Back in June I tried to tantalise you with a sneak peek of a new make. It was reproduction vintage Vogue 8728 and at the time I couldn’t have been more in love with it. Since then a couple of issues made me love it slightly less, hence the delayed post.
Firstly, I decided to try out Diet Chef for a couple of months. The food was relatively gross (if you're used to cooking delicious meals from scratch), but it did the trick and I lost over 10lbs which I’ve just about managed to keep off. Although I’m over the moon with the weight-loss, it also means that my dress is now too loose to wear without a belt and not as flatteringly figure-hugging as before. The second issue is the cheap jersey I bought from the Birmingham rag market, which has lost a lot of its vibrancy after a just a couple of washes.
But I’ve decided to embrace this dress for what it is. A comfortable day dress with a slight shabby-chic print! I figured I’ve made worse things before and although my Vogue 8728 isn’t as chic as the versions that originally inspired me (Casey’s and Adey’s), it’s still totally wearable.
The pattern is easy enough to follow and the construction is pretty simple, especially if you use jersey and omit the zip. I love omitting zips! As usual I shortened the bodice pieces by a couple of inches, but my other fitting issues were ridiculous. This pattern has A LOT of ease...does anyone else agree? I’m pretty busty as you may have noticed, but I had to cut out the smallest size on top and then take in even more ease. I know my shoulders are narrow and my waist is small, but I’m not smaller than a size 8 for crying out loud!?! So anyway, there was some tweaking as I went along with this one, but tweaking jersey is never too taxing and is quite forgiving in my opinion.
So anyway, there you have it...my overdue Vogue 8728!
Now I just need to decide what to make next. I have many ideas swimming around in my head, more than a couple of muslins cut out and I’m also very tempted by Gertie’s new coat sewalong! With all these jumbled thoughts, I run the risk of becoming overwhelmed again and freezing up completely. But making and sticking to a plan hasn’t always worked out for me in the past, so it’s a bit of a vicious circle!
Have any of you got tried and tested techniques for choosing your next make and staying focussed?
Ooh you look beautiful. I love the dress and wow well done on the weight loss - that's amazing! Very lovely outfit and congratulations :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne!
DeleteTotally wearable? I'd say it's more than that - I'd say it's totally frigging gorgeous. I absolutely love it, Marie. It's so elegant yet, as you say, comfie-looking. That looks like my type of dress! I can give you no advice with the planning as currently feel totally overwhelmed myself.
ReplyDeleteKaren, you're too kind! I love how you're organising an apronalong by the way!
DeleteI love it! It's not easy to convert a woven pattern to jersey, at least not when I've tried it. I had to remove a whole lot of ease, both horizontally and even some vertically! But this dress looks great on you, elegant but comfy, perfect for everyday wear =)
ReplyDeleteI've recently changed my approach to sewing planning by starting with what I want in my wardrobe, and what's need to made to remedy that. Got a big post planned on this in a couple of weeks! But also: making a sewing list, and maybe not sticking to the order on it, but keeping to the garments on the list. Just an idea!
Thanks Erika - for your kind words and advice! Sounds like you have a very sensible approach to sewing plans, I'll be keeping an eye out for your blog post...I need al the help I can get ;o)
Deleteooo Marie, you look stunning! this is a lovely dress and looks great on you. I love this pattern - and I really want to try it next year (hopefully by then I'll be better at sewing with knits). And well done on the weight loss! x
ReplyDeleteThank you Shivani...I think this style will look cracking on you!
DeleteI love this dress, but it seems very blocky on me. I have only worn m ine once, then I'll see a review, think 'oh, I have that and she looks adorable' and get mine out for another try and feel like a little seersucker hunchback. I love it on you!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you look nothing like a seersucker hunchback in your version, but if you're worried, have you tried a belt with it? Of maybe you just need to take out some ease and make it more fitted?
DeleteThis is a really beautiful dress Marie, and it looks perfect on you, despite the bittersweet process... It would also look amazing with a cropped cardi tied up at front as an Autumnal option, which would cinch without need for a belt.
ReplyDeleteI'm also feeling pretty overwhelmed - and combine that with a massive backlog of unblogged makes piling up - so I've been trying to organise my head with list upon list upon list...ugh! Nothing like some cosy wintry weather to get back into the swing of things though :)
The cardi idea is brilliant, as a belt starts to hurt after a long day!
DeleteYou look absolutely beautiful Marie and the dress looks stunning. It's right up there with Casey's version in my opinion! x
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks Jane...that's so lovely to hear!
DeleteIt's a beautiful dress. It looks to me like the perfect blend of comfort and style.
ReplyDeleteThanks...it really is nice and comfy!
DeleteI've written myself a list for this spring/summer. Now I can't decide where to start, largely because I know what I should sensibly sew first but I really want to make something else further down the list. I guess it depends why you sew - is it practical or for fun? If its about fun, then sew the things you really want to. I was totally slapped out of my stagnant period this morning when I spied the Anise jacket, it's so me and I know making it will make me happy and I will adore wearing it as a result.
ReplyDeleteBTW I love your dress - shabby chic and all. Gorgeous.
You certainly raise some really interesting questions here. I think I need to figure out why I sew in the first place, as I don't think I really know...I know I will be making Anise though!
Deletelovely! such a great pattern and wearable in summer (what summer?) with bare legs and tights in the winter.
ReplyDeletewell done on your weight loss btw!
re deciding on next make, i am wardrobe planning this year. i lost a lot of weight, had a big wardrobe clearout and so i can see where the gaps are and what i need to make. so i am trying a focused plan (with a lot of colette and gertie) for winter and see how it goes!
Thank you and yes, I hope to wear this dress in the winter too!
DeleteWell done on your weight loss too, it's great that you've now identified gaps in your wardobe that you can work on filling!
Love this dress and congrats on your weight loss - that's really impressive!
ReplyDeleteI really need to try a jersey/knit dress like this soon! It seems like such a practical yet adorable addition to the wardrobe. :)
Thank you! Yes, do try it - it's easy enough and really comfy to wear!
DeleteI made this dress with a woven fabric and had the same issues you did with the huge amounts of ease - especially in the chest and shoulders. I also hacked off a good foot and a half of skirt width since the amount of gathers was insane. I love this dress, but if I make it again I'm going to start out at least 1 size smaller in the bodice and maybe 5 sizes smaller for the skirt! After reading your post, I feel like I need to try it in a knit!
ReplyDeleteGood to know I'm not the only one! If you try it in jersey, definitely go much, much smaller ;o)
DeleteSoooooo cute! I love your belt too
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI love your dress! It looks really comfortable too.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I usually don't start a project unless I love the project and I love the fabric I'm working with, and then I only do one project at a time. I'm definitely going to be making Gertie's coat pattern, just a winter coat version.
Thanks Janice! I think your approach to sewing is perfect! I used to only work on one thing at a time, but then something happened and now I have a handful of UFO's...need to sort it out!!!
DeleteIt's still a very pretty frock, sometimes I think that the important thing with dressmaking is to embrace the mistakes and just enjoy the item you have made.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right Louise and I'm really glad that I've accepted this dress!
DeleteYey I love this dress! And I love your green sandals too, you look fab! As you know I am not the best person to talk to when it comes to staying focused, so no tips there I'm afraid...but as always I can't wait to see what you make next :) x
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lot of ease in this dress, good thing you adjusted it so you looks so lovely on you now! Great retro feel to the print of the fabric too.
ReplyDeleteP.S.
Whenever I leave a comment on your blog I always get a delivery status failure sent to my email, this has never happened on any other blogs I comment on and I see that my comments to seem to post here just fine but thought I should let you know.
Thanks for letting me know Bri! I don't know why that happens (it's not just you), but rest assured that your comments do come through and I love reading each one!
DeleteAw, Marie, you look beautiful. The dress looks fab, totally and completely wearable. The belt does a great job at cinching in any excess fabric. I really can't see it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the weight loss. It's a battle I continue to lose while living in England, with its gorgeous chocolate. *Shakes fists at Minstrels sitting on her desk*
Thanks Mela! I bet you weight loss is an ongoing battle for most women (even ones that won't admit it), but you've done incredibly well yourself so a bit of chocolate (treats in general) won't hurt now and then ;o)
DeleteThe dress is beautiful and you look great! Has the weight loss made your other garments looser fitting as well? Since I lost a little weight my dresses are a little too baggy on me :(
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, it has a little, but this dress was the 'worse' in the loosness stakes...jersey for ya! It's annoying for sure, but exciting too!
DeleteI LOVE this-- it's absolutely gorgeous, and you look beautiful! Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI have some solid knit fabric and I was contemplating making this dress. I think I'm going to go ahead and do it, with following the measurements on the pattern tissue to guide my initial fitting and go from there. Your version is a great day dress and the fit on you is AMAZING! Great work! I think the reason the two you were inspired by looked more chic was simply because they were solid. Prints tend to look more casual.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're probably right! Good luck with your solid version, can't wait to see it!
DeleteOh but it looks amazing on you!!
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind!
DeleteWell done! You look beautiful (of course, you did before :) and that dress is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks so much!
DeleteThe dress looks lovely and so do you! I also really love your shoes!
ReplyDeleteThank you! The shoes are pretty lovely I agree ;o)
DeleteLooks great to me. Wear it with the belt and enjoy it. And now you've tweaked the pattern a bit you could always make another if the fabric fades too much.
ReplyDeleteAs for planning...I think it's fun to plan but I try to ditch the plan as soon as it starts to feel boring. Sewing's supposed to be fun. This method leads to a wardrobe full of things I only wear once or twice a year though...
Thanks Catherine, you're so right on both matters!
DeleteLooks like a lovely fit to me! Well done on the make AND the weight loss! I know the drudgery of dieting so well done you!
ReplyDeletePx
Thank you Portia and you know I think you've done amazingly well too...you look stunning!
DeleteWow, it's really sweet! Well done fixing your fitting issues on the fly- that scares me lol! Anyway, it's super cute :)
ReplyDeleteThanks very much! It always feels good being able to eliminate a zip ;o)
DeleteThis is my favourite version I have seen of this frock. The scoop neck looks great on you! Thank you for voting on my dress, MUCH appreciated... from all the way over the other side of the world no less! xx Renay
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great compliment...thank you! And you're welcome, your dress is stunning!
DeleteIt looks great, I love the shabby-chic print and yay for jersey dresses!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alessa, great compliment coming from the queen of jersey!
DeleteI have nothing at staying focused and keeping to plan!
ReplyDeleteThat dress is gorgeous and love it with those green heels.
Haha, I know how you feel! And thank you!
DeleteIt's totally gorgeous and the fabric is still so pretty in my book, but sorry that it's let you down a Bit. Really stylish we able dress style and you look SO cute in it. Project planning.....I'm in the same place as you although hoping to have some more head space from today to get organised! Janes approach seemed good to me as she kept it realistic....my tendency is to create a "plan" which is actually more of a wish list, far too long!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Winnie and don't be sorry. I think I can get away with the faded print...may even make it looks more 'vintage'...hehe! Jane's approach really is a good one. I'm a bit too all over the place with my ideas!
DeleteReally great, Marie, well done you! I have found that all the vintage vogues I have made (well, both of them) have been way too big - think it is something to do with the vintage sizing and/or the amounts of ease they used back then for the fits they wanted.
ReplyDeleteYes, this should be a lesson learned...I think a lot of people say vintage patterns tend to have a lot of ease in them!
DeleteWell maybe it's just the photos, or your wasp-like waist, but you look positively fabulous! I'm still counting this dress as a huge success! :)
ReplyDeleteHah, thanks lady! As usual, you are too kind ;o)
DeleteIt's lovely - fresh and flattering.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gail!
DeleteYou look absolutely gorgeous in the dress. It looks really nice with a belt. It also looks quite comfortable, and I like the print. It's still a success in my book. Your version may be what makes me finally make my own version of this dress, after admiring everyone else's versions for so long. I too have way to many projects floating around in my head for the fall. I'm having a hard time narrowing things down. I hope you can find a plan that works for you.
ReplyDeleteIt's a totally fabulous dress! I agree - lots and lots of ease when I made this, which was a complete surprise, but it was easy to fix - I love that jersey is so fixable and forgiving. The fabric is pretty fantastic, and I love the added splash of color from the belt, even if the belt is meant more for practicality :) So very well done!
ReplyDeleteThis gorgeous dress is infintely better looking on you than on your dress form. Love the fabric, the ruching, and that smug i-just-totally-made-an-awesome-dress look. You are one pretty lady!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! You look gorgeous, indeed, it must be a real relief, to have lost so much weight, Marie. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThe dress is great too, with all its fady-ness and shabby-chic vibe!
Ooh I love the new blog look! I have that pattern too but haven't ever tried it.I'm afraid my bust would look ginormous with all of those gathers.. It's beautiful on you! very flattering and feminine
ReplyDeleteI like it!! I have this pattern, now I want to make it up immediately. Congrats on the weight loss too! Same thing has happened to me, so I understand how it's annoying to finish a garment then not have it fit properly. (But still love the lighter figure right?!)
ReplyDeletePrint pattern notwithstanding (I dislike all prints) I think that dress is super cute! Is there any way for you to add fabric ties in lieu of the belt? (And congrats on the weight loss that necessitates it!) Very impressed, all round. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm just reading your blog (from the beginning). I LOVE this dress on you. It's very flattering. Besides the white belt, you could also use a belt in the dark blue color that's in the print, and probably any of the other colors. A slim belt would also be great, I think. You really look good in one color or one print from neckline to hemline. It's very slenderizing.
ReplyDeleteI've been eying this pattern on the McCall's site. I wish they had used a prettier fabric for their model to wear, because, wow! I love this dress on you!
ReplyDelete