Whew! (click Like if you feel the same way)
On the First Day of Christmas my true love gave to me…….
On the Third Day of Christmas I found myself alone, 
Which meant by the Fourth Day of Christmas I had made a new dress.
And on the Fifth Day of Christmas…….. I made it to the beach.
O h H a p p y D a y !
Would you believe my husband said of all the dresses I’ve made, this is his favorite?
This dress was s o e a s y to make that it belongs in a different category from the dress projects requiring blood, sweat and tears. I know why hubby likes the dress so much, but if I was more experienced in sewing knits he would like it even better because it would fit far more snugly.
The dress pattern, Vogue 8742 is described as close-fitting.
Being a novice with knits, I was fearful it would be too tight, and cut the pattern a size larger. What a mistake! Although the viscose/spandex fabric was easy to work, the dress fits looser than intended – even after sewing extra large seams.
Read my pattern review HERE.
With two and a half more days left in the holiday season, I can cheerfully enjoy a couple of indulgences in my colorful dress with the loose and forgiving fit.
This also means in 3 and a half days I’ll be back home wearing the winter hues of black and gray trying to camouflage the extra couple of pounds as I live into my New Year’s resolutions.
More on that later.
This is SO CUTE! I love it! Oh, boys… their favorites are always for the same reason…
Thanks, Ginger! You hit the nail on the head
Knits are so fun to work with! This dress is great- I love the print.
Thank you, Laura! I’m working on raising my comfort level with knits, but I was pleased with this fabric.
Looks fantastic – yiu are such an inspiration to me. 2013 is going to be my sewing year.
Thanks, AmyG! You made my day
This is wonderful on you! I love the print you used!
Thank you, Carolyn. Happy New Year!
Its a beautiful dress, but really what extra pounds?
Many thanks, Gail! The pounds are there believe me
It’s freeking GORgeous!!!! OMG, I’m in love with the print!!! I love how you’ve paired it with the dark brown tights and boots, soo chic.
Hi Steph and thank you for the nice comment! I thought the accessories brought it to life, but think the dress will look equally good with spring accessories too.
I love your dress and the print you chose. Where did you find such a bright knit?
What extra lbs?
Hi Spanky – the fabric was from my stash and I believe it came from EmmaOneSock. The pounds are hidden behind the big florals, but they’re there. Many thanks for writing!
Beautiful, Sarah! Happy New Year!
Question for you – I think I’ve seen a dress form in some of your blog posts (?) I’m thinking of getting one & wondered if you have any recommendations. I’ve seen some tutorials on making your own using plaster & papier mache, & while I like the idea of having an exact replica of my form, the process looks a little daunting.
Thank you, Joyce! My dress form is old and doesn’t resemble my body 30 years ago. I need a new one too. The sky is the limit with dress forms as you can have a custom form made to duplicate your shape. I’ve been told the dress forms at JoAnn’s coupled with a padding system work well. Let me know what you decide on!
VERY flattering – nice job! And congrats on the camera – I have the Canon PowerShot G2 – undoubtedly an antique by digital standards, but it’s still going strong after all these years and I love it – great choice!
Many thanks, Jilly!
This is gawgous! You have done it again. I love this, and it looks terrific on you. Did you get that print at Mood?
Thank you, Becky! The print was from my stash, but I’m sure Mood has comparable fabrics!
Fantastic dress and love the way you have styled it.
Many thanks, Sharon!
Beautiful work! I like this dress a lot! I made one a few weeks ago in a cream colored Ponte knit, but didn’t like it once complete. So I didn’t post it. I like yours so much, I may try again with another color.
Hi Myra! My fabric has unbelievable stretch in it. I didn’t realize just how much until it was cut and sewn. I think you should try again!
Love the dress. It looks fab on you — and the fabric is perfect, as always. I got a camera for Christmas too — but it hasnt’ arrived yet. Hope I can figure it out!
Is that you, Cissie? Do I detect the beginnings of a blog?
Thanks for the nice comment and I hope you love your camera as much as I love mine! What a difference!
Tis I, Sarah! I started playing around with the idea before Christmas but have made little (meaning “no”) progress. I am so computer illiterate that this may be beyond me!
You and your dress are fabulous! Very nice merge of fabric and style.
Thank you, Louella!
gorgeous dress, I really like the fabric and your styling
Many thanks, Lori! What an easy pattern
Congratulations on getting a new camera. Your dress is wonderful and styled just right!
Thank you, Maria
Happy New Year!
You are so good at making me think I need another pattern! I love the gathering in the seams. I recently threw out a RTW dress which was a little similar as it was pilling…
And my true love got me the same camera earlier this year.
Happy new year!
Hi Lizzy! Of course you need another pattern
Aren’t they on sale right now?
I’m loving the Canon G12 and am so relieved to have a camera that takes clear pics.
Many thanks for writing!
It’s a beautiful dress and I love the print! Happy New Year!
Thank you so much, Shams!
Stunning! You are my inspiration for 2013.
Thank you, Jeannie! Your blog is darling and I am your newest follower
PS…… you can’t imagine how jealous I am of your year in Paris
lovely dress happy new year
Many thanks, Pauline! Happy New Year
A beautiful dress on a beautiful woman with a beatiful back ground!
Ahhhh…….. what a sweet comment. Many thanks, Ann-Britt!
Totally gorgeous dress and I see no extra pounds! Happy New Year
Thank you, Jacq! The pounds are there, sneaking up one by one – ugh!
Gorgeous dress! The fabric is beautiful, great colors. I’ll have to try this pattern!
Many thanks and I highly recommend the pattern!
Jstarr4250 said…
I love every version of this dress I’ve seen and yours is wonderful. The fabric is gorgeous! Happy New Year to you…enjoy those Carolina blue skies at the beach! Cold though…we had our first frost of the winter overnight.
Many thanks, Julie! Fortunately the weather has warmed and is beautiful – Happy New Year to you too. Look forward to seeing your 2013 sewing projects
Many thanks, Julie! Fortunately the weather has warmed and is beautiful – Happy New Year to you too. Look forward to seeing your 2013 sewing projects
I love this dress on you and how you have styled it – fantastic!
I always associate of going to the beach in summer – so it’s a little to strange to see you wearing a long sleeved dress and boots at the beach!!! Mind you it’s summer here and today was rather hot, so that probably is messing with my mind etc!!!!
Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing more of your creations in 2013.
Thank you so much, Jennifer! The dress in a bold print has a completely different look than the one featured on the pattern cover, but it’s a fun dress that will go with boots OR FLIPFLOPS at the beach
I prefer the beach in summer too, though there is a unique beauty to winter days here.
FABULOUS…..Keep up the good work regarding knits…they are my favorite fab to sew! You always inspire me! Happy New Year-Laura in Asheville
Thank you, Laura! What I find tricky about knits is understanding the stretch of unique fabrics. I’m hanging in there with them – hopefully by 2014 I’ll know what I’m doing
Drats, my first comment seems to have disappeared!
Fantastic dress and I love how you have styled it – although I do find the idea of a wintery looking dress , boots and scarf a little disconcerting at the beach – probably because it’s summer here at the moment and today has been rather hot and I’m associating beaches with hot weather etc!!!
I’ve just ordered the pattern from BMV – I’m so easily led!
Happy New year from 2013 – it’s now 12.02am here!
Many thanks Jenleanne! You are going to LOVE this pattern. Can’t wait to see what you make
Absolutely LOVE this pattern! The photos on the beach are wonderful!
Thank you, Sally! It’s a great pattern and the water is especially blue this time of year
That’s a beautiful dress, Sarah, and it looks great on you, too. How do you like those ruched side seams? I’m always afraid details like that won’t translate well in the final fit, but it looks like they work very well??
I can’t quite believe you can be on the beach without at least a jacket! But – it makes the perfect setting for showing off your newest creation.
Thank you, Karen! I was hesitant about the ruching but I absolutely love the result! Next go around will definitely be in a smaller size as I believe the ruching is intended to enhance a tighter fit. Fortunately the weather warmed another 10 degrees and has been beautiful for New Year’s
Love the dress. You truly are an inspiration.
Many thanks for this nice comment, Janet
Your description of your husband made me crack up. You did a beautiful job with the dress, what a way to head into the new year! Congratulations. I look forward to seeing more of your creations in 2013!
My husband cracks me up all of the time
Many thanks for writing and I hope 2013 turns out to be a good year for you, June!
What a pretty dress! I love the gathers on the princess seams.
Thank you, Claire! I was very pleased with the pattern construction
Love it! That print is so pretty- what color can’t you wear, miss?
Thank you, Ann! I look like I’m coming down with something when I wear olive
This is a very flattering style, and looks perfect for a few seasons – you’ve layered it well, but I can imagine it looking nice with less layers too! Happy New Year, and thank you for filling 2012 with interesting and beautiful sewing reviews
Thank you, Kat! I agree. I think the dress will look good with flip-flops and bare legs as well as boots and tights
Very nice! I keep meaning to make this pattern. It’s nice to hear how easy it is.
Many thanks, Amanda! It will look fab on you
Well, it’s just fabulous. What a winning dress!
Hi you have a great sense of colour and are not afraid of print it is good to see someone not scared of trying new things ths worse is bothering to see but just making something in black for the asks of it cheers Sally
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