golden Star - so glad you appreciate the detail. I never know if people just breeze by it to get to the pictures so thanks for that!

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  9. Oh I love how that gorgeous hi-low skirt bells out on the blue and white version-yes, the extra steps were tedious, but lining it really gave it the body it needs to bell out and be all girliefied! :D

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    1. Schmoomom - the fabric before the lining had a nice drape but I really think it's the piping and the binding on the hemline that makes it flow like that...so definitely worth the extra steps!

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  10. I think you're hitting your new style stride!

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    1. Elle - right?! I finally think I know who I want to be in this new life. But it's easy in summer when everyone is in dresses...I'm hoping I can take this new knowledge into the fall now!

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  11. Both dresses look so cheery!

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  12. Pretty! The blue one was worth the effort. It looks lovely.

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    1. Vicki - like I said earlier the blue one is my fave. I can't wait to finally wear it to work next week.

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  13. You look so ready for summer! I really like the blue and white floral print dress the most. I think the fit is better and the trim just the right design addition!

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    1. Linda - it's why I like to sew a pattern more than once. You can work out all of the fit challenges some of which you don't even know about until you wear a garment. I really want a lacy one for Christmas parties and events!

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  14. Yes, gorgeous! The blue one has such a pretty shape. Pink one is pretty, too, and you look good in pink!

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    1. Thanks LJ! Both are great but I do especially like the blue one!

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  15. I so LOVE the blue dress, and with the sweater it is so dressy too. I'm thinking I need to make myself one! Thank you once again for sharing your goodies Carolyn!

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    1. GrannyDebDesigns - you should definitely make one for you! It's a great dress!

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  16. Love that blue print! This pattern has really nice hi-lo proportions I think, I can see why it's a favourite for you.

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    1. Thanks Allison! I really like this hi-lo because it covers my knees - so many of them don't! It also has a great sway in the back which is cool!

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  17. The blue and white is my favorite. Nice for the hot weather and "dressing up" while confined at home. By the way, hang on to that mail box.

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  18. Ohhh i really love the dress, it's perfect for a summer like this.

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