Pages

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.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Both of these are just wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    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!

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    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!

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    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!

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    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.

      Delete
  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….

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    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!

      Delete
  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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    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!

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    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!

      Delete
  11. Both dresses look so cheery!

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

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

      Delete
  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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    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!

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

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

      Delete
  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!

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

      Delete
  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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    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!

      Delete
  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.

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

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! It is so appreciated!