Saturday, June 21, 2008

Finished: BWOF+SS08 - 414A Dress

This is my "Dress of Invisible Features". Everything I like about the design is invisible to the naked eye.

Pattern Description:
Shirtwaist dress with contrasting sleeve bands and hem band.

Pattern Sizing:
European 46 - 54

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Typical BWOF instructions

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the design. I prefer tailored dresses over dressy dresses. I like the contrasting sleeve- and hem-bands, although my fabric selection didn't show off that contrast - the first invisible feature. If you look really closely at the photo, you'll notice the hem band and sleeve band have a subtle stripe. Another feature you can't see is the bib in the bodice. (Click smaller photo to enlarge) The edgestitch foot made it very easy to achieve even top stitching. Clipping the corners made it easy to achieve square corners. But, those details are lost in the fabric. You'd have to have your head in my bosom to notice them (and unless you are Denzel Washington, Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs or my next husband you're not going to get that close). Usually I wouldn't wear a dress with a seam at the waistline because it calls attention to my NDW Syndrome (No Discernable Waist). But this dress silhouette is boxy enough so I can get away with it. The pleats in the skirt give the illusion of a waist. The dress is shown with a belt in the magazine, but I may or may not try to find a belt. The skirt has in-seam pockets, but one would want those to be invisible.

Fabric Used:
"Linen-look" from JoAnn. Linen is my favorite fabric to sew, but because it wrinkles so much, it's not my favorite fabric to wear. This synthetic linen is just as easy to sew, but it isn't as breathable as the real thing. It's a good weight and works well as a dress fabric.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
The only change I made was to lengthen the bodice by one inch.

Conclusion:
I wish I'd chosen fabrics with more contrast. The features that attracted me to the dress are nearly invisible because of my fabric selection. However, the dress is comfortable and I'm satisfied with the fit.

13 comments:

  1. Okay, I just about lost it with the Denzel, Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut comment!!! *LOL*

    Elaray ~ why don't you try the dress again using a subtle stripe fabric...you will definitely see the elements of the dress better and it won't be a bold, brassy print! :)

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  2. Your dress is beautifully sewn, and the style really suits you.

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  3. Giggling at the bosom comment too. I adore Taye Diggs!

    I don't think you should be wishing for anything with this dress ... it's WONDERFUL!! And it is so very flattering on you. You definitely have to make it again and when you do, then you can add more contrast and it won't look like you have 2 of the same dress.

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  4. tee hee,,, very funny on the bosom joke, your dress looks great!

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  5. Do you think the dress would give me a waist too? You look wonderful in this dress. I like subtle. It adds class. I'm so glad you're sewing the BWOF dresses, because I'm going to follow you if everything turns out this nice.

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  6. I gotta tell you Elaray, this dress is pretty terrific on you. It's classy. It does in fact give you a wait and your on point with the style too.

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  7. I love this dress on you! Very nice job - to me it gives you a waist and looks great.

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  8. That's a really lovely dress on you. The colour is perfect and the style is very flattering. I agree with summeset - it gives you a great shape. It's a very verstatile style, too, in that you can dress it up or dress it down very easily.
    Carol

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  9. LOL...the bosom comment and NDW syndrome, which my two sisters and I suffer from. I think this dress turned out great and I may want to give it a try.

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  10. This dress is very flattering on you! I love the subtle details.

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  11. A dress for NDW syndrome? Seeing how this looks on you - I'm all over it!

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