Tuesday, July 12, 2016

A tale of two dress versions, Vogue 7769

Sometimes when I am thinking up posts for the Craftsy sewing blog I start with an idea, and then sew up something to illustrate that idea - an example being my recent popover top. Other times I am making something and think oh, this would make a good post for Craftsy. Such as the hidden buttonhole placket or converting darts to gathers. Read through this post to see my refashion of a dress that hadn't even been worn in it's original ruffle version. Do we call that a pre-fashion?

This dress is something I made because I wanted to do a post on circular ruffles. Although I wasn't 100% sold on the idea of wearing a dress with a circular ruffle - which I think you could also call a flounce. Funny how there are so many terms for the same or similar things in the sewing vocabulary.

As it happened my pal Alice recently gave me a bunch of fabric she decided she would never use, with this eye-popping mod print among them. It is a bit crazy - however the colors are just to my liking.  It's some kind of poly stretch which feels quite good to wear and would probably travel quite well - if you are going on a tropical vacation. (hey that's something I do - ok, this one might make it in the suitcase next time).

Enough with the blather huh?  Here is dress version Number One with the ruffle.

dress with ruffle1

Yes a bit wacky. And I felt like I was ready to enter the cha cha competition. Not that I know where one is. Just a mental picture.

Here is the link to the Craftsy post on making this ruffle. As I mention in the post it is not limited to the edge of the garment - you sometimes see it on knit t-shirts, perhaps running diagonally or horizontally across to add some texture, or you can place it vertically. In the documentary, Valentino, the Last Emperor there is a scene where he agonizes over the number of ruffles on an evening gown and I believe these are circle cut ruffles. In any case the gown is gorgeous and if you have not seen that movie I strongly urge you to find it - eye candy for a stitcher plus some fun behind the scenes drama and insight.

Craftsy image ruffle post

To make this dress I used my all-time favorite pattern, which is very simple but has some small details that I love.  No way to count how many times I have used this pattern as the basis for something but it must be at least 15. The pattern has a copyright date of 1990 !! and I bought it new so I guess I got my money's worth. I saw it for sale on Etsy as a "very rare and sought after" vintage pattern for $ 25 but also saw a listing for $ 5 so I guess it depends on your point of view.


Vogue 7769 pattern envelope - favorite pattern

Dress form views, I made the version without the center V neckline. Of course one thing I like about this pattern is the cut-in armholes. Someone asked me recently on one of my shirt posts why I like this shape and how much to cut in. The why is perhaps personal taste, and just a way to be a little more bare without a strappy dress, and the how much I change each pattern on the fly. But usually just try on and then mark where my collarbone ends and that seems like a good spot.

ruffle dress on form frontruffle dress on form back

So once I had this dress completed, photos done and the Craftsy post written it sat on my dress form. Mocking me. Do your sewing projects communicate with you, in any manner? This one said "you like these colors but you will never wear it with that ruffle".

And so I had an idea to change out the ruffle for something else. You can tell I took the second set of photos with my crummy Canon camera using the timer - not as nice as the first photo which my friend took with her far better professional camera.


dress with crochet2

But you can get the idea. Since the ruffle was 4 inches wide the dress was too short once I removed it, however I had taken great pains to get it sewn evenly all around, so removing it left me with an edge that just needed an addition all around. I had been wanting to add some inset or open ribbon work to a dress for a while, and I found this trim at Joann's which was such a perfect color match.



crochet close up

I know, I know - this might not be to everyone's taste but if I saw this dress in a little boutique in a beach town I would want it :)  And as an aside - I have got to do something about the lighting on my photos. See above photo, wall is actually a very pale blue but never appears that way in my full length photos. I have to work on my photo location setup.


dress with crochet on form front

And there you have it, a tale of two dress versions. No going back now as I have tossed that ruffle out.
One last look at the before:

ruffle dress on me view2

and the after:

dress with crochet inset

Let me know which one you like better - and don't worry, you won't hurt my feelings if you liked the ruffle version more!  I think the more likely opinion is that the fabric is crazy. Crazy good, right? Hey all that difference of opinion is what keeps the fabric stores stocked with plenty of different looks for everyone.

Happy summer sewing,
Beth


today's garden photo - just out of the frame in the last image is my precious red rose. Isn't this what you think of when you have roses in mind?

Daisy

27 comments:

  1. Hmmm I do have to say I love the ruffle. I have a simple summer dress with a ruffle on the bottom and every time I wear it, I get so many compliments. I hear "I love the ruffle", or "makes it unique". Plus the ruffle on your dress is cute. Just my little opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Definitely like the lace inset better than the ruffle. I wonder what a darker color lace would have looked like...it makes me want to play around with your idea on some sheath dresses now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Definitely like the lace inset better than the ruffle. I wonder what a darker color lace would have looked like...it makes me want to play around with your idea on some sheath dresses now.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I would snap that fabric right up! I love those mod prints and I'm with you on those colors. I have a very slight preference for the ruffle version of the dress, but I think both are fab.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the after photo. The fabric is awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the fabric and I like the flounce! Cha! Cha! Cha!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like the ruffle best. Lovely dress and very fun.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Definitely the ruffle. The trim looks like curtain trim for some reason. Just doesn't go with the fabric. Love the fabric!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I like both versions but I'm glad you're happy with the final one. That way you will actually wear that fabulous dress.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I prefer without the ruffle but the main thing is that you like it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love both versions. Infact I am wearing a similar dress with a circular ruffle today. My only comment would be that I feel the ruffle could be a little longer and therefore look more in proportion. My ruffle is around 12" deep.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love them both, but I would wear the ruffle version more! The rose is a rose is a rose is a beautiful rose! Does she smell as good as she looks?

    ReplyDelete
  13. agree with you - no ruffle. very flattering style for you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The fabric's definitely crazy good. I prefer the version without the ruffle myself. What luck to have lace that's such a good colour match.

    ReplyDelete
  15. LOVE the fabric and love both versions. I would definitely want to buy that if I saw it in a snazzy boutique - though it would probably cost too much! Isn't it wonderful to be able to sew?? ;) Enjoy your new dress.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love both versions but the ruffle may edge out the other version for being a bit more dressy to me. So glad I found your blog! Fair warning: You're being followed now :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love the fabric, and I love both patterns. However, I think the fabric works best without the ruffle. I'd love the see the dress with the ruffle in a simpler fabric, though.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the fabric, the colour and both versions, but I would wear the ruffle more. As someone else said: Cha! Cha! Cha!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love the fabric... it is YOU! I prefer the flounce if I see them next to each other but if I saw them separately I would buy both. I loved that part of that documentary ...It's one of the parts I remember.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow! Both look great on you. The fabric is wonderful too.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love the fabric, prefer the lace inset to the ruffle but you look fabulous in both! Love the roses too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I like the lace insertion, but you know what would also look great? Black silk organza insertion or a stable black mesh.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I think you would have liked the ruffle better if it had been longer. The proportions were off. Great dress either way.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ok Ms. Beth, I have to agree with the majority of ladies here...while I much prefer the ruffle, I can understand why you like the lace inset. The ruffle was very cute on you! It has more of a playful, fun and casual look, especially with the great fun fabric! My guess is you're not used to wearing a ruffle with such a busy fabric and it was uncomfortable to you. Either way it was a win for you, because both dresses are adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I think your final version is very much YOU! in that simple but chic sheath style that you carry so well, and I LOVE the blue bobbin lace insert. Actually I think this style is a bit me too! To be honest, I didn't even see the ruffle at first, because of the busy print, until you pointed it out. In any case, I do love version two!! so I'm glad you've altered it to suit your personal style :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. material to die for ......very funky, love the ruffle dress!

    ReplyDelete