BWOF 2/2005 #132

It all started with this piece of fabric from fabric.com

I thought a new dress for me would be just the garment for this fabric.  Well, it did become a dress but for Erin not me!

Description: Slim, elbow-length sleeves, bands along the center front seam and a plunging v-neckline underscore the slim line of the dress.  The tie-bands are caught into the side seams.

Sizing: 38 to 46, I made a 38

Instructions:  Once I got past the instructions for the band, it was pretty traditional dress sewing.

I did not have enough of the floral fabric for the bands and used some knit I had recently ordered from Needle Nook Fabric. 

The bands were interfaced with Fashion Sewing Supply interfacing and then the right sides are matched with the wrong side of the bodice  then stitch the seam

Next turn the bands to the right side and press.  I used some steam-a-seam II to keep the turned edge of the band to the bodice for topstitching

I topstitched the neck edge about 1/4" and the folded under edge of the band was edgestitched

Next you put in the invisible zipper and I used Amanda's tutorial to help have a very successful invisible zipper (thanks Amanda for a great tutorial)

a hook and eye was added later.  The back band is sewn the same way the front band is constructed.
Next, Burda has you sew the shoulder seams.  As I was constructing the back bands, I pinned the shoulder seams together to make sure I had bands the same width.

After that, you sew the side seams, inset the sleeves, hem and you are done.

Likes/Dislikes:  I thought this was a very classic and timeless design.  Especially since my BWOF magazine was 6 years old.

the dislike - the dress looked horrible on me.  Also, the torquoise in the fabric ran a bit in the wash.  You can see this in the above picture.  After completing the dress, I put some Shout on these spots and that seemed to help quite a bit.


Changes:  None to the dress pattern at all.

Conclusion:  All was not lost when I realized this dress wasn't suited for me but would be perfect on Erin.  She was out today picking up some things and the dress was on the dressform.  I had told her about a new dress coming her way and she said, Is, that the dress?  I nodded yes and she said what a cute dress.

The v-neck is low but she will wear a cami with the dress.  If I had kept it I would have put an inset of fabric to cover the deep v-neck.

Note on the tie, since it is sewn in the side seams, you can tie it in the front or in the back depending on the what look you want.

Here is the dress:

I am very please on my zipper and how well the bands line up