Pattern Love: Vogue 1351 DKNY dress

Is it too early in 2013 to declare this the best pattern of the year? If you have been reading this blog for a while you probably know that I am inclined to superlatives. My favorite color, greatest skirt pattern, most beautiful flower...rarely a shade of grey for me. Opinions, snap judgements, instant thumbs up or down are rapidly determined. So when I started prepping the pattern pieces for this one I had a little shiver of excitement and the dress that resulted confirmed my first impression. This one is a winner!

Vogue 1351 has just a few pattern pieces, is cut on the bias, and very little fitting involved. Here is the result.

One more time these DKNY patterns turn out to be genius. OK maybe a bit too high with the praise but I really can't say enough good things about this one. Firstly, super easy. So welcome in summertime when you want to get that dress done! Perfect shaping, at least for me. I have not made any knits cut on the bias before and that seems to be what gives this dress such a lovely drape. Also the cowl neckline is not too big or too low. I made V1250 for a friend, another genius pattern from DKNY and on me the shape was just not all that flattering however it suited my friend perfectly. This dress has more of a waist so better suited to my style. But I can tell you that it barely touches my waist and that is how it is designed to fit, just skimming over your shape.  It is the cut and drape of the bodice pieces that allow them to float over the body and look so sleek and yet be uber-comfortable. Another positive is it would be relatively easy to alter, with a bit of forethought if you are not quite the size you could take in or let out at the side seams when you cut it out. The finished measurements are on the pattern and seemed to be close.

I did two slight fit adjustments, taking it up at the shoulders about 1/2 inch and a slight swayback adjustment taking about 1/2 inch out of the center back bodice (when I sewed it together after a test baste) to bring that back waist seam to the horizontal. So when I make it next (oh yes there will be a next) I will just alter my pattern pieces. Then it will be one of those 2-hour dresses. Pretty good for a Vogue designer pattern. 

Another thing I like is where the edge of the bodice hits the shoulder, as you know from my last Vogue dress I like the shoulders to be a bit on the narrow side, I think it is more flattering. 

This dress has a full lining, pattern pieces included and the bodice front lining is what makes the neckline so perfect.

           
Here is the pattern envelope. It suggests crepe, matte jersey or charmeuse. For some reason this strikes me as the perfect travel item. Dress it up or go casual, roll in a ball and stuff in your suitcase.

Oh yeah, I am smiling. Pattern love. And a knit..in a solid color...what is going on? Not a wild floral. I do have a rayon knit print I bought as soon as I finished this so onward with another version. By the way, this fabric was a rayon knit I added to the shopping cart when buying some stuff from Fashion Fabrics Club. When it came my reaction was, blech, not what I thought it would be, kind of slinky. So it was set aside and in fact I did do some t-shirt testing with it. But it was a lucky choice for this dress, plus the color seems way better as a dress than it did as a piece of fabric. ??? 

Gratuitous action shot.  Not really a twirly skirt, more of a fluttery one.

Two for two with the new Vogue patterns. Happy dance! Time to turn away from the dresses, even though there are so many pretty ones calling out to me.  In progress, a black denim casual jacket using a Lisette pattern, Simplicity 2209.

Of course something purple for today's SunnyGal garden photo. I bought this phlox at the local junior college horticultural department's spring sale. Very tiny flowers but so cute.

Happy summer sewing and I hope you all find the very best pattern, 

Beth