Sunday, September 4, 2011

Vogue 1191 Michael Kors Twist Front Knit Dress

It has been a great Labor Day weekend here, a little sewing, a lot of relaxing and some fun birthday celebrations. Last night was dinner out with family and friends and I wore this dress which I mentioned in my previous post.  Maybe I am changing my opinion a little bit on knits, now that I have successfully sewn 3 knit items this year - more than I have in the last ten years.  My grumbling about sewing this dress did bring out a few commenters who were ambivalent about knits as well, so I can only say that perhaps there is space in my closet for another knit dress, even this very one in a winter version.


Vogue 1191, Michael Kors Knit dress, with one very big change, in that I decided to make it sleeveless.  It seemed like such a perfect summer style and this is definitely warm weather fabric, rayon knit in shades of coral.  

Pattern envelope, showing dress with sleeves, and a look at the back of the dress.  I eliminated the sleeves by making the bodice facing finish both the neckline and the armholes, and leaving the shoulder seams open until the last, sewing the shoulder seam and then hand stitching the remaining opening closed.  This is the technique I use on almost all sleeveless dresses that have a lining.
V1191 ptrnCoral dress on form3


I did love wearing this dress, and I think it will make it into the suitcase next time I go somewhere beachy - one of those dresses that you can roll up and stuff in the suitcase, and then look relaxed, cool and colorful at cocktail time.  


When I was sewing this I did have some issues with the directions and construction and I was struck by some comparisons with another dress I did this year, the Donna Karan V1159 which also has a mystery twist element that magically resolves into a very pretty front drape. I think my next post will be a "compare and contrast" of these two patterns.  
Here I am, at the end of the evening.  I had wanted to take some pictures when it was still a bit light, as this restaurant might be recognized by movie fans, another Bay Area film location (among so so many).  If you saw the movie Mrs. Doubtfire, with Robin Williams, the long dinner scene where he is bouncing between tables and trying to keep up his disguise was filmed here at Bridges Restaurant.  
Coral dress on me
Now that I see the dress in a photo maybe it could be an inch or two shorter, perhaps it is stretching a bit.  Also not crazy about the shoes but for now I am being really careful with posture, shoes, how I sit, stand, get in/out of the car and generally just doing everything possible to make sure my back issues continue to heal and not regress.  Enough said!


Since it is Labor Day here in the US I will mention something I read this morning. The article stated clothing manufacture is one of the last remaining industries that still exists primarily with human labor - that to hold two limp pieces of cloth and accurately stitch together is something the human hand can do and machines cannot. Interesting, and something to think about this weekend.


Happy end of summer sewing, Beth

18 comments:

  1. The dress looks great! And I am GLAD to see you are thinking more positively towards knits. ;) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! :D I hope to see you at PenWAG!

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  2. You look so pretty in this dress. It turned out beautifully. I still love that print! Last I checked, Fabric Mart had it in a blue and green color palette. I've been toying with getting some of it too. So glad the back continues to mend :)

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  3. Gorgeous dress - it looks fabulous on you too, a perfect birthday dress!

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  4. Wonderful dress on you! Love the drape and the fabric you selected.

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  5. Way to transform this pattern! lovely fabric choice and I think I prefer sleevless The overall mood is light and lovely.

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  6. That's a beautiful dress. Michael would be proud!

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  7. Love it, it never occurred to me to make a sleeveless version of this. I'm really interested in reading your thoughts on this vs the Donna Karan dress having made both myself too.

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  8. Va-va-va-Voom! You look so sexy in this number. The fabric is JUST perfect and I love the pattern changes. I hope you felt like a million bucks at your birthday dinner. Happy Birthday!!!!

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  9. I want to reach right into my computer and grab this dress off you to make it mine. I absolutely love it - the fabric, the style, the wonderful air of tropical glamour! You look wonderful in this dress!

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  10. Nice drape and good look on you! Greetings to your garden squirrels! :)

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  11. Your look gorgeous and happy in your dress. It looks great sleeveless, which I would have never thought of. It sounds like you had a wonderful birthday.

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  12. Happy Birthday Beth! I'm glad you had a great evening, and you look absolutely glowing in your dress! Utterly fabulous!

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  13. Question - Did you raise the neckline at all? I really want to make this dress but have been concerned that it is too low.

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  14. Nancy, to answer your question about the neckline, yes I did raise the neckline, I started by raising 1.5" but it needed a bit more, so in total raised it 2". I am not very tall, so it would have been very low without doing that.

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  15. That dress is fabulous! I love the colors and it really flatters you. I'm with you on raising the neckline -- it was a little too daring for me as designed!

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