Dress Pattern Search Results

    I looked over all for dresses in just about all the pattern sites and found just a handful of interesting patterns. It is surprising that the pattern companies don't have more variety in the form of dress patterns. Most of the patterns were either shapeless, as in the gathering of fabric at the neckline with no curve towards the body (a somewhat younger look), or long, simple ensembles to be worn over a turtle neck (middle school Mrs. Deerlove style).  

  Now, I'm new to this, perhaps I am overlooking the potential of a given pattern. We'll see with time. But I was surprised I could actually narrow my search on the initial gathering.








The above Vogue knit dress pattern V8513 looks more like a date dress than a day dress, but maybe with the right fabric it would look nice without being too formal during the day.  The shoes make a huge difference. 

  The basic design of the dress is nice and simple and classy: high back, hem below knee, waist tie and frilly skirt.  I think I like all the options for sleeves as well.

V8489 is one of the only dress patterns I saw where the waist curves higher in the front and lower in the back.  That is flattering to the figure and while I'm not a huge fan of v-necks I would sew this pattern to see the effect.  The hem is a little longer, at mid calf, which also moves this pattern toward a more formal style than day ware, but again, maybe with the right knit...

Now this is definitely one I will sew.  I love everything about this McCall M5577 jumper- comfortable-looking, cute, a bit silly- and an undisputed daytime dress. 

  

  Here is a McCall M5804 (somewhat younger-looking) dress that looks an awful lot like the dress I like from Apologique.  I actually like this design more because here the skirt flares while the boutique dress is tight fitting.  A nicer look for evening, but I'm a good year away from dates at night.  

  The hem is higher on the leg which is actually nicer in the hotter, less breezy weather of summer.

Above is the velvet dress from Apoologique that is somewhat like the Hillary Duff pattern.

Absolutely loved this Burda 7783 dress when Threads Magazine mentioned it in an issue from half a year ago.  The wide yoke neck is a interesting touch and pockets in a dress is just wonderful, especially ones right at the hip.  


































This Burda blouse 7821 attracted me to this pattern, but I think the dress would make for a nice beach cover-up or simple comfortable day dress. The skirt is short enough that shorts tights might look okay under them.

Online Dresses

  Shopping online for clothing has never suited me well, rightfully so.  The model's body is not my own and, like most women, I shift between two sizes-and petite clothing- depending on the brand.  These online stores are very helpful for me, the outdated fashionata.   (After two years of childrearing I am finally looking at the jeans and simple black sweater I wear daily and wonder what happened to that Jenny-style.)

  I decided to stay focused with day dresses to find a common theme of dress that attracts my sensibility.  

  This pleated crepe tank dress is from White House/ Black Market.  I like how the neckline curves out at the sides and is level just above the cleavage.  I like the modest yet flirty cuts- they are always flattering.  Not a huge fan of skirts/dresses that cut just level to the knee, but the hem of this dress seems to have a bit of a flare.  Perhaps that would cancel the chunky calve and ankle effect.  

  I am definitely a fan of form fitting dresses, although I'm sure with this dress I went past the simple day dress design I was looking for.  

  Ann Taylor has a few day dresses that are nice.  This Pleated skirt sweater dress has scoop neck with wide shoulder drop leading to short sleeves.  Love this cut- comfortable to wear with the simple elegance that is always present when showing neck and collarbone (not a very feminine bone, altho better than saying clavicle, as in The English Patient.)

  It has a higher hem cut and defined waist at waistline- also a flattering cut to my figure.  The pleats make for ease of movement and ease of motion to the skirt.

Here is another from Ann Taylor.  Basically what I like from this pleated knit dress is that it looks extremely comfortable and very sexy.  The lower, triangular cut with the pleats that converge toward the natural waistline give the effect of form fitted shirt with comfortable bottoms.  Always a classy look.  Actually loving the puffy sleeves at the wrist-adds to the casual look of the skirt.

  Ann Taylor again has a beautiful casual design.  This simple cut (excluding the bust which is actually a complicated twist)  carries over well in the box design on the fabric.  This looks hard to sew, but I like the hemline, silhouette, neckline and tiny sleeves.  The perfect day dress for lunch and a walk.

Ordering first dress online

"Enchantingly feminine summer dress, blouse and top! This season’s decorative detail is the small tucks on the round neck as well as the high-waisted Empire Line.
Recommended fabric: Cotton fabrics, linen, crêpe fabrics"
I found a spring dress that is easy to sew and calls for easy to sew, inexpensive fabrics. The pattern should be here in about a week so I have to start fabric shopping. Making a few versions of this dress with different types of fabrics will give me the practice I need, so I'm planning to pick up a cotton print, to wear as a casual dress, and some sort of crepe, for a swimsuit cover-up.


Constructing two of the same patterns allows me to correct the problems that I'm sure I'll make when sewing the first one. The hard part is deciding which fabric to sew first.

Wrong Dress Size

Oh well, I bought the wrong size again! I don't know what goes through my mind when I look at the pattern but for some reason the "B" on the front is always overlooked.
Now I am just going to shop online for patterns. It'll be easier to make sure I get what I want and this will cut down on impulse buying.
I've been reading the different pattern sites around and the blogs of people who make clothing.
My focus needs to be narrowed I realize. I need to see what is out there in the way of fashion and compare what I like to what flatters my body. This project is different from walking into a store, trying on clothes and taking a chance that with a few wares the pants will be molded to my hips. Or just shrug that perhaps a knit shirt will look good on me.
Whenever an article of clothing or accessory catches my eye while searching on the internet, I want to note it in here with a little picture. That way hopefully I'll be able to choose patterns that have a similar look. I saw one girl's blog includes pics of designer clothes on her body taken from inside a dressing room at Bloomingdale's. I doubt I'll go as far as that. I would take a pic of it on the hanger, jk. maybe
If I'm going to spend the time and money attempting to make quality clothing, I want to be sure I choose the right projects from the get-go.

My first project is to find a simple dress to sew. Starting out simple- from the beginning because all of this is so new- I'm searching fashion net for dresses that look nice. From someone who has never followed high fashion the number of designers in New York alone to be shifted through is a bit daunting. This website organizes the designers by city and gives a brief synopsis of the look, then a link to their website. Pretty cool.

Easy Knit dress

I bought this knit fabric to go along with this easy dress pattern to jump start my pattern sewing. Sadly with wedding planning for my sister and Christmas crazyness my mom and I had to put the shirt sewing on hold. Now back in Massachusetts I am going to go it alone, for now.

Patchwork Quilt

Scrap fabric usually takes up a drawer of my craft supplies so I decided to make a patchwork quilt with it. The quilt is not big enough to be used as a blanket, it is about 24" x 26", so it might look nice as a wall hanging. It is not that visually pleasing in the design and I'm not too sure that quilting with the light rose colored thread I have will add much to the effect, especially from farther than five feet, but we'll see. Maybe if the quilt still looks kind of dull after the whole surface is covered with the leaf/vine design, I'll add some colored accents to highlight the quilting.

Sewing Inspiration

So, I grew up with stories randomly told to me by mom- after much pressing and with little detailed return- about her days of sewing. She would say she had sewn bathing suits, blouses, shirts and even a suit for a high school boyfriend. Then the tale would turn with one of her shrugs and raised eyebrows: the price of patterns and fabric became more expensive than ready made clothing. So she stopped sewing. Every time I tried to press further into the depths of her interest- why not just make some clothing every now and then? were the ready made clothing better than her personalized version, if so how? did she begin sewing just to put clothes on her back? I realized she originally had a hobby that interested her, but, due to mastering the craft of the commercial pattern and the lack of internal drive to create a challenging project, my mom's sewing interest evaporated. A few years ago when I asked for a sewing machine for my birthday my mom had to scan the instructions to thread the machine. I remember not wanting her help in any of these matters- as a character trait I like to experience all new things on my own terms- but I wonder if I just didn't want my mom's attitude to effect mine.
I have thankfully included her in my sewing interest and although she has never been one to care passionately about my hobby affairs, she will be there to help line up pattern pieces when I need the help.
I have a little mommy and me project planned for the winter break: sewing a pattern together. I hope she is up for it.