No, this isn’t a costume, but if I had a torch I might be in business!
H A P P Y F O U R T H O F J U L Y ! ! !
I discovered this great jersey on the Mood Fabric website, and paired it with this Vogue pattern just in time for America’s Independence Day.
Generally I can envision the end result of a sewing project before I start, but not so with this one! Gathered shoulders, ruching and oversize red zebra jersey were all new to me from a sewing and fashion standpoint.
Would you believe pages 3 and 4 were missing from the instructions? The pattern is out of print so the local pattern store did not have an extra in stock. It is available on the Vogue website at $1.99, however I could not find an option to download the instructions.
I wasn’t exactly sure how to put it all together especially with the invisible side zipper but my guesswork proved adequate enough.
I notice many people on the Pattern Review say they never use the instructions. I ALWAYS
use the instructions from start to finish and must say I felt a little lost without them.
Thank goodness this one is over!
Best wishes to all for a fun, festive and safe holiday, and I invite my international friends to please join our celebration in spirit!
Happy 4th of July! The dress is so cheerful and pretty – just right for a celebration.
Many thanks, Valerie
!
I love your dress. Have a great 4th celebration!
Thank you so much, Carol!
This looks absolutely smashing on you! I love it- which pattern number was this?
Hi Lizzy! It’s Vogue 8182 which is out of print, however the Vogue website has it listed for $1.99 as a clearance item.
I love how the pattern gathers and creates new detail on the print- such a good fabric choice for this! I love it on you.
Thank you so much! I didn’t know how it was going to turn out but it was a nice surprise
I think the dress is beautiful and lively looking. Nothing wrong with that! You look so great in bright colors.
Thank you so much Marlene. For years I avoided bright colors – not sure why!
Another success! You may not have had the instructions, but it turned out fabulous. The print and pattern really complement one another. It looks great on you as well.
Many thanks, Becky! I do not want to make another pattern with dozens of step again without the instruction sheet, but it’s nice to know I can if I have to
Oh!! this dress is VERY nice! You look Great!! I want to make this!!! Happy 4th!!
Thank you so much! I love the dress you just made and became your latest follower!
lovely looking dress – you clearly got around the missing instructions ok – Happy 4th July to you
Thank you, Pauline. I don’t want to sew without instructions again but I’m glad to know I can if I have to.!
What a perfect dress for the holiday! You did a fabulous job on this one!
Thank you so much, Carolyn! I’m anxiously awaiting the completion of your lace dress
Happy 4th of July to you, your dress is fabulous
Many thanks, Lori. I hope you and your family had a great 4th as well!
Fun dress! I love the fabric choice, and it looks great on you.
Thank you so much, Andrea!
It’s the perfect marriage of fabric and pattern design.
Many thanks, Carolyn! I’m very pleased.
This dress looks great on you! I love the fabric choice. I just stumbled upon your blog thru pattern review and I am really enjoying looking at all of the beautiful items you have made. I have dabbled in sewing for several years and just recently caught the bug to make my clothes after seeing all the beautiful fabric that is available. You definitely give me the inspiration to try things that is out of my comfort zone. Please keep the blog going, I am having a great time looking at your previous posts and look forward to reading the new ones!!
Sandy,
Thank you so much for this nice comment! I made very simple clothes for myself off and on through the years, but when I committed myself to it things fell into place. Good luck with your sewing and keep me posted!
Perfect! now please send it to me, thanks much
I’m happy to if I can have that cute blue dress you just finished
!!
Great dress and perfect for the fourth. Hope you have somewhere special to go so you can show off!
Thank you, Cissie! We attend an annual party with good friends, good food and good fireworks – always fun and always special
Wow, this is one of my favorite things I’ve ever seen on you and that’s saying something. Fabulous and perfect for the 4th!
Many thanks for this nice comment, Shams!
Stunning dress! Happy 4th of July!
Thank you, Louella! I really like the clothes you are making and just started following your blog
So cute! I love this! Happy 4th!
Thank you so much, Ginger!
You really know how to pair a pattern with fabric.
I try
!
This is one of my favorites. How adorable. The style is a WOW!!!!!!!!!!! and perfect on you. Back at ya for a HAPPY 4th. A. Maggie
Thanks so much Maggie! I was pleased with this one. Hope you had a great 4th too!
Lovely dress and I’m impressed with how well the pattern looks made up…. enjoy your day knowing you look the part
Thank you Faye! Tia Dia’s review on PR (Mezzo Couture) inspired me to make this dress
Your beautiful dress reminds me of a classic Diane von Furstenberg! What a great look, perfect for the Fourth and all summer long!
PS – Like you, I ALWAYS read and follow the printed instructions!
What a compliment, Karen! By the way, I loved your post on Betsy Ross – thank you so much for reminding us about this remarkable woman. I visited her home several years ago.
Super dress – great fabric to pattern matching on this one!
Many thanks, Doobee!
I adore your 4th of July dress!!
Thank you! I adore the pocket template I just read about on your blog and am placing an order today
You always pick the coolest fabrics. Love the effect of this one and the dress looks fabulous on!
Thank you! You have a great blog which I am now following
Thanks for reminding me how great this pattern is to sew. So pretty!
Thank you for reminding me of this wonderful pattern. So pretty!
Thank you, Leah! The pattern has been around a while and is listed as a clearance item for the out of print patterns on the Vogue website.
Pretty!
What an awesome dress! And to think you did this without any instructions!! You should never question your talents…you are now a true professional! Love you work…your a natural!!
Many thanks for this lovely comment, Myra! I had pages 1 & 2 of the instructions, just not 3 & 4……. believe me, I struggled trying to put it all together and don’t want to do it again
You look as beautiful as ever in this dress!
Happy Fourth of July!
Beth
Thank you, Beth! Hope you had a grand 4th on the West coast!
This is a great pattern – I love your red & white version! I’ve plans to make up more versions of it for my wardrobe. I love the bodice and the gathered waistband and the skirt options that it offers. Great job for sewing blindly in the dark! It looks wonderful!
Many thanks, Tia Dia! I was inspired to make this pattern after seeing your lovely dress on PR. I was definitely groping in the dark – but no longer should I decide to make it again – thanks to you!
This is really very becoming, lovely waistband and bodice. Thanks for link to fabric as well, new one for me!
Thank you, Coco! It was a nice weight of cotton jersey, but I wouldn’t have sewn this pattern were the bodice and midriff not lined and the skirt gathered.
Happy holiday. Your dress is just sensational and makes me yearn for summer.
Hi Gail and thanks for writing! Our summer has been a scorcher so far – I’d welcome a few cool days at the moment
Wow – you put the firecrackers to shame! Great style on you.
What a great line!! Many thanks for writing
This is an incredibly flattering dress and the print is gorgeous too.
Thank you, Allison! I started to make the dress you just finished but chickened out after reading your post
It’s beautiful on you – and yet before seeing your dress I wouldn’t have given this pattern a second look!
Thank you, Gabrielle! The pattern had been in the stash for a few years
. I was inspired to make the dress after seeing Tia Dia’s version on Mezzo Couture.
I think if Vogue saw that dress they would bring that pattern back….how gorgeous!!!!
What a nice comment! Many thanks for writing, Lynn
The dress is a knockout, and you look fabulous!
And I’m with you regarding pattern instructions..even with more simple styles, I at least read through them
Thank you, Pamela! I’m glad to know people with your skill level still need the pattern instructions. One of these days I’m going to make a shirt and hope it’s OK to turn to you for guidance if necessary
I need red zebra print now! I love that fabric and I don’t think I would ever have picked it out for myself, but seeing how great your dress look, I must have some!
Hi Kari!
After taking a look at your recent cute dress and skirt, I’m sure you could do wonders with the zebra print! I just subscribed to your blog (I think) and look forward to seeing your projects
AWESOME! I can’t imagine that you won’t continue sewing when the year is up. You are extremely good at it! You have good taste in putting patterns and fabric together.
Thank you so much! All those years of buying and trying on clothes have educated me about matching patterns and fabric, though I don’t always get it right
This is one of my favorites so far! Great job and happy 4th!
Many thanks, Beth! Hope you had a great one too!
This dress looks amazing. The print fits perfectly with the style and looks fabulous on you.
Thanks, Tigergirl !! I was pleased to see it all come together
It wouldn’t matter if you were wearing a paper bag! You always look stunning beautiful and this dress looks fantastic! Loving your posts…..word out is that Susan Khalje will have a DVD out in September on her french jacket construction method which will be available on her site. I’ll keep you posted…
Lexley
AU
Hi Lexley and thank you so much for this nice comment! I would not attempt to make a French jacket UNLESS I could learn from Susan Khalje – very exciting and thanks for passing this information along to me
I know I’m late to the party but your clothes are always so bright and happy – perfect fabric and the dress really suits you.
I’ll extend the party just for you, Ruth! Many thanks for the nice comment
I always looks for anything you post. Love the dress. You really inspire me. Thanks!!!
Great fabric…SMASHING!
Thanks, Kathie! Mood Fabrics is loaded with a great selection of fabrics!
So so cute! The style is fabulous on you and the fabric is to die for! What fun! I’m sure it was a big hit for the 4th