Friday, October 24, 2014

October's "Fire Opal" Dress



I've fallen behind in my "Make A Garment A Month" projects -- August and September have both disappeared with their respective makes still sitting in pieces on the "to do" pile...

But I jumped back in this month, with Sarah Liz's wonderful October theme, Opal. I love opals, and since they're my birthstone I can wear them without incurring any bad luck :) I have a beautiful sweater knit that I wanted to use for this month, as it's all blue and shiny white and opal-like...but instead, I couldn't resist making this new Vogue pattern from a red ponte knit that I've had in the stash  for a while.

So I'm calling it October's Fire Opal dress!

I used Vogue 9022, a pattern that I ordered pretty quickly after it was released. I like the relaxed feel of it, and the cute pockets. I thought it would be a great work dress.
Vogue Patterns Misses' Dress 9022

Once again, without even consciously realizing it, I've made a copy of the pattern cover. My dress is a similar solid red, although I could definitely see this one in a colour-blocked version. It also states that this can be made knit or woven; since I chose a knit, I left out the walking vent in the back as well as the keyhole opening at the back neck. Just stitched up that centre seam top to bottom -- I left in the seam, however, to assist with some shaping.

Back view -- what was I doing? No idea

The making of it was easy. It's just basic straight seams, no set in sleeves, and some hems & facing. I did add in an extra inch to each side below the waist by grading out, since my pattern was a medium -- and while I'm generally medium on top, I'm large on bottom. 

The only unusual bit is the pocket construction. The side panel is in two lengths, and you stitch together the bottom seam of the pocket and then fold that length over to form the pocket. Despite there being "fold lines" marked, I would strongly suggest that after folding these pieces you carefully measure both side panels to be sure that they are even -- you don't want to have to unpick one side after sewing everything and readjust it. Don't ask me how I know that.

Red dress outside on a beautiful fall day

There is no stitching to hold down the tops of the pockets -- I suppose you could top stitch them before continuing with construction if you wanted that look. As is, it is a loose, soft look that I quite like. 



Overall I am pleased with this dress. The knit has enough weight that it doesn't cling, and the lines of the pocket seam and of the neck facing don't show through. I was going to switch the neck facing to a simple turned under neckline hem, but decided against it as I wanted a clean finish, and was worried about puckering at the neckline if I just stitched it down. You could probably also finish it with a neck binding if you preferred.



Feels good to be getting back into some fall sewing with this bright and comfortable dress.

15 comments:

  1. What a great dress -- attractive and perfect for work, too!

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    1. Thanks Angela! Yes, it's nice to have a work dress that I will feel good in :)

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  2. I love that pattern as well - it will be a few months before it arrives here. I agree with you and Angela - perfect for work, and should brighten the mood on colder, grey mornings. I like your playing with the theme - so long as it gets you sewing it doesn't matter what direction it takes :)

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    1. Yes, getting back to sewing is a good thing -- thanks for the inspiration! I'm hoping it will brighten some dull November days

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  3. Oh, I really love this dress. Such simple lines but looks really smart and would be great for work. Your necklace sets it off beautifully.

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    1. Thank you! This is my favourite necklace -- I got it in Ukraine some years ago -- traditional bead weaving.

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  4. What a lovely dress and those pockets I'm sure are quite handy throughout your day. Nothing better than a dress that looks good and is comfortable.

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  5. I'm so glad you made this up as the color and the shape suit you well. I bought the pattern with some trepidation but your lovely dress makes me quite ready to get it out and start on it.

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    1. Oh, thanks! Hope I'll see your version made up soon!

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  6. Lovely dress for colder days, such a cheerful colour , smart enough for work and it has pockets too. Glad to see you are sewing again I though that last challenge must have given you sewing burn out

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    1. You've got it in one, Tracy... definitely some burn-out after that last challenge. Never going to push myself like that again!

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  7. Beautiful dress, and I love your necklace choice as well. Thank you for pointing out this pattern- I hadn't noticed it before, and it is definitely one that I want now!

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    1. That's great -- hope you will make one too, it is a great pattern.

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  8. Hey! This looks great. I'd just got some pretty awesome -- but very, very thick -- wool sweater knit after a fabric buying binge and this pattern came to mind for making it. Yours is the only review on patternreview! Thanks for taking the time to write it up, I really like your version and I think (hope) it will work for the fabric I've got in mind.
    i'm on wastedweekends.com -- and will try to write it up if I manage to get it done!

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