Sunday 17 January 2010

a simple shift from Simplicity

Well, I’ve finished the shift dress that I wrote about in my last post, made from Simplicity 2798, and I’m quite pleased with it. It hasn’t got the same kind of ‘va va voom’ as some of my earlier dresses – it’s a neat little shift, a bit demure and, especially as it’s grey, it is rather sober looking. However, I do think that there’s a place in my wardrobe for a dress like this – there are occasions when a winter day dress doesn't need to dazzle. It looks good with flat boots or dressed up with heels and the colour goes with lots of things. Anyway, let me allow you to see for yourselves –


Of course, I would normally be wearing it with a cardi or jacket - I definitely wouldn’t be standing around in the snow wearing only a sleeveless dress. As you can imagine, the picture was taken in double quick time – there is only so much suffering I am prepared to endure!

I liked that this dress has princess seams which were easy to fit (helped, of course, by the fact that this pattern gives separate pieces for A/B, C and D cups). When it came to pressing the seams my new pressing mitt (that I showed you in a previous post) was invaluable – I really do recommend getting one of these if you are going to be constructing a princess seam garment. It allows you to shape the curved seams really nicely.

As this is a ‘Project Runway’ inspired pattern, there are various options for ‘designer additions’. I used the front placket and the side tabs and added topstitching. Here is a close up of the yoke

I used a heavy black silk thread for the topstitching – it doesn’t show up from a distance but, close-up, I think it gives the dress a ‘finished’ look.

The pattern doesn’t give instructions for lining but I did fully line it, which is pretty easy to do. I cut the lining by using the pattern pieces for the Front, Back and Yoke as they were. I pinned together the pieces for the Upper Side Front and the Lower Side Front (overlapping them and folding in the horizontal ease on the lower piece) so that the pocket was no longer there and cut them out as one piece, like this -


As this is a winter dress, made in wool crepe, it definitely needed to be lined but for summer I’m planning an unlined version in linen or cotton – I think it will make a nice, easy to wear (and make) dress. But before I get around to that I’ve got a few more winter garments in the planning stage ….

34 comments:

  1. You look great in it. A nice bright cardiagan and it's not so somber afterall. Enjoy

    - Myrna

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  2. That is lovely Eugenia . It is a a really nicely detailed day dress . I personally don't have many of but they are so invaluable . I bet you will wear it to death .

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  3. I consider that a well done staple. You'll probably get so much wear out of that dress just because it fit well and is so nicely tailored.

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  4. Brrrr! I love your topstitching. It looks perfect...can you tell that I am jealous!

    It looks lovely in the charcoal grey wool.

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  5. Beautiful! Can you put a lightweight turtleneck or a shirt under it? Or are the armholes to close to the body? If you can wear something under it then it really does become a hardworking piece in your wardrobe.

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  6. What a great classic piece - I can see this accessorized so many different ways. I imagine it will be a real work horse in your wardrobe.

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  7. It's lovely! I could see myself wearing a dress like that so much, with a jacket, a cardi, a long sleeve shirt underneath. The options are endless. It fits you very well!

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  8. I love it. You put out such great work!

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  9. It looks lovely on you. I love all of the little details topstitching.

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  10. Very pretty dress, great details.

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  11. What a great dress. You look so fabulous in these shiftdresses. And grey is definitely a mix-n-match colour. Enjoy wearing this!

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  12. Wonderful - it is very suitable for your figure - adorable, actually - I'm adding this to my stash!!

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  13. Beautiful, with accesories you can keep it understated or more attention getting. I really, really like it.

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  14. Very pretty dress and I like the style and details of the front.

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  15. I love it. Classic yet contemporary. Well done.

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  16. Thanks to everyone for your kind comments which are very much appreciated.
    Carolyn - I think wearing something underneath is an excellent idea. I have made the armholes quite close-fitting but I think they would accomodate something light weight - I'm going to try out some things from my wardrobe with it right now. This style is turning out to be very versatile!

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  17. That's a great dress. Looks really nice on you. Gray is a very popular color right now. You could use a vibrant color handbag to give the outfit just a bit of pop!

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  18. Very pretty dress... I was wondering if there were any darts used on this dress?

    Great work!

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  19. This is a great dress and it really looks good on you. You are very brave standing in the snow in a sleeveless dress!

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  20. This looks great on you! I think blonds look especially good in black and dark greys. The details and the perfect fit really make it stand out. Where did you get silk thread?

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  21. Yeh for patterns to cater for D cups. I will definely follow with this pattern.

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  22. UmaPreve - this dress has vertical darts in the back but there are no darts at the front - the shaping is from the princess seams.

    Karin - I got the silk thread from MacCulloch and Wallis, just off Oxford Street, a store you are probably familiar with. I go there to buy it but you can buy it on the internet. It is called Seta Reale Silk No. 30, made by Coats. It comes in lots of different colours and I love it for topstitching because the No. 30 has the thickness of a buttonhole thread but is a little glossier. Here is the internet address to look at it
    http://www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk/Product.aspx/!9506

    Thanks so much for the kind comments - I really do appreciate them!

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  23. Beautiful,classic and well made.
    I plan something similar,maybe I could find that pattern .

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  24. The front placket looks beautiful! I must work on mine to get them to look so professionally done.

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  25. This dress looks gorgeous on you! The fit is superb. You did an excellent job:) I always enjoy seeing your work!

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  26. Love the dress! I need some like this one, too. It would totally fit in my wardrobe. :)

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  27. I like this so much better as you made it than on the pattern envelope. Your top stitching really does pull it all together.

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  28. I LOVE this. This would be a staple in my work wardrobe - beautifully made.

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  29. Well done! This looks great on you. Love the little touches.

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  30. This may not have been full of pizazz to sew up but it will be a dress you will go to over and over again - and be thrilled it's in your closet! I love it...reminds me I need a new LBD (little black dress) in my own closet.

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  31. The topstitching really does add a lot. A lovely result.

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  32. This is very lovely. I also live in London, and I am also learning how to sew, but I must admit i'm not doing a good job..lol

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  33. Sometimes you just need a simple, chic dress in a neutral color. I think this one looks great and I agree that it will likely get lots of use both during the warm and cooler months. Very nice!

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  34. Great dress. I'm halfway on the same dress (with sleeves) for my DD. And guess what?.., I'm lining my version as well.

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