A new dress! I made this dress to try out sewing with the Babylock. The pattern is Vogue 1285 by Tracy Reese, one of the Vogue new spring collection. From the envelope: “Lined, mock wrap dress has collar, close-fitting bodice with bands/hook&eye, fitted skirt, overlay with mock band, belt loops, sleeve bands and invisible left side zipper. Darts are stitched on the right side of fabric. Lining forms attached slip with shoulder and lingerie straps.”
The fabric is polyester jersey from my stash. It has green and brown splotches pattern with golden threads weft in between. Unfortunately the camera doesn’t seem to catch the golden thread. The fabric is not double-knit, so I hesitated to use my sewing machine to sew it. Now that I have a serger, the fabric is perfect for a try-out!
My pattern alteration as usual:
- shortened the bodice 3 cm.
- swayback alteration
- shortened the skirt and sleeves
Now for the fun part: sewing the dress! I used my Janome sewing machine the sew the darts, collar, and zipper, the rest were made with the Babylock.
The darts on the original pattern are actually on the right side, I made them on the inside the usual way. I also skipped the lining slip for the dress as my fabric is not that transparent.
I didn’t follow the instructions for attaching the band, which calls for turning the inside seam allowance under and edgestitching it. Instead, I sewed the bands to the bodice and used coverstitch to topstitch them from the right side. I think it look neat! The sleeve cuffs were also attached in similar fashion.
I also used the coverstitch functions to make belt loops. The shoulders are reinforced with a strip of cotton twill so they don’t stretch.
I think wrap dress (or mock wrap dress in this case) always looks flattering for all body shapes. And since the skirt part is not really a wrap, I don’t have to worry about accidentally flashing my thighs!
Pattern is Vogue 1285, size 8 on bust and 10 on waist and hip.
It looks great! I like how you used the coverstitch instead of clean finishing the bands. And the print is very unique. It kind of reminds me of army print but way cooler
I LOVE this dress and fabric!
I LOVE this dress and this fabric!
I have this pattern on my wishlist so I’m very happy to see your dress. It looks great and the fabric is wonderful, gold thread or not…
The dress is really cute made up and I like the way you did the darts. On the outside, they look weird and I’d be afraid it would look as if I didn’t know to put darts on the inside. Darling fabric, too!
I have this pattern and was so happy to see it made by someone. It is so pretty and I was happy to learn it is a mock wrap dress. Your serger stiches look great!
I pinned this as soon as I saw it but forgot to tell you how much I love it. Just so beautiful and great to see that pattern in a print. Especially love that fabric.
i feel your smile is different, happy
i never see the colar before it
This is gorgeous! You always pick out the most beautiful fabric and the most flattering designs!
This is beautiful and I really want to make this now.
Ooh, this is so cute. I bought this same pattern a few weeks ago and hope my dress turns out this well!
I’m sure it will turn out beautiful! Can’t wait to see it!
Lovely! You just made me go buy that pattern (on sale at Club BMV til today btw $3.88). Beautiful work and I can’t wait what you do with that serger.
I always wait for the sale to buy their patterns! And I bought 7 patterns each time because the shipping fee is cheapest that way
Can’t wait to see your dress!
I think its just sensational! I love it! You’ve done such a fabulous job and its nice to know that you can for go the slip for this dress. I’m so glad to see someone make this up. Looks simply lovely! Especially with your specs! Gorgeous Novita!
xoxo, Sunni
Aww thank you Sunni!
i am so glad to see someone make this up. it is on my to do list for sure. it looks great.
That dress looks amazing on you and I love that fabric print. Well done once again:)!
Looks fab.
GORGEOUS fabric!!!! You look stunning in every thing you make!
Gorgeous, gorgeous. Very well made.
Love it! this pattern looked kind of “eh” when I first saw it online, but it looks so much more interesting made up here. I may have to grab a copy of it!
It looks great. I really like the way you attached the bands and cuffs, it’s a nice neat finish.
Yay! I have been waiting for somebody to review this pattern. I have fabric ready to go. I have a coverstitch machine on its way to me, so I will use your tips to attach the collar and bands.
Great dress!
I’d love to see your version!
Looks fabulous! How did you like your first serger experience?
I love it! Can’t wait to make more! 😀
Wrap dresses look good on everyone but flat chested women. I’m sure they could look okay on us but it’s hard to find a fitting wrap dress.
That is why I started to make my own clothes. Because of my small size, It is hard for me to find clothes with good fitting
i love the fabric! outfit looks FAB.
i think you have the best taste ever and i want your wardrobe, if you ever do a spring clean i would love some hand me downs lol. we have the same body shape and same tastes and i enjoy reading your posts. i use to live and teach in japan so its nice to hear little bits about the culture alongside my interest in sewing/diy. thanks for creating such an interesting blog to follow 😛
This is so cute! I can’t believe you got a serger that threads itself, I might have to get one now as the only thing that scared me was the threading. Too cool!
Then you should get Babylock too, it was so easy! I can change thread whenever I want