Never Enough Polka Dots

I have added another Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress to my collection, and I am not sorry about it!

And while I am not a huge fan of working with rayon/lycra knit fabrics, now that I have finished sewing the dress, I can enjoy wearing it, and forget about the aggravation as it slithers across the sewing table.

I know that it won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I will probably wear the dress with the v-neck facing the back most of the time.  It seems like most people prefer the standard v-neck worn in the front, but I have a lot of v-neck dresses, so this makes for a nice change.

And the nice thing about a reversible dress is that I can always change my mind later on!

It has also become quite clear to me that I am a massive fan of the polka dot.  Dress, blouse, shoes, purse - give me all of the polka dots!

And wrap dresses just might come in a close second.

The shorter length works great with the dotted fabric, but I do love a full length wrap dress.  The only downside is the amount of yardage required.

I would also love to be able to find a cotton print jersey fabric or a rayon/cotton blend in a slightly heavier weight.

The original textiles that were used for these dresses are some of the most flattering and comfortable fabrics that I have ever come across.  Why did they start adding spandex and lycra to everything?!

But even with all of my griping, this is a wonderful pattern.

It really doesn't get much easier than throwing on a wrap dress to look completely put together in no time at all.  And no zipper or buttonholes to contend with is just the icing on the cake!

Dress:  Made by me, Vogue 2060
Shoes:  Miss L Fire
Earrings:  Etsy
Bag:  Harvey's Seatbelt Bag

Polka Dotty

I purchased Vogue 2060 when it went on sale, not really thinking too much about it, but wanting to add another DVF vintage pattern to my collection.  Once I had it next to Vogue 2000, I was questioning my choices and wondering why I had purchased another wrap dress pattern.

To be fair, though, the two patterns are actually different, so in the end, I think that it was worth it.  This particular version of the iconic wrap dress by DVF is drafted for knits and has no darts or tucks.  Vogue 2000 is drafted for both knits and wovens (although I still do question whether or not a pattern can actually work for both equally well).  And there are the obvious design differences with the added collar and a different shape of waist tie, although you certainly wouldn't need a separate pattern for those two changes!

With Vogue 2000, I found a 100% cotton knit which is more in line with the fabric used for the vintage versions of these dresses.  The only suitable knit fabrics that I had stashed away included Lycra or Spandex, so that's what I decided to use this time around.  Do I wish that I could find a rayon or cotton knit with no added elastic fibers?  Yes!  But for now, this was the easiest way to try out the pattern.

I interfaced the facing pieces with a lightweight fusible, included the cut-on skirt facing.  That may have been a mistake as it pulls the skirt opening up slightly, but the added interfacing does keep it from curling, so that is a win.

Seamlines were stitched with a narrow zig-zag on my sewing machine, and I finished most of the raw edges with a serger to keep them from rolling in on themselves.

This project did remind me how much I dislike working with spandex fabrics.  The rayon makes it bearable, I suppose, and they are quite easy to wear, but it does take some of the fun out of the sewing process for me.  Part of that had to do with the size of most of these pattern pieces.  Somehow working on a knit top that uses a yard of fabric doesn't create nearly the aggravation that oversized pattern pieces paired with stretchy and slinky fabric does.

At least knit designs go together quickly!

One thing that I will probably change if I use this pattern again is to cut a separate skirt facing instead of using the cut in one facing drafted on the skirt piece.  Vogue 2000 uses a separate facing and I think that ends up working better for my purposes.

And then we come to the "reversible" part of the design.  According to the pattern, this dress is completely reversible.  However, the sleeve is drafted with a front and back, although the difference in the slope is minimal.  But since I have worked with a least a couple of knit top patterns that utilize a symmetrical sleeve piece which seems to work just fine, why would the pattern draft go to the trouble of having a non-symmetrical sleeve head when the bodice is meant to be worn in both directions?!  I still haven't figured out the answer to that question. 

But I do have a very easy to wear wrap dress made of polka dot fabric which makes me rather happy.

And while I believe I will wear this with the higher neckline facing front (because I think it's a bit more interesting than a standard v-neck wrap dress) it's always nice to have the option.

Which neckline do you prefer?

A Ghostly Figure

I finished my Halloween version of the DVF Wrap Dress just in time (although I never manage to get things posted here in a timely fashion).

And overall, I am extremely pleased with this pattern.

Other than the sleeves being quite oversized, and the facings being a bit too wide, this is a very good approximation of the 1970s originals that I have in my closet.  And those are easy fixes.

The 100% cotton jersey that I was able to find was thinner than I would have liked, and I was concerned how that would affect the finished dress.  I am happy to report that it worked just fine.  Sure, it wanted to roll along the edges a bit during construction, but other than that, it really didn't give me much grief.

I am also excited to add a new silhouette to my collection of Halloween themed frocks.

I have a few 1950s inspired silhouettes with knee length skirts, so this makes for a fun change.

I will absolutely be making this pattern again, it's only a matter of time, and finding a suitable fabric choice.

There are a couple of rayon/spandex blends that I have stashed away, but I would rather find something without the added Lycra or spandex.  Then again, it might be fun to compare and contrast what I like more or less about either textile choice.

This pattern has been a very popular one, and I think it is well deserved.

Sure, there are a lot of wrap dress pattern available, but there is something extra special about this one.  And if you don't love the collar and cuffs, you can always skip those bits if you feel like it gives too much of a 1970s vibe.  I happen to love them!  But adding or subtracting those elements along with changing the length of the skirt and fabric choice makes the possibilities almost endless.   

I could definitely get behind a mid-calf length version worn with boots, or a knee length dress with a fabulous pair of platform heels.  But I really do want to make at least one coat this year, so I should probably get my mind headed in that direction before the seasons change again.

Dress:  Made by me, Vogue 2000
Earrings:  GlitzOmatic on Etsy
Shoes:  Nina "Serena"

Strawberry Picking

The main reason that this project got pushed to the front of the queue was that the yardage was taking up space on my sewing table after having been laundered.  I had quite a bit of it to iron, and while that task didn't seem especially interesting, it sat there long enough for me to remember that I was waiting for a nice pair of complimentary fabrics in order to test out Burda 6965.  And, perhaps more importantly, I wanted the space on the table back.

As far as cutting on the cross grain due to the 44" wide fabric not being wide enough for the pattern as drafted, it does not appear to have caused any major issues.  So that gamble paid off.

What I will say about the draft is that this skirt is LONG.  I am wearing my 1940s repro platforms, and even with the significant heel height, this garment almost brushes the ground.

The pattern says it is drafted for someone who is 5'6" tall, which just so happens to be my height.  And yes, I am more long waisted than long limbed, but this skirt is still extremely long.  Because of the scalloped hemline, and the fact that you might not want to lose that detail, it is something to keep in mind.  

There are no lengthen/shorten markings, but I might take out about an inch of length somewhere in the middle of those strangely shaped pattern pieces if I make this again.

But since I am quite intrigued about the more circular shaped pieces of the actual vintage pattern from Simplicity that I have in my stash, it is likely that I would make that version instead.

The matching top works well with the skirt, so I am happy with that.  Honestly, the only reason that I made it up was the fact that I wanted to wear the skirt, and with this weather we have been having, a black sweater just wasn't something I was interesting in wearing any time soon.  Turns out, it's a great pattern.  And I would definitely be interested in making up the coordinating skirt at some point in the future.

These 1970s designs are growing on me.  And I recognize that the call back to the 1940s certainly has a lot to do with that.

I am actually thinking that my next project will be a vintage 1940s frock.  I certainly have a length of rayon stashed away (or ten) so I should be able to find something appropriate.

But I did find an old Donna Karan pattern that would work really well with these very strawberry prints, and I think that I have enough yardage left to do just that.  Or is it ridiculous to make two garments back to back with the same fabric?!

Whatever I decide, I am very pleased with this outfit and the fact that I have another reason to wear my silly strawberry earrings!

Blouse:  Made by me, McCalls 8431
Skirt:  Mae by me, Burda 6965
Earrings:  Etsy
Shoes:  Remix "Miranda"

A Bowl Full of Berries

Since I had plenty of fabric available, I decided to make a matching top for my 1970s style swirl skirt.

McCalls 8431 is a recent reproduction of a vintage pattern, and the illustration was an obvious use of coordinating fabric, making it an easy choice to match the multi patterned skirt.  I wasn't entirely sold on the elastic finish on the sleeve hemline, but I decided to go with it.

I did take a wedge out of the bodice back piece (a common adjustment for me), and I also decided to line the bodice front and back with some black cotton voile that I had stashed away for a clean finish.

I added 5/8" to the midriff pieces, ensuring that the back bodice would sit at my waistline, and not slightly above it.  I probably could have added an extra 1/4-1/2", but this is definitely better for my long torso than as originally drafted.

I think it pairs quite nicely with the skirt.  And with no zipper or buttonholes to contend with, this project went together in no time.  Honestly, the most difficult choice was where to place each print.

I really like the way these coordinates came out, and while both patterns are most definitely 1970s inspired, I think the silhouette has a very 1940s flavor.  Which isn't too surprising, I suppose, considering that a large portion of 1970s designs were inspired by a 1940s silhouette!