Sunday, 19 December 2010

Simplicity 3503 - the any time dress!

Looking through my stash last weekend I found a very nice piece of polyester lycra knit fabric that I had been saving to make a summer dress. But it suddenly occurred to me that perhaps the animal print colouring would be pretty good for this time of the year as well.

I think it works nicely with black tights and boots. As you can see, we’re experiencing some very snowy weather here in London!

Here’s a view of the back.

As you might have guessed it took me nearly as long to cut the dress out as it did to sew it together! At first glance, close up, the print looks like random dots but as soon as I took a long look at it I realised that the zig zags were very prominent and so it needed some careful cutting to match it all and make sure that the zig zags were straight. I cut all the pieces in a single layer and, in the end, I was pretty happy with the overall effect.

This is the pattern I used


It’s not the first time I have made this pattern but my last version looked very different because then I made the sleeveless, maxi-length view (blogged about here), which turned out to be one of my favourite summer dresses and was perfect for hot weather. I kept meaning to make another one but this time I decided to give the dolman sleeve style a try and I really like it. On the pattern envelope it's the photograph at the bottom right but I didn't use a contrasting fabric for the midriff section, only for the neck band (being short I have to think carefully about cutting myself in half!). The dress is so easy and comfortable to wear and I love the flappy sleeves.

If you’re looking for a dress that can be worn very casually or dressed right up, I really do recommend this pattern. I can definitely see myself making a few more of these.

I think the next few days are going to be busy with gift wrapping and baking and festive decorating but I am hoping to get in a little bit of sewing to keep me from going Christmas crazy! I do hope your preparations for Christmas and your holiday season sewing are all coming together nicely?

30 comments:

  1. Beautiful dress! You did an amazing job lining everything up :)

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  2. Great Dress Eugenia! You look fabulous and so mod at the same time. I just love this pattern too and it's versatility! I made the maxi as well (twice) and it ended up being my fave summer dress.

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  3. Totally cute! looks so great on you. and I think the design choice regarding the center band was smart. and wow look at that snow.
    Merry snow covered Christmas :)

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  4. Fabulous dress. Need to keep an eye out for that pattern. Good call on the print.

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  5. That's a really lovely dress, Eugenia. It's a perfect fit and suits you.
    Merry Christmas and I hope you find time for your sewing too!

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  6. Super dress! A beautiful fabric. You look fabulous/

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  7. What a great new dress. I think you are right on with the colors and print being a good fit for the fall/winter months. Have fun with your Christmas activities.

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  8. Your dress looks so much better than the pattern envelope!

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  9. oh I really like that dress. I have the pattern and have thought about making that version. Now I will have to put my thoughts into action. Love it.

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  10. What a beautiful dress! This second version is so different from the first that no one would believe that they were the same pattern. As for the snow...I hope you are enjoying it and please keep it all there with you! :)

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  11. Wow! You look so hip and chic in that dress! Beautiful! Enjoy your Christmas preparations!

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  12. The extra care you took cutting out the fabric really paid off - great dress!

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  13. I love your anytime dress! I also wish some of that snow would migrate this way!

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  14. The dress is gorgeous. I love that contrast neckline and the wide sleeves. Smashing. (And I looked at the sleeveless maxi, and that's beautiful too.)

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  15. Gorgeous dress, the contrasting fabric is perfect.

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  16. Wow Eugenia, your dress is gorgeous! I have looked at this pattern several times & thought it was a bit blah, but not anymore! Yours looks great!
    Good job on the careful cutting too, taking extra care like that ALWAYS pays off.
    Now I think I need to make this pattern up myself, now that you've shown us how versatile it is!
    (although mine would have to be a summer version as it is stinking hot here, I'm leaning to the top left line drawing, love that sleeve & neckline!)
    Great result Eugenia!

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  17. Merry Xmas Eugenia! Another great dress. I love the pattern and something tunic-y with thick tights/leggings and knee boots is just the ticket around here these days!

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  18. It is lovely! I really like the wide sleeves.

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  19. Your excellent attention to cutting out really paid off! And good call on the midriff band.

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  20. Very nice! The boots make it. Ditto what Amanda S said.

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  21. Cute dress. The print is beautiful. And your cutting and print matching is amazing, i didn't even see the midriff band!

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  22. I never even noticed that view, even though I own and have made the pattern. Love your version!

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  23. Oh, E! That is just an amazing dress and fit!! That pattern is such a winner on you. WTG!!!

    SherryV

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  24. This dress is a knck out. I love it on you. I've seen this pattern sewn up a number of times with great results. I'm now going to have to get this pattern.
    I read your blog regularly and hope you have a Happy Holiday.

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  25. I really like this! The fabric is wonderful and I think it's much sleeker without a contrasting band.

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  26. Super dress. That fabric is gorgeous. Happy Holidays!
    C

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  27. Fabulous dress, you now have an "air"of the 70s

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  28. I am going to have to try this pattern now. I love your version. Happy new year!!!

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  29. Fabulous! This pattern has been on my list forever, but I think it's time to finally sew it up already!

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  30. This dress is stunning on you! I love this pattern, too! It's so slimming on everyone... and that's one of the keys to a sewing gal's heart. :)

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