Thursday, September 14, 2017

New Look 6340 in StyleMaker Fabrics Denim

I've been saving denim dresses on Pinterest for awhile. Every now and then I go back through the file and review what I've saved.  Looking at the images in the file, I really wanted to use the New Look pattern to make a denim version of the dress with a few updates.


Fabric ~
Midweight denim with a little stretch purchased from StyleMaker Fabrics last fall. Here is one and another one similar to what I bought.

Notions ~
2 7/8" orange & metal buttons from the collection
22" blue invisible zipper

One more thing to note, everything to make this dress came from the Sewing Cave, the fabric and the notions. It thrilled me that it all was in the cave. I'm trying harder to use the items stored in the sewing cave for my fall/winter sewing.

Construction ~
The pattern alterations that I made to the pattern are the same as I made for the border print version. This time instead of making the alterations directly onto the fabric, I made the adjustments to the pattern pieces.

The hemline was lengthened for the front and back pattern pieces by 2". The shorter length works for summer but since this is a fall version, I wanted just a little more length on the dress.

Then I added the pockets to this one since I hadn't used them in the prior versions. Buttons were added to the pockets along with topstitching to highlight the pockets.


This version definitely needed the invisible zipper I added to the back. It makes getting into and out of the dress easier and the loop/button closure isn't appropriate for a fall dress, in my opinion.

Also all of the seams were topstitched except for applying the pocket to the dress and around the invisible zipper.  I used the triple stitch lengthened to a 5 on my Janome 8900 QCP. I wanted the topstitching to look similar to what's on jeans.

A few pictures of the dress ~





Conclusion ~
I love this dress pattern. My three other versions were perfect summer wears and I'm glad I was able to figure out a way to use the pattern for fall. I also loved making this one because even though it's a simple silhouette, the changes made it a more substantial sew. Also I got to work out some design issues that intrigued me creatively. Added up, all of these factors made this a favorite sew. It also fits into my work wardrobe and the style of dressing I'm sewing/wearing now.

Of course now I'm thinking of other ways I could work with this silhouette to make a few more dresses for fall. This was the first garment completed during my end of summer/Labor Day weekend sewfest.

As I stated before, the fabric for this dress was purchased from Style Maker Fabrics. Michelle has a great selection of denim in various weights. You can see her denim selection here. I've purchased a few more pieces of denim from them so look for more garments this fall/winter made using Style Maker Fabrics.

If you're interested in purchasing any of the amazing fabric from Style Maker Fabrics, use the discount code - DIARY17 - to receive a 10% discount off your order. Don't forget that Michelle is matching discount amounts to give to local charities for hurricane relief. The discount is good until Saturday, September 16th at midnight PST.


HAPPY NATIONAL SEWING MONTH!





34 comments:

  1. Wow! The dress is fantastic. You look very stylish. In the firmer fabric you get a stronger silhouette. Stunning and inspirational.

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    1. Isn't it amazing how each piece of fabric gave the pattern a different look? I love that!

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  2. Super elegant! Great details.

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  3. Love this dress with the topstitching and those pockets! Looks great on you!

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  4. Denim is such a classic, you can't go wrong . The swingy style looks comfy and the buttons and top stitching make it extra special.

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  5. Your added details are always right on. Great looking dress.

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  6. Great silhouette and I LOVE the pockets!

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  7. That dress is fabulous! I love those pocket details. :)

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  8. Great looking denim dress! The addition of top stitching, pocket detail really make it look stylish and complete. Enjoy your blog - keep it up!!! Many thanks!

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  9. Lovely! ..... And those pockets!!

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  10. It looks great on you! I love those pockets! What a cool detail. And hooray for sewing from stash!!

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  11. I really like this. seemingly simple to the eye, but great, quality work

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    1. Tasha - I love simple designs with details that make you look again. One of the designers I used to love before he retired was Calvin Klein. He made such gorgeous simply shaped pieces.

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  12. Love this dress on you. Pockets are great and so is the length.

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  13. Love the dress, and equally love the pockets!

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  14. Better than RTW! Something that beautiful (and detailed) in the stores--never, especially in plus sizes. It looks so good on you!

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    1. Robin - you're right you don't find details like this in plus sizes in RTW - another reason why I sew!

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  15. This is really a lovely look and your workmanship is excellent. Good job!

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  16. Great looking dress and the topstitching and pockets are wonderful details.

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  17. Effortless chic with the coolest pockets ever! Classic denim with classic shape and your smile says it all!

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  18. Oh, I like the shape of this dress on you! The denim looks so sharp, but I also really liked the border print version. I could picture using this pattern for a swingy top, and maybe lengthened to maxi length.

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    1. I think it might make a great top but as I see it maxi length in my head it just looks like a big house dress...not appealing to me! I will probably make it at least one more time. Next one will have long sleeves and a zipper in the front seam for winter just haven't picked a fabric for it yet.

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  19. I'm always fascinated to see how just changing the fabric and a few small details can completely change the look of a pattern, this is clearly a very versatile one! Love the pocket detail.

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  20. A beautiful dress and cool pockets!!

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  21. Really lovely! Fabulous pockets.

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  22. Another successful dress--I can really see this pattern working in a superfine wool for winter with tights as well. And I adore the pockets. Abbey

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  23. I love this version. I would love to make one just like it but would love to use a rust colored denim.

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  24. I love this. It looks really wearable but also elegant. You also look really happy in it.

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  25. ooh! The top stitching and pockets really make this dress! Love!

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  26. I love denim dresses... going to check out your Pinterest page. And the pockets on this dress!! Love the details and the silhouette.

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  27. This is so fabulous on you! You have inspired me to buy this pattern and make. Wow!!!!

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  28. Great dress, Carolyn. Looking good lady. Like others have stated, I love the details of the pockets.

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