Finally, My Perfect Jersey Dress
That's right. After much thought, I believe I have achieved a perfectly useful dress. I want my jersey dresses to work for everything--housework, gardening, church, going out. It's hard to come up with one design that does all that.
I love to do elaborate embellishment which pushes these dresses up the fanciness spectrum, making them a poor choice for the okra patch.
What I've decided to do is break things up into two pieces. Plain jersey dress underneath. Embellished matching bolero on top. And, important to me, I finally lengthened this dress by ten inches, and now it's *just* right. The coverage, the drape, the feel (this is the six-gore dress from Alabama Studio Style by Natalie Chanin).
I haven't made the bolero for this dress yet, but I picked up this thrifty number yesterday for a dollar fifty. Bolero is next, and will be fun.
13 comments:
Clever! That sounds like a win-win to me. I do envy you adding ten inches to the length, I have to take ten inches off the length of everything!
Anna, you sound like a woman after my own heart in your desire to have very versatile clothing. I would love to have a couple of good dresses that "do everything". I do have one such very versatile skirt, unfortunately it is the wrong colour. I wish I were a better seamstress and could try sewing myself a copy in grey. Maybe I can solicit my mother to help me....
Jennifer
What a beautiful dress! A question ( I have been lurking for a few months, and this is my first comment) you use a stretch stitch for felling the seams- do you find it adds to the elasticity in the length, or do you do it because it is pretty? I have been using a straight stitch for AC jersey dresses, and wondered if feather or Cretan stitch adds to the wearability?
What a lovely dress! I'm sure it will be everything you want it to be.
Sewing is such a struggle for me but, I refuse to give up. Having just tackled french seams last year...I interpreted the feather stitch to mean it was a way of finishing the inside seam when using a jersey material....After doing a little research I soon discovered it to be a decorative stitch to be seen on the OUTSIDE of the garment.Still laughing here.Thanks for the lesson you.
I read this with great interest because I too am on the hunt for the dress-that-does-it-all (and still works on the scoliosis back). Had never considered a bolero addition and am not sure I could pull off a bolero, but would love to see your combo once you get that designed and made!
Nothing like a classic basic dress! Dress it up or not. Top it with a bolero, a weskit, a boxy
jacket, a cardigan and you can have a new look every day. I recently seen a sweet little duo..
classic jumper style dress worn with a simple boxy jacket made from a thrifted damask tablecloth!
I think this dress would make a nice background for a Frederick photo. By which I mean to say that we haven't had a Frederick post in far too long.:)
Beautiful, Anna! Did you adjust the neckline from the AC pattern as well? If so, how/by how much?
The jackets goes so well with your pretty new dress
Katsmama--the feather stitching is purely for ornamentation. The seam itself is sewn in a straight, non-stretch stitch.
Vija, yes, this is the six-gore dress from book 2. I raised the neckline about 1.5 inches (maybe?). I wouldn't mind it a little higher.
Thanks for the love!
Finding the perfect dress for your figure is half the battle in looking presentable. I'm glad you were able to make it!
Anna, is it too personal to ask what sizing you used for this "perfect jersey dress"? When I've had the privilege of buying from you, your clothes fit me perfectly. I am not satisfied with the way the AC dresses I've made usually fit and I'm a hesitant alterations gal...I am about to embark on another 6 gore dress, and would absolutely love to know about any and all adjustments/sizes you used for this project, or others (I plan for sleeves). [If you feel more comfortable responding by email I'm at: vijamerrill@mac.com] Thank you! Vija
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