Another repeat pattern! November is 'Nother month I guess ;) I first made this Very Easy Vogue 9022 in 2014, and really loved it. But my mom came to visit and tried it on, and looked so great in it that I gave it to her. But I started to miss the dress so have remade it -- exactly the same dress, in the same colour & material -- a red ponte that is similar to the original, but a little heavier weight.
And the biggest change was that I had to adjust the sizing just a little more to fit right! My pattern only goes up to Medium, so I had to grade out to about a large in the hips; I added just a smidge more this time around. I also added a touch of shaping to the back seam to add a 1/4" more width across the posterior. I think it worked out. I also shortened the sleeve as usual, since I prefer a 3/4 length -- that also helps to fit it on to your fabric since a long cut on sleeve like this can eat up the width of a fabric.
I liked it so much the first time that I've also repeated the styling this time around: I am wearing the same necklace (bought when I was in Kyiv in 2008) and the same pair of shoes.
One of the best features of this dress are the pockets. They're made by folding over the lower part of the side panel (cut in two pieces) and attaching it to the upper half to form a pocket with only a fold at the top. It gives a nice soft rounded edge to the pocket which I think works especially well in a ponte.
This pattern really is as easy as advertised, at least in a knit. Because it's a stretchy fabric, I left out the neckline back opening that is part of the pattern when using a woven (yes, it's one of those patterns that tells you that you can use a woven or a stable knit). I also removed the walking slit since the fabric is stretchy and ends just above the knee.
When you do it this way it is pretty quick! Just make sure your pockets are basted down perfectly even before sewing in the centre panel. This dress is honestly like wearing secret pyjamas. It's like a work appropriate Slanket. I really love it, and can't wait another 5 years to make another version. I think a different colour and maybe even fabric would be great ;)
Great dress, Really fab idea to remake it.
ReplyDeleteThanks -- it is really within our power to keep wearing our favourite dress forever ;)
DeleteI LOVE THIS! What a gorgeous shape, and gorgeous colour too. Don't you always find you get loads of compliments when you wear a red dress? I certainly do...think I need more!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's really an amazing shape for such a simple dress. And yes to reds...there is just something about a red that catches people's eye, somehow. I love my red dresses!
DeleteI just wrote down the style number to add this pattern to my collection. I need a "dress up" dress and this will be perfect. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteTheresa in Tucson
I'm so glad it inspired you! It's definitely a fast make so a good one if you need a dress soon.
DeleteFabulous dress! I've overlooked it completely for how long now? Your red dress inspired me get the pattern last night, and I caught the end of a 70% off sale. Yeah you and yeah me! I'm looking at tweed and boucle fabric.
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting me know that you were able to get a copy on sale! That makes my thrifty little heart happy ;) How fun that you want to make it too. I can imagine that a tweed would look stunning.
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