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*
