Friday 17 June 2011

Vogue 8664 - hot dress alert!

You may not have noticed this pattern - the pattern envelope is quite understated, a couple of drawings, no photograph of the actual dress - so I nearly passed it by. Except for the fact that it is one of those Custom Fit patterns that gives you separate pieces for A, B, C, D cup sizes and I'm a real fan of those. So I bought it and, feeling the need for a classic sheath, made it up:
 
Every woman needs a little red dress!
I really like how this pattern turned out - I think it has a kind of Mad Men meets Roland Mouret look!

In my opinion it has a wonderful cut. The fit is well-judged, just the right amount of ease, and I really like the midriff piece: it adds waist definition without being uncomfortable. The neckline is interesting but not too low. I also think that the skirt is pegged perfectly - not too tight for comfort but it tapers in just enough to give it some va va voom. On that note I should probably mention that my DH LOVES this dress. If you’re looking for a sleek sheath, you might want to snap this pattern up.

Vogue 8664
What's more it is classified by Vogue as Very Easy to make. Which it is. The trickiest part of the construction is the attachment of the sleeves. Here’s a tip - when marking up the pattern it is important that you differentiate between the large and the small dots at the lower corners. 

Cap sleeve pattern piece

At first glance the sleeve pattern piece might look symmetrical but it isn't and the folks at Vogue have been smart in putting a large dot at the back and a small dot at the front to be matched with the bodice pieces. Take notice of these to ensure that you don't accidentally try to sew the sleeves in back to front. (I bet you're thinking that's exactly what I did. Well, as it happens, I didn't, but I have been caught out by this kind of thing before so have, hopefully, learnt my lesson!). Personally I make tailor's tacks using a different coloured thread for each of the dots because they show on both the right and wrong side and are easily removed but using different coloured chalk would also work. When it comes to sewing the sleeves, ensure that you match the dots exactly and then the sleeves will go in perfectly.

Sleeves good, arms not so much!
A note on the fabric I used – it’s 100% wool, called Gabrielle Gabardine, purchased from Vogue Fabrics, and I lined it with bemberg rayon.

So, I love this pattern. Will I make it again? I think I might!

65 comments:

  1. Hot mama! You look fantastic!

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  2. Fabulous in red, and so elegant!

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  3. LOVE the color. Beautiful fit.

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  4. I hadn't even considered buying this pattern, but now I need it immediately!

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  5. Your husband is right - that is one gorgeous red dress on you!

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  6. Awesome dress! Looks great on you. Love the sleeves!

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  7. The colour...fantastic and it fits so well. Good to see a photo of this dress made up. It gives a better perspective of how it will look. I have had this pattern sitting on my sewing table for about 2 weeks now while I tried to find the right fabric. Today I bought some brown suiting fabric as I intend to make up the long sleeve version. Thanks for the tip about the dots.

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  8. Smokin' hot dress alert! I'm loving the sleeve. Those two darts give it a boxy shape at the top. Gorgeous!

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  9. That's a lovely dress, Eugenia and it looks fantastic on you. ( There's a song in Greek about a red dress - I'll try to find it for you.It's a good song)

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  10. Gorgeous dress!! I've passed over this pattern as well, since I have several sheath patterns in the stash, but that sleeve is so interesting. When is the next Vogue sale?

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  11. Totally hot, for sure. And I'm a big fan of red. Really makes a statement. Such a smart idea to have separate pieces for the bust size. It would be great if all patterns had that feature.

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  12. Very pretty dress, Eugenia! The fit and color are perfect for you - I can see why hubbs loves it so much.

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  13. Eugenia, here's a link the Greek song 'To kokino foustani -the red dress' Whenever I hear the song, I'll remember your dress!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_CA-3YkO5c

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  14. Really beautiful, I love the detail on the sleeve. It is interesting without being overpowering.

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  15. I think we must be on the same wavelength because I was just looking at this dress. I love this on you and the red is beautiful!

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  16. Wonderful dress! Very elegant and with perfect fit! I agree with montanachic, all the details are unusual without being loud.

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  17. I never noticed that shaped sleeve detail before - love it!

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  18. Wow, you look "absolutely fabulous" in this gorgeous dress. The red is a terrific color for you and it fits perfectly. Bravo!

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  19. What a gorgeous dress and the colour....!!!! Fabulous on you :D
    But Oh dear! I had just promised myself that I wouldn't buy even one more pattern, and now you show us this beauty!
    I had passed it by, but those sleeves are sweeter than chocolate.
    I suspect that there'll be a run on this pattern now, so without any further ado...I'm going pattern shopping!

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  20. The sleeves are very interesting with the darted heads. Gorgeous dress!

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  21. Wow-ee Eugenia! What a great colour and style and the fit is perfect. It looks like a very expensive, high end designer dress - indeed very Mad Men/Mouret. Vogue rather undersold this pattern, you'd never know from a casual glance at the pattern pics that it has such great features, particularly those sleeves - very nice.

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  22. This is a beautiful dress!! It is a nice version of a sheath.

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  23. Gorgeous dress!!! Love the color and the style - you did a fantastic job, as usual!

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  24. You should definitely make this again because it is beautiful on you!

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  25. That is a cool sleeve, thank you for the close up and the tip. Definitely a hot dress!

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  26. What a beautiful dress ! You did a wonderful job :-) and it looks stunning on you xx

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  27. Gorgeous dress. Great fit and red is the perfect color for you.

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  28. The dress is wonderful - and you look just great in it!

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  29. This dress is absolutely gorgeous! and it fits you beautifully!

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  30. What a beautiful dress! The fit is perfect and you look stunning!

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  31. Really lovely dress. Mmm, red!

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  32. I can see why your hubby likes this so much! The sleeves are a great detail. They are very unique.

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  33. Beautiful! It fits you perfectly, I love the length and that cute sleeve!

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  34. I am completely buying this dress!! Heck to the yes, I am!
    I love it on you - and agree with Hubby - completely flattering
    and showcases your great figure!

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  35. SOLD! I absolutely love that sleeve detail. Fitted but comfortable ticks all the boxes for me. Thank you so much for flagging this up to us. You look beautiful.

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  36. Wow what a fantastic dress! I totally never noticed that sleeve shape - it's so Maison Martin Margiela!

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  37. You look drop dead gorgeous in this! And what a cool sleeve. Very, very, nice!

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  38. Wow! Hot, hot, hot! :)

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  39. Wow! What an amazing fit! It is a beautiful dress. At first it just looks really classic, but then the sleeves give it a little twist. Very pretty, and I love the lipstick red colour.

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  40. Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful!

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  41. What a wonderful color for you! And the pattern ain't bad either! Definitely one you should sew again!

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  42. That is one fantastic dress! I agree everyone should own a little red dress. Thanks for making this up, I probably would have overlooked the pattern as well. :]

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  43. Fabulous dress, it looks fantastic on you.

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  44. It's beautiful - love the sleeve shape.

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  45. That IS a hot dress! I like the sweatheart neckline and the unusual, pleated sleeve. Very pretty.

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  46. Great dress! And it looks impeccably finished!

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  47. This is beyond gorgeous, WOW!!
    I bet it looks stunning in black as well (hint, hint....) ;-)

    Lilian
    (still not able to comment with my Google-account, sorry...)

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  48. WOW Eugenia you look awesome in this dress. This looks so professional and I think maybe one of the best things you have made so far.

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  49. Scrumptious and the fit is fabulous - this looks absolutely perfect. You seem to be doing more tricky items, and really quickly, you should be so pleased with all you are accomplishing.

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  50. Eugenia your title is absolutely correct, but you need to add one more word..."Warning!" Hot Dress Alert!! This is Gorgeous on you!

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  51. That is one hot dress indeed! You're sizzling! LOL! Such a pretty dress in a beautiful fabric. You look stunning:)

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  52. Love the shaping of the sleeves. You look fabulous in red.

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  53. So gorgeous. I plan to be totally shameless and copy you-- including the red!

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  54. This looks fantastic on you! The color is beautiful as well. I've bypassed this pattern several times.... I need to rethink it. Thanks for sharing!

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  55. Oh, my God! The sleeves of the dress are a wonderful show for my eyes! beautiful dress, no surprising that your husband love it!

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  56. I love your dress so much that I bought that pattern today!

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  57. Love this dress. It's definitely red hot. I esp like the sleeves!

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  58. Just bought this pattern and googled it for images. So excited to make it after seeing yours! Beautiful work.

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  59. This is one amazing dress for a darn sexy lady.

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  60. I love, love this dress! Great job! I was researching simplicity 2403 as I am going to make it and I chanced upon your blog. I love your work.

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