25 Jun Vogue 2864 Revisited
Top Ten Reasons To Sew Another Summer Dress
10. The last one was too big.
9. I’m eager to make another muslin.
8. Too hot to wear anything else.
7 I’m on a quest to perfect the hand-picked zipper technique.
6. No buttons or buttonholes to sew.
5 Fabric requirement almost the same as a top.
4. Slim silhouette makes me look taller.
3. Cleaned out closet and the emptiness is disturbing.
2. Need something new to wear for my 30th wedding anniversary today. (You read that correctly.)
And the number one reason to sew another dress ………………
I couldn’t pass up this beautiful Oscar de la Renta cotton from Mood Fabrics!
Boy, did I fall hard for this designer cotton twill in my favorite color! It is one of the first fabrics I pinned on my Mood Board since Mood launched is great new website.
After making my last dress too big, I was determined to get the Vogue 2864 pattern right on my second try, and I believe I did.
No carelessness this time!
Before I cut the first snip, I drove to JoAnn Fabrics and bought the only alteration book in the store, The Complete Photo Guide to PERFECT FITTING by Sarah Veblen. I own others but desired a fresh approach and I got one through applying the principles of WEDGES.
An open wedge cut in the front bodice pattern provided additional length allowing it to hang straight.
Two closed wedges in the neckline eliminated the gaping,
and cutting the final closed wedge at the waistline reduced the bulk in the back. I also cut the pattern one size smaller.
I’ve been enlightened by these easy alteration techniques!
The front of the dress is embellished with medallions I received in Aunt Maggie’s surprise box. Clorox worked wonders on the yellowish beige appliqués in less than 30 minutes which I attached by both hand and machine.
In the beginning I thought I needed to justify making yet another summer dress since I have plenty. But ultimately it wasn’t about the dress as much as it was about achievement and conquering my shortcomings. The outcome is one of my favorite dresses ever.
🙂
“Is that a Lilly Pulitzer you’re wearing? “
“No, it’s Oscar de la Renta.”
Irene
Posted at 10:12h, 25 JuneLovely, lovely dress! It certainly does pay to work through fit issues (I keep telling myself this), because the result is always well worth it. Those medallions are the perfect compliment.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:25h, 26 JuneThank you, Irene! I’m glad I made the dress again – CORRECTLY!
Mrs K
Posted at 10:16h, 25 JuneI love your dress and it fits you so well. I made a similar dress years ago with a lace strip down the center front. I also have Sarah’s book – love it.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:26h, 26 JuneThank you, Mrs. K! I look forward to learning more from Sarah’s book 🙂
Kathie Bennett
Posted at 10:25h, 25 JuneBeautiful dress for a 30 year anniversary celebration!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:27h, 26 JuneThank you, Kathie!
Tia Dia
Posted at 10:27h, 25 JuneLove this! And your countdown of reasons at the beginning of this post was so good that I’m going to memorize it! And happy happy anniversary today! Here’s to many more good ones!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:27h, 26 JuneThank you, Tia Dia! I owe it all to you and will treasure this pattern now that I’ve worked out the issues. 🙂 🙂
caroline lazzara
Posted at 10:47h, 25 JuneHappy Anniversary! Beautiful dress……………
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:28h, 26 JuneMany thanks, Caroline!! 🙂
Jstarr4250
Posted at 10:59h, 25 JuneHappy anniversary, Sarah! Surely 3-0 must have been a typo!! Another beautiful summer dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:38h, 26 JuneLOL! It’s for real – neither of us can quite believe we’ve been married so long 🙂
Marjorie Devlin
Posted at 11:29h, 25 JuneLove your dress! Congratulations on 20 years, we just celebrated our 30 yesterday!
Marjorie Devlin
Posted at 11:30h, 25 JuneSorry meant to say your 30 years… obviously you look way too young to be celebrating 30 years! 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:40h, 26 JuneThank you, Marjorie – for the dress compliment and diplomacy!! 🙂
gingermakes
Posted at 11:29h, 25 JuneThis is seriously pretty! I really hope you make multiples of this perfected pattern– it’s fabulous on you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:40h, 26 JuneThanks, Sonja! I do love this pattern and may try to get creative with it now that it fits 🙂
Judi
Posted at 11:40h, 25 JuneBeautiful dress! The appliques look like they were designed just for that fabric.,,perfect!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:44h, 26 JuneThank you, Judi! My 90 year old mother in law told me she has a sweater with the exact appliqués! They certainly are timeless, huh? 🙂
carolinascallin
Posted at 11:46h, 25 June“Is that a Lilly Pulitzer you’re wearing? “…“No, it’s Oscar de la Renta.” LOVE IT…LOL!
Big fan of that fabric! This would make a beautiful sheath dress…! I love the color. This one definitely solves most of your fit issues – well done!
carolinascallin
Posted at 11:49h, 25 JuneBTW…did you line this dress? Looking at the Mood site, the fabric appears to be a bit heavier than the classic Lilly cotton sheaths – would you say that’s accurate? Wondering how you finished this pretty dress on the inside if you didn’t line it. That’s something I’m struggling with – and not everything lends itself to being lined 😉 Thanks!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:47h, 26 JuneThank you, Cheryl!
I lined the dress with china silk from Mood. I should have included this in the post. The pattern calls for the bodice only to be lined but you’re right – The fabric is a little heavier than the NEW Lillly sheaths for sure, and slightly heavier than the classic LP dresses. I felt it needed a full lining and believe I made the right decision. 🙂
Shams
Posted at 11:58h, 25 JuneA very pretty dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:47h, 26 JuneThanks, Shams!
Kay
Posted at 12:09h, 25 JuneIt is beautiful, and looks lovely on you!
Congratulations on 30 yrs of marriage. I will be married 30 years in December!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:50h, 26 JuneThank you so much, Kay! Time flies indeed – Happy Anniversary to you too! 🙂
Pauline (pdiddly)
Posted at 12:59h, 25 Junelove the colour and the fit is better – pretty dress Happy 30th Anniversary – enjoy your day
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:51h, 26 JuneMany thanks, Pauline! We had a lovely day and a nice getaway to the coast 🙂
Laury Shepherd
Posted at 13:00h, 25 JuneVery cute post! I really like the dress on you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:51h, 26 JuneThank you, Laury!
Alex in California
Posted at 13:51h, 25 June“Is that a Lilly Pulitzer you’re wearing?” Lilly Pulitzer wishes (no disrepect to the departed).
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:53h, 26 JuneI don’t know about that as she did quite well for herself! But it is nice to make something comparable for a fraction of the price! Many thanks for writing, Alex 🙂
June
Posted at 14:12h, 25 JuneOscar for the win! Congrats on the lovely dress and also on the wedding anniversary! You must have been a child bride. 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:54h, 26 JuneLOL! We can hardly believe we’ve been married so long 🙂 Many thanks for writing, June!
Sewer
Posted at 14:15h, 25 JuneLooks great (fit and fabrication). Thanks for the tips.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:55h, 26 JuneThanks so much for the nice comment 🙂
artattack024
Posted at 14:30h, 25 JuneHappy anny and cute, cute dress. How about “because I want to” for a reason. It’s always good enough for me!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:56h, 26 JuneLOL! I’ll give it a try next time AND I’m so glad you’re going to make a ribbon skirt 🙂
Margy Houtz
Posted at 14:30h, 25 JuneGorgeous dress! Of course you needed another!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:57h, 26 JuneThanks, Margy…….. and of course I did.
Alethia
Posted at 14:44h, 25 JuneYo go girl!! You’ve done it again!!! Beautifully done on creating the perfect fit; and, love what you did with the medallions. BTW, CONGRATULATIONS and Happy Anniversary!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:57h, 26 JuneThanks so much for the sweet comment, Alethia!
dara
Posted at 17:14h, 25 Junebeautiful dress! keep sewing even if you can’t think of a reason!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:58h, 26 JuneI like the way you think, Dara!
Vicki
Posted at 17:19h, 25 JunePretty! Happy anniversary.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:58h, 26 JuneThank you, Vicki!
Myra
Posted at 17:54h, 25 JuneOMG! I love this dress! I am a true believer that we can NEVER have enough clothes! Cleaning out the closet and replacing items is therapeutic exercise for my brain!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:59h, 26 JuneLOL! Now that’s a rationalization I’ve yet to hear 🙂 I’ll definitely remember that one, Myra!
Sandra
Posted at 18:13h, 25 JuneGorgeous dress and Happy Anniversary! I keep sewing because I find it
therapeutic no matter how many clothes I have.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:00h, 26 JuneThank you, Sandra 🙂 Sewing is indeed therapeutic!
Marguerite
Posted at 18:36h, 25 JuneBeautiful! Happy Anniversary too. Interesting wedge technique you describe. I was taught to sew by my aunt who used a similar technique to enlarge or reduce pattern sizes. It was simple but it worked. Sometimes the newer tips and ideas on how to alter get a little too technical and become a chore. Love all your posts and projects.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:01h, 26 JuneMany thanks, Marguerite! I agree – the simpler the better – especially when sewing 😉 !
lisa g
Posted at 18:44h, 25 Junei’m pretty sure you don’t need a reason to make a new dress! fabulous job, i really love the fabric. it always feels good to work out fit issues; i recently picked up that book and have found it very useful!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:02h, 26 JuneThank you, Lisa! I look forward to using the book again. 🙂
Kyle
Posted at 19:42h, 25 Junelol, love your sense of humor!
congrats on 30 years!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:03h, 26 JuneThank you, Kyle! 🙂 🙂
Creatively Motivated
Posted at 20:37h, 25 JuneNew visitor here…That dress looks so great! And Happy Anniversary! -Nizzy
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:03h, 26 JuneThanks for visiting and leaving a nice comment, Nizzy!
CherryPix
Posted at 21:23h, 25 JuneOh yes…the fabric, medallions and closer fit all work to make a great dress on you! I have the Sarah Veblen e-book version on my iPad ….thinking I might lash out and get the hardcopy…as much as I like the transportability on the iPad…It’s still easier to look at a book in the midst of fitting. I took one of Sarah V’s FBA classes via PR…and still look over the notes, every time I need to do an FBA. Congratulations on your “pearl” (30th) Anniversary!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:05h, 26 JuneThanks so much, Cherry Pix! Now why didn’t I think to download this book??? So glad you talked Sharon into making a ribbon skirt 😉
CherryPix
Posted at 03:00h, 27 JuneSharon’s being doing some excellent sleuthing for nice ribbon in Australia!!!….awaiting a sample card.
I like the ease of grabbing a book from the shelf in the midst of a fitting conundrum…takes me too long to hunt for what I want on the e-book version due to limited indexing capabilities. On the other hand, the e-book version is good for ‘blowing up’ pictures, to get a look at details. I’m more likely to browse through the e-book version when I’m on a plane or waiting somewhere….people think I’m nuts, but I really do find sewing books/Threads archives fascinating to read….and I do actually absorb things…more than I realise at the time!! Wish that happened as easily with other topics!! (ahem)
Jackie
Posted at 21:31h, 25 JuneWonderful post! Dress makes you look 30. I really enjoy following your blog!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:06h, 26 JuneMany thanks for the nice comment, Jackie!
Beth (SunnyGal Studio)
Posted at 22:09h, 25 Junethat is my favorite color !!! love it, looks perfect for summer.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:06h, 26 JuneThanks, Beth! I adore this color and bet it looks great on you!
Sharon
Posted at 00:13h, 26 JuneGorgeous dress to wear for your 30th Anniversary, congratulations. I have been doing those wedges to my patterns for years, they are my standard adjustments and even though I have Sarah’s e-book on my Ipad I haven’t got too far in reading it.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:08h, 26 JuneThank you, Sharon! The wedges are so simple and so effective. Maybe that’s all I need to know from the book 😉
crystalpleats
Posted at 00:40h, 26 JuneGreat dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:08h, 26 JuneThank you, Crystalpleats!
Sigrid
Posted at 03:03h, 26 JuneBeautiful dress. Congratulations on your anniversary.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:09h, 26 JuneMany thanks, Sigrid!
Karen
Posted at 07:21h, 26 JuneOh, it’s great!! Those medallions on the front work beautifully and do, indeed, give it a Lily look, just even better!
Happy Anniversary to you and your husband!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:09h, 26 JuneThank you, Karen. It was a fun dress to work on….. and a great wedding anniversary 🙂
sewellen
Posted at 14:51h, 26 Juneyou nailed it! Another winner, great fit. Congrats on your anniversary!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:33h, 26 JuneThank you, Sewellen! I just left a comment for you only I realize it was for an older post. At any rate I bought the Vogue pattern you just pulled out from the back of your closet. Hope I can make it!
Sarah
Posted at 04:11h, 27 JuneWould you recommend the Veblen book? I can understand how to add or take away fabric but matching up to other parts of the garment having done so always remains a mystery to me.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:53h, 28 JuneHi Sarah,
I have not read all the way through the book or used it for any alterations other than this. However I found her very understandable. Other readers who have this book really like it!
Stitch It Again
Posted at 21:24h, 27 JuneNo shortage of good reasons – a very flattering summer look on you! Thank you for the information on the book; I’m intrigued to learn more about the wedge method of pattern alteration.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:55h, 28 JuneMany thanks! I too, look forward to learning more from Sarah Veblen’s book. 🙂
Sarah Ioannides
Posted at 12:49h, 28 JuneGorgeous…can’t believe you are celebrating 30th Anniversary!!!! Wonderful – congratulations! You look great in this dress too. You are incredible, Sarah!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:55h, 28 JuneMany thanks for your nice comment, Sarah 🙂 You’re pretty incredible yourself!!
Carolyn
Posted at 07:18h, 29 JuneCongratulations! and please accept these very happy anniversary wishes from me 🙂 Your dress looks wonderful.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:13h, 05 JulyThank you, Supreme Commander Servalan!
Thimble & Cork
Posted at 22:17h, 01 JulyYou look stunning! That color is beautiful on you, and I love the appliques! Happy anniversary 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:18h, 05 JulyMany thanks….. and I’m loving your blog 🙂
Lynn
Posted at 12:01h, 02 JulyI’ve been enjoying your blog for several month since a sewing friend tipped me off. You mentioned your library of fit books and wondered if you have Fit for Real People by Pati Palmer & Marta Alto.
They also do fabulous workshops (sewing vacations) in Portland, OR. Classes are held in a giant fabric store! Could it get any better! Happy sewing.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:20h, 05 JulyHi Lynn! I don’t have this book but I’ve tried some of their McCall’s patterns. A sewing vacation in OR sounds heavenly…. I’ll check out their schedule. Thanks so much for the comment! 🙂