Vogue 2067 Donna Karan

I've had this pattern in my stash for quite some time.  Last year before my sewing mentor passed away she helped me alter the pattern (you'll see why in the pictures).

I decided to make View B.  I did my initial alteration of widening thru the hip.  Here is a picture of the initial dress I made in a grey knit:

Front View.

This is the front view of the dress.  I got the fit down pretty good.  Of course I forgot to lengthen this, so it placed it at just below my knee.

Side View

However, when I looked at the side; this was just way-y too low in the arm and back area.  There was no way I could wear a bra with this (not even a strapless one).  Besides I'm not into showing that much of my back and sides.  

So my first job was to alter the dress in those areas, that means bringing up the side and back.  The key thing was to alter the side and back pieces correctly since the side seem is actually along the back:

As you can see from the line drawing the dress is cut pretty low in the back.  So off to do my alterations I went.  The pattern pieces for the dress are circled.

The side and back pieces was alter as shown on the picture; the light blue line represents the original pattern:

Back

Side

So I re-made the dress with these alterations in a black knit:

 Here is an image from the side, so you can see how much I raised the side.

The back has been raised considerably (now I can wear a strapless bra with it). And finally the front view:

Needless to say it lengthened it. Although it looks floor length on my dress form, its just above the ankle on me.  This dress was more comfortable for me to wear.  I still wear the first dress; but as a jumper with a t-shirt.

As I look at this dress on the dress form; I think my next project will be to alter it to my size.

Also, I made the dress a third time in a brown knit.

Happy Sewing!

Sewing Resumed . . .

Where there is a will there is a way.  My new table finally came last Tuesday. (YEA!)  In the meantime I made the Mission Maxi dress that I saw on Erica B’s blog.  The dress is a very easy sew.  I kept telling my fellow sewing groupies, that sometimes you need a quick fix.  And this pattern is definitely mine.
I’ve made this dress initially in a brown knit; which I ended up giving to my daughter because it was a little too smug in the bust line.  Then I made it up in a black/white knit for my self a size larger (size 14).  The fit is great, and this is one of the most comfortable dresses I’ve ever made.  I now have 3 of them.
It took me less than 2 hours to make.  I’ve already gotten fabric to make two more.  I added 8 inches to the length since I like to wear a 3 inch heel and am already 6 feet tall without the heels.  I left it un-hemmed since the fabric doesn’t ravel.  Here’s a picture of one.  I made this from an Italian knit. I love the fit.

The second one is floor length to wear with sandals.  The fabric was rather stretchy, and when I tried to do any top stitching the fabric tended to stretch.  So I stitched the facings by hand, and added a 2 inch wide tricot interfacing strip around the bottom, and did a 1” rolled hem by hand.  It hangs beautifully.

My daughter likes the dress so much that I’ve made  a shorter version for her in a black.  She says she wants this to be her LBD (little black dress). 

What’s on my sewing stack next?  Well this little number:
Is on my plate to do.  I found it on etsy.com, and knew it was me.  I’ve already decided to do it up in a linen. I’m actually thinking of a black and beige/taupe.  I’ve got the dress traced and the pattern altered.  I’ll start my muslin this weekend.

Vogue 7377 - OUT OF PRINT

PATTERN ENVELOPE


Front of outfit


Back of outfit


Fabric: Stretch Denim

Pattern Description:
Semi fitted unlined jacket has front yoke, flaps, front princess seams, collar, long two-piece sleeve with contrast, button cuff and button front closures. Close fitting top has front princess seams, invisible side zipper
and back eyelet, cording closure. (Also has pants and skirt)

NOTE: did not use the skirt from the pattern but one from BWOF magaine (will post review of that seperately)

Pattern Sizing:
size 14,16,18 (made in size 14)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
This is definitely an advanced pattern. For non-advanced sewers, recommend reading thru the instructions prior to beginning construction

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
All I can say is that I REALLY like this pattern and the fit of it. Can't wait to make it again!

Fabric Used:
Used a stretch denim fabric from my stash, and a grey cotton for lining and underside of cuffs

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I chose not to put buttons/snaps on the jacket, I think this made it look less casual. Also did all of the topstitching in matching thread.
I chose not to use the skirt from the pattern, but one from one of my
old BWOF mags (will post review seperately). I wanted a very straight/fitted skirt, that was very long. This one fit the bill.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, (just looking for the right fabric ) If you should have
this pattern, it is well worth the time and effort.

Conclusion:
I was really pleased with the outcome of this suit. I love the fit. Very
happy that I decided not to use the pattern skirt from the pattern; but a different one.

The top does have a side zipper, so I'm not tightening/loosening the cording in the back. I just adjust it if I feel it needs to be loosened, etc.; Most of the time the cording is never untied, so I've knotted it into a bow.

No Complaints on this one.