Vogue 7994 - Brown really is the new black!

Well it's finished...

And once I added accessories to it, I liked it a whole lot better...

So here's some stats:

Pattern:

Vogue 7994 - Close fitting (at bust) below mid-knee, A-line dress has princess seams, raised neckline at back, sleeves and back zipper closure.

Fabric Used:

A midweight doubleknit purchased from Fabric Mart

Notions:

22" invisible zipper

Pattern Alterations:

As I stated before, I didn't really have to do as many alterations to the pattern as I thought I would...some very simple ones and the princess lines really made this dress pattern a dream to work with...

~I added 1/2" to the all of the pattern pieces at the seam line except for the back piece where I added a full inch to the center back seam.

~To handle my bicep issues, I cut the sleeve pattern in half and added 5/8" seam allowances as well as 2" to the bicep area gradually easing this amount into the top and bottom of the sleeve

~Most of the alterations were made to the front pieces because that's where I needed the ease to cover my abdomen

And that's about it...simple alterations on a classically beautiful dress.

Construction Techniques:

~Since I added a seam to the sleeve, I omitted the v-insert and made the sleeves a little shorter. I also added three rows of topstitching to the sleeve hem to give it a little detail.

~Also since it was a knit, I added two rows of topstitching to the dress hem.

~The original neckline was just a little too low for a work dress, so I sewed the v-neckline about 1.5" higher.

What I would do differently next time?

~Add some more length to the hemline...I am using only 1/2" turnup and I would have liked at least a full inch for the hem.

~Change my shoulder width before putting the dress together...I ended up changing that at the end and it would be a much more effective change if I handled it at the princess seams instead of at the end of the armhole.

Will I make it again?

Of course! I already have some black wool crepe and a beautiful cadet blue wool crepe earmarked from the collection for more dresses. I will add lining to these because this is the perfect work dress. Lots of style, no fiddle factor and sophisticated and polished...something I can wear without a jacket and still look like me!

I have to admit that after I inserted the sleeves the first time and before I added accessories, I did lose my confidence in the dress. However, after adding hair & make-up and accessories, I can see the attractiveness of the dress again!

So next up...the cardigan and twinset from the "Grayed Affair" collection.

It's Saturday...

...and no I haven't fallen off the face of the earth! *LOL* Just with life things happening and my job and the economic crisis that has befallen Wall Street this week...haven't thought much about sewing...I am among the lucky few STILL working in the financial industry this week...*sigh*




So today, I am going to alter my dress (Vogue 7994) and hopefully have pictures of the finished garment to share later on...I have a refashioned item I also want to work on this weekend and that will probably be it...cause my sofa is scheduled to be delivered next week so the living room needs to be cleaned out...


More later...

Vogue 7994 Update

First let me say that I love this dress...and I love the princess seaming and how it shapes the dress and how it makes me look slim...not skinny...not unlike myself...it just slims my bodaciousness!

So as of last night I had the dress all put together...no hems on the sleeves or the bottom of the dress...and the back facing wasn't in. Tried it on and WTH was up with the shoulder seams and the sleeves? Now, I tried the dress on prior to putting in the sleeves and didn't see any issues then...but there are issues now...so I will need to unpick some seams and fix the shoulder seams and the sleeves...

Now, I know that I've confessed that I don't do great invisible zippers...but I've made it a goal to put one in every item I'm making lately so that I will become more proficient. This is the best one I've done so far...

Not 100% perfect but enough to encourage me to keep on keepin' on! *LOL* And the person who looked at my zipper and told me what to do with them...my daughter! Yeap...the child told me I was missing a step...told me what to do and then proofed my work! *LOL* I felt so proud!!!

I also changed the sleeve a bit...I needed more room in the bicep so I added a seam to the sleeve and space to my biceps which affects the v-opening in the hem...still working on how to finish those edges cleanly...

Finally the neckline on this dress was really low...as in a great date dress but not a great work dress...so I raised the neckline seam another inch...

As I said before, I really like this dress and have already pulled out some black wool crepe and a cadet blue wool crepe to make two more for work. I will change the sleeves up a little, add a lining to the wool crepe versions and add another inch to the body of the dress so that I will have a more substantial hem...because on this version I am only going to be able to turn up a 1/2".

I will have final pictures to share of the dress this weekend! All in all though it's a wonderful dress and if you have this pattern, I encourage you to take it out and use it! And if you don't have it and you're looking for a great dress to make that will make you look slim, feminine and well put together...this is your dress!