Friday 8 October 2010

It's fast, it's easy and it's DKNY!

If you’re in a hurry for a designer dress, Vogue 1179 is a great way to go, this must be one of the fastest dresses I’ve ever made.


Black is always tricky to photograph - the above picture gives you an idea of the general shape but not the detail so here is a close up so you can see how the pleating at the front looks.


The fabric is a double knit (purchased from Gorgeous Fabrics) which hangs very nicely but is substantial enough not to be flimsy. Here’s a reminder of the pattern envelope


This is one of the few garments I have made without first making a muslin – I just dived straight in. Halfway through cutting it out I did have some misgivings – I had a nasty suspicion that it was going to turn out to be a shapeless sack but, although it is certainly loose fitting, I do think there is something about the cut that makes it work – Donna Karan certainly knows her stuff!

A couple of the reviewers on Pattern Review have mentioned the tightness of the armholes – and I think they’re right. Usually I have to raise armholes by about an inch (I think I have freaky arms and shoulders!) but this time I didn’t and I really like the way they fit. I did as the pattern recommended and sewed clear elastic round the armholes and they don’t gape at all. But if you want to make this dress and you have regular arms you might want to lower the armholes a bit!

I followed the instructions exactly except where they tell you to sew the side seams before attaching the collar. I decided to attach the collar first because that way I would get a better idea of how the dress was going to hang and fit (because I could undo the basting for the pleats at the front) and could then adjust the side seams if needed.

When I finished this dress I thought that this was going to be one of those garments that I liked but my husband wouldn’t be so keen on but, somewhat to my surprise, he loves this dress – it’s turned out to be a real winner in his eyes!

Before I go, here’s a question, what do these fabrics have in common?


Answer – they are all being used in my current project, which is this pattern, Butterick 5520.
I am making the view on the right. The fabrics in my photo are (from left to right) lace for the sleeves, nude colour silk satin underlining for the sleeves, black silk satin for the body of the dress, nude lining for the sleeves, black lining for the body of the dress. Phew – that’s some cutting out to be done – this one isn’t going to be as fast as the DKNY dress!

More soon ……

44 comments:

  1. Very cute dress, it looks fantastic on you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gorgeous dress Eugenia! The style is so cute yet chic! It's really great in black. I can't wait to see your next dress.....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great dress! We like so many of the same patterns. I just pulled out that Butterick to make, except I'm thinking about the one with the peplum.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well, it's surprisingly very flattering on you! I like the black also. You always do a wonderful job, and I can't wait to see the new dress.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You look very NYC chic, like you work for one of the Condé Nast publications...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Really stunning. You look wonderful in these draped dresses.

    ReplyDelete
  7. As always, you look stunning in your new dress. I can't wait to see your next dress. It will be a real holiday party dress.
    Gita

    ReplyDelete
  8. Well, I looked right past this one when it was released, but this is beautiful on you! I agree that the black was totally the way to go. Nice work!!

    And I'm soooo excited to see the dress you're working on right now. It looks/sounds like it will be a real stunner. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. nice dress! Looks very good on you.
    Can't wait to see your Butterick dress. gee, wish I was thinner to be able to wear those dresses.....

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very nice. I love the drape of this dress and the pleats. That double knit is great.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The DKNY dress hangs beautifully and looks great on you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Looks absolutely beautiful! Must be comfy, too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Eugenia - Great dress!! I especially love how you styled it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This dress is very stylish and looks gorgeous on you.


    (I received my double knit from Gorgeous fabrics and is "is" very nice. I'll be making V1194 if I ever get the time :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Well, you are right, it IS a real winner! Great job Eugenia! You look so classy and refined in this dress.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love it! And it's perfect in black! This could easily be one of those styles that doesn't work, but in the right fabric and length it looks fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Very pretty! I was afraid this one would be a sack as well, but it looks lovely on you. That Butterick is great - I can't wait to see all of those fabrics come together!

    ReplyDelete
  18. It's a great looking LBD! It looks fantastic. How nice to get such a good result and not have to do a muslin.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow that dress looks amazing on you. I agree with you about DKNY patterns, they looks so simple and shapeless as pattern pieces but transform when worn, I'm a fan now!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I think you choose the right fabric and the right color to make one awesomely flattering dress!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love how different this dress is from what you usually sew! It seems as though you gravitate to shaped, fitted patterns, made with wovens (that's definitely my sewing style, too), so this is a departure. Do you think that's why hubby likes it so much? I think it's absolutely fabulous. I don't love knits, but this makes me want to buy some double knit and try it out.

    Good luck with your next dress!

    ReplyDelete
  22. That dress looks so gorgeous! Very professional looking! Good work!

    ReplyDelete
  23. That's a very pretty dress. And comfy without being a sack. Very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Of course, your husband would like it. The dress looks lovely on you. How nice to have a comfortable, fashionable, and easy-to-sew LBD!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I wouldn't have thought twice about the DKNY pattern, but it turned out very chic looking. I really like it on you too! The Butterick dress has me intrigued. I think it's going to be beautiful. Can't wait to see it.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Beautiful! I think this was my most worn dress this summer. I LOVE it.

    ReplyDelete
  27. wow, if I thought it would look like that on me, I would sew it tonight! I really didn't care for that pattern until I saw your version.
    Your version looks better than the envelope -the beefy knit works so well.
    enjoy wearing your new chic LBD!

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a fun and flattering dress!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Gorgeous dress! I just love the detailing with the pleats at the front. Beautiful work as always! Can't wait to see what you make next!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great dress - I love elegant simplicity. I always feel I want to rush off and buy the pattern when I see your work.

    ReplyDelete
  31. You are showstopping in this, Eugenia! It's very nice to know that something simple produces a uniquely stunning dress!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Looks absolutely beautiful!
    I'm sure it is really comfortable, great choice!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Ooo... I LOVE your DKNY dress! It does fit you well and I don't think you have armas and shoulders at all! The Butterick dress is going to be gorgeous! Can't wait to see it!

    ReplyDelete
  34. That looks amazing on you!! I'm a new reader, found your blog link on another new to me blog, and I will definitely become a subscriber now!

    ReplyDelete
  35. That is an absolutely brilliant dress and looks gorgeous on you! I may have to buy that one. Where do you buy your patterns from? I'm in the UK, too.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi didyoumakethat - thank you so much for your nice comment. I always buy my Vogue/Butterick/McCalls patterns online at http://www.sewdirect.com because I subscribe to the magazine Sew Today - if you subscribe you always get 50% off pattern prices.

    ReplyDelete
  37. You look fantastic. This dress is super gorgeous. Fast and easy puts it over the top.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I like that front pleat detail! This is a great dress--easy wearing, but it doesn't look like an "I give up" sack.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Just wanted to let you know that we like your version of V1179 so much that we posted a link from our Vogue Patterns facebook page to your blog. Great Job!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I LOVE this dress on you ! Great job. I like how you styled it too. You look amazing !! xx

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...