I made Vogue 8486 specifically for travel and to keep cool during the hot summer days. Just like the ones the east coast has been suffering through recently.Pattern Description, Vogue 8486: "Dresses A, B are slim-fitting with or without sleeves, front stitched pleats, back neck opening and back slit. Length is mid-knee." I made the sleeveless version.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, definitely. An advanced beginner could tackle this pattern with ease. The pleats are simple to assemble.
Why did I gravitate toward this particular pattern? I chose a shift style because I think there's nothing like a simple shift dress in the summer for easy wearability. Seriously, who needs fabric binding you at the waist on a steamy, sweaty day?
Fabric Used: Black lycra jersey from Spandex House in NYC. You have to love a fabric that doesn't wrinkle and feels like nothing against your skin.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes I made: I omitted the center-back seam, because why do you need one in a jersey dress that just pops over your head? It required some extra fabric to accomplish this, I think maybe 3/4 yard? (Wish I could remember....)
I finished the neckline and armscye edges with a self-bias binding.
Neckline embellishment: When I was done with the dress I thought it was a little blah around the neckline. So I made a long bias tube, draped it around the neckline, and loosely anchored it with teeny silver nailheads that I bought at M&J Trimmings in NYC. I tied the tube into a bow at the center neck and then knotted the tube ends.
Here's a closeup of the neckline. You can see how nicely the pleats fall.Would I sew it again? Would I recommend it to others? Yes, I will be making this again as I love wearing it. This dress has a high coworker compliment factor—even colleagues who normally don't say anything about my clothes have told me they really liked this dress. And this dress has been a great way to take the summer heat wave we're having here on the east coast, because it's so lightweight and flow-y. The large center pleats fall in such a way that it creates a nice inverted V shape that's very slimming.
16 comments:
That neckline is divine! It's such a simple little design feature that really makes the dress style pop.
Mary, at PR Weekend 2007, did a neckline treatment on one of her tops with loops in the front and back with coordinating fabric. She had it draped through the loops and the rest of the fabric cascaded down her back. It look so simple, yet so unique and fashion forward.
It's those little things that make the garments so stylish and boutique-looking!
Very very cute!! I love it!
I was very lucky to see this cute dress in person at the ASG convention. It is wonderful and Lindsay looked great in it.
Fabulous dress Lindsay! The neckilne does give it a bit more style, looks comfy too.
Very nice! I have this bagged up as a UFO--I was getting frustrated because I couldn't ge the pleats to lay nicely. I like how you decorated the binding--I may borrow that idea.
Lovely! Much nicer than pattern envelope.
It's a wonderful dress - looks like you could easily dress it up for a night out too.
its very beautiful
That is just gorgeous! I love the neckline.
Great LBD!! I like the nailheads & tie you added - very clever.
This is so classic but so modern with the wonderful neckline treatment. That was some great creative thinking with the tube and studs. Awesome, Lindsay!
I will have to add this pattern to my list! Looks great. Did you use a serger? cindy
Fabulous dress! I love the way you finished the neckline!
And kudos to you for seeing the potential in that pattern. The illustration is a bit blah but your version totally rocks!
THAT is one FABULOUS dress! It all comes together perfectly, the style,the fabric, the embellishment. Sublime!
Really love it! Does it narrow a little at the hem, or is that the way it drapes on the form? I always love the look of that, but it is tricky to get the proportion right. If that one *is* narrower, it got the proportion right. Will have to add this to my wish list now, because seeing it in the catalog I never would have considered it.
It's the perfect LBD, Lindsay! It looks awesome!
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