5.22.2012

Vogue 8380 - That Cozy Blue Dress

Recognize this little navy number?  I've already worn this twice for Me-Made-May.  It's just so comfortable!  Apparently, when you sew a woven pattern in a knit, it goes from 'yuck!' to awesome!  Allow me to explain.


I started this dress last year? the year prior? the day before we were to fly off to the Caribbean!  Yep, with hours to go, I decided I wanted a navy dress.  So, I scanned through the Vogue patterns (which were the only ones on sale) at Hancock and selected this one for it's cute, gathered bodice and bow.

The ribbon creates the straps and is tied in a bow to secure.
I ran home and started sewing it up in the only navy fabric I had.  Some cotton(blend?) knit that I had purchased from Hobby Lobby the year before.  (I thought nothing of using a knit for this pattern because, in my defense, matte jersey was listed as suitable and I didn't know one from the other.)  As I recall, it was a surprisingly easy pattern.  I used French seams down the sides and created the sash casings exactly as the pattern instructed, which worked out well.  However, that fabric came back to bite me.

  1. I used the recommended interfacing, not knowing there was a knit option.  The midriff does not give at all!
  2. The dress ended up waaaay too big when I original worked on it. I cut the dress as a woven, ignoring stretch...oops.

Not wanting to deal with sizing issues at 10pm (22:00), I tossed it in the closet and went to bed.


Luckily, the Sew Weekly "Family" challenge encouraged me to pull it back out.  My great-grandmother wore a lot of navy so, I took that as my excuse.  Fortunately, I know a lot more about knits now and was able to salvage the dress simply by ripping out the funky zipper and taking two inches out of the sides.  Now, it just barely goes over my head and is still a touch too big (both due to the non-stretchy midriff) but it's comfortable and I LOVE it!!


Do you revisit your flops or do they stay hidden in the UFO pile?  Have you made the same mistake of using a knit for a woven pattern?

Happy sewing! x
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20 comments:

  1. AnnabelleMay 22, 2012 at 2:06 PM

    What a great dress! I really love the way the ribbon creates the straps and ties in a sweet bow. The two navies go really well together, I find that navy is one of the most difficult colors to match if you can't get an exact match.

    I haven't been sewing very long so I only have one flop - the plaid sundress I posted about a month ago. I will revisit it, I just need make a few more things that I am happy with first ;p

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    1. JenniferJune 4, 2012 at 1:08 PM

      Thanks, Annabelle! As I recall, this was the only ribbon I could find that matched. It was a touch wider than I would have liked but, you're right about navy being a difficult color.

      I'm glad you plan to revisit the plaid dress. It certainly has potential :-) I can't blame you for wanting a few successes first, though. Your floral sundress definitely counts as a win!!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 22, 2012 at 2:18 PM

    This is so cute! I really, really like it! I've got a couple of flops in a pile waiting to be rescued. One of these days! :)

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    1. JenniferJune 4, 2012 at 1:09 PM

      Aww, thank you, Ginger! Hehe - I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with a pile. At least we have good intentions to rescue them :-)

      Delete
  3. Sassy May 22, 2012 at 2:45 PM

    Looks great. I love blue anyway.

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    1. JenniferJune 4, 2012 at 1:10 PM

      Thanks! Blue is definitely one of my favorite colors.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousMay 22, 2012 at 8:31 PM

    What a cute dress! I'm glad you were able to make it work.

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  5. NeenoMay 23, 2012 at 5:31 AM

    so cute!!!!! my controlling and OCD personality does not allow me to have UFOs!! :/

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    1. JenniferJune 4, 2012 at 1:11 PM

      Thank you, Neeno! Good for you! I admire your determination to finish each garment :-)

      Delete
  6. MariannaMay 23, 2012 at 2:15 PM

    Yes, it's a lovely dress. You've got quite a wardrobe there....

    I've done the reverse of the problem you describe: I've cut the pattern down a size to make a dress out of jersey, then years later, forgetting, I've rushed into making the dress out of woven only to realize it's a size too small.
    One can always diet, I guess...

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    1. JenniferJune 4, 2012 at 1:12 PM

      Thank you, Marianna!

      Oh no! How disappointing! Could you let out the seams a little bit? Usually the difference between sizes is only 1/4" or so.

      Delete
  7. a.h.youseefMay 24, 2012 at 5:31 PM

    This work above the level of wonderful, because it is more beautiful than the original template, this means that the measurements as it seems in the photos in a very precise and show flow of the body, and especially the color is beautiful blue that fits the beauty of skin color white, the length of the dress is very appropriate, you seem in sparkle, you are a woman have the always beautiful surprises.wish you a nice fly to Caribbean!!!

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    1. JenniferJune 4, 2012 at 1:14 PM

      Thank you! Your words are always very kind.

      Delete
  8. quietandsmalladventuresMay 28, 2012 at 2:18 PM

    super cute dress, it looks cozy and very versatile as well.

    as for the UFO prob, i've got a couple of them in various stages of limbo. a pair of grey denim sailor pants (under my fabric stash cabinet) and a pair of shorts (need to loose weight to even think of fitting them.... oh non-stretch woven issues!), a dress (hidden in a box) that i decided i didn't like the fabric after all and just stopped even though everything's cut out and the skirt's finished.

    i've gone back and rescued a few things in the past, but i currently don't have the patience (or desire!) to fix the current UFO's. i've also thrown away UFO's in the past because they hung around so long that i hated to see them!

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    1. quietandsmalladventuresMay 28, 2012 at 2:24 PM

      ugh, i totally remembered about a pair of shorts i cut out but haven't stitched up yet due to slippery fabric issues!

      Delete
    2. JenniferJune 4, 2012 at 1:19 PM

      Thank you, Kristin!

      Ooo, the sailor pants sound cute! Isn't it awful when fabric issues cause a garment to go unfinished. I've been guilty of them same. I can't blame you for putting them off - those types of projects will certainly require patience. It's just much more fun to tackle new, issue-free projects!

      Delete
  9. Sexy DressesJanuary 8, 2013 at 3:34 AM

    This dress is very beautiful.

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  10. Lauren DigbyMay 4, 2013 at 2:28 PM

    It looks lovely! I leave my UFOs for a bit and after a while come back to them and they usually work out in the end :)

    www.ladysewalot.co.uk

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  11. JenniferMay 4, 2013 at 3:16 PM

    Thanks! I agree- a bit of time away from a project can do wonders for the end result (and one's sanity ;)

    ReplyDelete

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