08 Feb Missoni My Way
I cannot begin to explain how much I have always wanted to own a Missoni dress. Those chevron stripes in wacky colors simply speak to me.
Unfortunately, Missoni is w a y out of my price range. I was willing to settle for the one-time Missoni for Target line, but guess what? The event was held during my ready-to-wear fast….. sad, indeed.
Just suppose I could buy the +$1,000 dresses as I pleased…… Something tells me the size 4 on the 6 foot model would look like a different dress on 5’2″ me…… to be young, tall, thin and rich 🙂
Since my return to sewing clothes 17 months ago, I realize I can have my cake and eat it too, and I just completed my first Missoni dress.
What’s even more exciting to me is the dress suits my lifestyle and my shape.
Using this simple McCall’s pattern, I took several precautions to avoid the potential disasters associated with sewing loosely knit striped fabric. Having made the pattern before (blogged here), I was familiar with the fit and cut a size smaller.
I selected my fabric from d o z e n s of Missoni knits at Mood Fabrics (write to info2@moodfabrics.com for more information on Missoni fabrics). The crochet knit was sheer so the bodice of the dress was underlined with this cream silk knit from Mood Fabrics.
I cut fashion fabric and underlining together which I immediately basted together on the cutting table.
Rather than cutting the pieces on the fold I opened the fabric to a single layer, cutting one side of the pattern, flipping the pattern piece over and cutting the other side. By doing this I was able to make sure the stripes were perfectly straight – my biggest fear.
It took twice as long to cut out the pattern as it did to sew it, but once I finished cutting and basting the fabrics, the dress came together very quickly.
You can imagine my relief to see the matching stripes.
I consider this dress a milestone in my sewing as I’ve always wanted to sew Missoni knits but never felt ready until recently.
Well, now I’m ready to make another one –
m y s t y l e , m y p r i c e a n d m y w a y !
Until soon!
Sarah
Posted at 10:57h, 08 FebruaryGorgeous! What an amazing dress! I love it!x
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:45h, 08 FebruaryThank you, Sarah! It was one of those projects slightly hard to envision the end result, but it all worked out 🙂
Rachel Busby
Posted at 10:58h, 08 FebruaryThis looks great. I would love to see how much you spend on the the fabric and supplies for each dress.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:53h, 08 FebruaryMany thanks, Rachel! You are so right…… I talk about saving money and looking good by sewing, but just how much does it cost and how much do I save? I’m going to think about how to present this information consistently. For this dress I used two yards of fabric @ $40/yard plus the lining – one and a half yards @ 18/yard. I owned the pattern which I bought at a discount and bought elastic at .25/yard. This dress costs slightly over $100 to make – a wee fraction of a RTW Missoni. 🙂
Mimi
Posted at 10:58h, 08 FebruaryI LOVE THIS DRESS!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:54h, 08 FebruaryThank you, Mimi!! 🙂 🙂
Jane W.
Posted at 11:01h, 08 FebruaryI *love* Missoni, and that dress is stunning. I bow before your stripe matching!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:55h, 08 FebruaryMany thanks, Jane. I wasn’t taking the slightest chance on mismatched stripes 🙂
Elizabeth
Posted at 11:13h, 08 FebruaryI love the print you chose. Sometimes Missoni’s color combos are a little off to me, but I just love this one. You and the dress looks stunning.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:59h, 08 FebruaryThank you so much, Elizabeth! I know what you mean about the color combos and thought this colorway was fairly safe 🙂 Glad you made it home before the blizzard hit.
Beth (SunnyGal Studio)
Posted at 11:16h, 08 FebruaryI have been seeing these chevron stripes everywhere that I fabric shop and have them on the brain, then I saw your cute version this morning. Now I must have one. I agree with the comment above, the color palette you chose is perfect, Love it.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:07h, 08 FebruaryHi Beth! SewEllen posted a chevron stripe dress moments before me today so this design must be on the brain of many sewers. Can’t wait to see what you do with your stripes!
365 Creative Dresses
Posted at 11:20h, 08 FebruaryJust perfect for you! Best Missoni I’ve seen.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:09h, 08 FebruaryMany thanks 🙂 There are some gorgeous ones on the market now, but making this dress certainly helped me get the RTW desire out of my system!
Ruth
Posted at 11:20h, 08 FebruaryBeautiful. The colours suit you perfectly. Gorgeous.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:09h, 08 FebruaryThank you, thank you, thank you ! 🙂
Rachel
Posted at 11:23h, 08 FebruaryThat is lovely. I have sewn one Missoni knit and I was a basket case until I got it finished. I was so worried I would destroy it. Those colors look really nice on you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:12h, 08 FebruaryThank you, Rachel! I too, was a basket case while working on the fabric 🙂 BTW – I love your peplum top!
Jeyco
Posted at 11:27h, 08 FebruaryWow! Your Missoni dress looks gorgeous!! And yes, the stripes are perfectly matching. Can’t wait to see next one!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:13h, 08 FebruaryMany thanks, Jeyco! Hopefully, there will be a next one 🙂
angela
Posted at 11:32h, 08 FebruaryI love the dress! I have also been afraid to do horizontal stripes because I am also 5’2″ tall, but now that I know you are the same height and have made two very flattering items in a horizontal stripe of sorts that look amazing….I may just give it a try. Thanks for giving me the courage to try something like this on my 5’2″ frame.
PS…your killing me with the shift patterns. I love this style of dress and have bought every shift pattern I have seen on your blog. Missed this one, but now I have to go out and get it…its way too cute 🙂 I love the last dress you made with this pattern too.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:17h, 08 FebruaryThank you for this nice comment, Angela! I’ve read that the issue with horizontal stripes depends on the size and placement of the stripes. This time I just took my chances 🙂
I am always looking for the perfect shift pattern – please let me know when you find one!
Claire
Posted at 11:36h, 08 FebruaryReally pretty!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:18h, 08 FebruaryThank you, Claire!
Carolyn
Posted at 11:36h, 08 FebruaryGreat looking dress! I just purchased a beautiful Missoni Sweater knit from The Sewing Workshop on sale and will complete a cardigan this weekend. I think I will enjoy my $450 cardigan for less than $50.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:21h, 08 FebruaryMany thanks, Carolyn! Isn’t is a great feeling to save huge $$$$$$ just by sewing! I’d love to see your sweater.
artattack024
Posted at 11:42h, 08 FebruaryThis is one of the prettiest Missoni colorways I have ever seen. Beautiful job and great look!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:23h, 08 FebruaryThank you, Dorcas. I was immediately attracted to the colors, but I had a hard time envisioning the end result on this one. Whew 🙂
Carolyn
Posted at 11:44h, 08 FebruaryStunning! You did a fabulous job on this…love that you chose a simple silhouette to highlight the awesome fabric!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:24h, 08 FebruaryMany thanks, Carolyn! I thought a simple silhouette was the ONLY way to go on this one 🙂
Naomi
Posted at 11:55h, 08 FebruaryIt’s beautiful and you’re amazing! Technique + experience is always a good combination. Enjoy your new dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:26h, 08 FebruaryWhat a nice comment, Naomi! I’m gaining experience by working on my technique 🙂 It’s a continuing process for sure!
Donna
Posted at 11:57h, 08 FebruaryBeautiful! I think you could make a dress out of a feed sack and still look like a “hot momma”!!!! You do such a nice job selecting your fabrics and sewing your garments. 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:27h, 08 FebruaryLOL! It gets harder and harder to look like a hot momma these days, unless I’m having a hot flash 🙂
Many thanks for the nice comment!
Lauren
Posted at 11:58h, 08 FebruaryI love this pattern. We used to wear ooodles of the Missoni fabric prints made into tops in the 70’s. Nice reminder. I did look back on this pattern you made in a black and white print. Loved that one. Such a great border fabric. I find with McCalls patterns the neck openings are about an inch or so to short all around the opening and I don’t know how to alter that. I don’t like it when it gapes open when you are leaning over, or sometimes the bra straps will show. Did you alter the neckline and if so – how?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:34h, 08 FebruaryThank you, Lauren. I had the gaping neckline issue in the b/w version. I was fairly new back to sewing clothes when I made it and it caught me by surprise. Cutting a size smaller this time around thankfully took care of the problem for me.
Victoria
Posted at 12:04h, 08 FebruaryYou look absolutely spectacular!!!!!!!!! What a gorgeous draft. I love beautiful prints with uncomplicated patterns!!!! This truly is a winner Lady!!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:35h, 08 FebruaryMany thanks, Victoria!! I’m honored to receive such a nice compliment from someone with your talent 🙂
carolinascallin
Posted at 12:18h, 08 FebruaryWhat fun – and gorgeous colors on you! Enjoy!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:36h, 08 FebruaryMany thanks, Cheryl! Mimi has just given me her stamp of approval 🙂
Pauline Droy
Posted at 12:19h, 08 Februarywhat a lovely dress – enjoy it
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:36h, 08 FebruaryThank you so much Pauline 🙂
Becky
Posted at 12:41h, 08 FebruaryFabulous pairing of fabric and pattern, and the fit is perfect! I only hope I get to this stage of sewing eventually! You are an inspiration, truly.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:12h, 09 FebruaryOh you’ll get to this stage. Being careful was the key to success here! Many thanks for your very nice comment, Becky 🙂
Karin
Posted at 12:47h, 08 FebruaryThe simple dress shape was a smart choice. It really shows off the fabric. Which, by the way, looks super on you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:18h, 09 FebruaryThank you, Karin! I just started following your blog today. I thought I already was following you but somehow missed. Hope you resolved the Cassie Pants issue 🙂
Kacie
Posted at 12:52h, 08 FebruaryI love this dress! It’s so beautiful on you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:31h, 09 FebruaryThank you, Kacie! ….. and I love your blue skater dress 🙂
Cuckoo Chanel
Posted at 13:01h, 08 FebruaryAnother stunner. Gorgeous stripe matching. Thanks for the 5705 tip. Always looking for good knit patterns. You look beautiful.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:32h, 09 FebruaryMany thanks, Cuckoo Chanel! This is a nice and easy pattern for sure!
Susan Klein
Posted at 13:21h, 08 FebruaryCongratulations on having it your way! I, too, love Missoni. I wish I had the bicycle, and my skills fall short of making a Bicycle. You look wonderful and you are an inspiration to all your readers who fall into the petite and attempting to grow old gracefully!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:36h, 09 FebruaryYou know, I could have bought that bicycle on my RTW fast 🙂 though I really loved the Liberty bicycle too!
Thank you, Susan for your very nice comment. ATTEMPTING is the operative word here!
Ann-Britt Uhrbom
Posted at 13:28h, 08 FebruaryWhat a beautiful dress, I love it. Last year, Missoni designed a collection for the Swedish company Lindex which has stores in almost every city in Scandinavia. I bought nothing even though I love Missoni, but there was nothing in that collection that appealed to me. But Missoni your way I really like!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:43h, 09 FebruaryThank you, Ann-Britt for your nice comment! This sounds similar to the Missoni/Target collaboration. There was such a demand for the Missoni on opening day that its website crashed !
It’s wonderful to have garments “our way” by sewing, isn’t it 🙂
Velosewer
Posted at 14:20h, 08 FebruaryThe colours in the print really suit you. Now the dress – you’ve done a brilliant piece of work!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:44h, 09 FebruaryAh….. thank you so much, Maria!
Karen
Posted at 14:58h, 08 FebruaryOh, I like it! With such a distinctive fabric, your use of a simple pattern is excellent. Also, what a great idea to use the silk knit as your underlining. I would imagine this dress is very comfortable to wear, too!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:46h, 09 FebruaryThank you, Karen! I have never lined a knit garment before and wasn’t sure what to use, but I’m very pleased with the choice for this dress. It is quite comfortable – receiving its public debut today! 🙂
laurahoj
Posted at 15:16h, 08 FebruaryLove the dress! I’m glad you were able to finally get a Missoni.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:50h, 09 FebruaryThank you, Laura! Good luck with your jeans sew along. 🙂
Joy
Posted at 15:43h, 08 FebruaryFabulous dress! I LOVE IT?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:50h, 09 FebruaryI love it too ? (LOL)
Joy
Posted at 15:45h, 08 FebruaryNo question mark mistake, really love the dress, suits you well!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:51h, 09 FebruaryHi Joy – I know the question mark was a typo! Many thanks for your nice comment!
Janet Wheeler
Posted at 16:25h, 08 FebruaryLooks fabulous on you. Great job!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:51h, 09 FebruaryThank you, Janet!
Sharon
Posted at 16:47h, 08 FebruaryAbsolutely gorgeous dress and yes for this 5’2″ person this is exactly why I sew!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:52h, 09 FebruaryAmen, sister – You are an expert at fitting! Many thanks for the nice comment 🙂
jlundy6116
Posted at 16:53h, 08 FebruaryCream silk knit? Missoni print? Wow, you have a real coutour dress there. Plus, it’s a great fit, a great color on you. You totally nailed this one!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:00h, 09 FebruaryMany thanks! I almost bought a Missoni print when last year when I first started back to sewing clothes, but I knew I was getting ahead of myself and used restraint for a change. I had no idea what to line this special fabric with and knew I couldn’t go wrong with cream silk. It definitely turned into one special garment 🙂
Madeleine Mino
Posted at 17:15h, 08 FebruarySimply fabulous!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:05h, 09 FebruaryThank you, Mdeleine!
Sally Frick
Posted at 17:16h, 08 FebruaryBravo!!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:05h, 09 FebruaryEncore????????
Deborah R Penner
Posted at 17:24h, 08 FebruaryI have been looking at the Missoni fabrics on the Britex site for a year. This inspires me to make a similar dress. Even at 80 dollars per yard at 2 yards, the dress would be less than purchased garment.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:06h, 09 FebruaryThank you, Deborah! The Missonis at Mood are $40/yard. Might be worth investigating!
Javie
Posted at 17:33h, 08 FebruaryLove your dress! Beautiful job matching the chevrons too. I always wondered about underlining knits. I have some sheer knits and I’ll have to try your approach.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:18h, 09 FebruaryThank you, Javie! I have never underlined a knit garment before but I had no choice on this one other than wearing something under it. I noticed some of the Missoni dresses online were lined which helped me make my decision 🙂
CherryPix
Posted at 18:00h, 08 FebruaryMissoni will be wanting it your way too, once they get a look at this dress! That style is great on you…your b+w version was the first of your creations that I saw and swooned over…(there have been many swoons since… 😉
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:20h, 09 FebruaryMany thanks, Cherry Pix! Missoni seems to be doing fine without me as a designer AND as a customer (LOL) The bottom line is if I want to wear a Missoni, then I will have to make it 🙂
Dilliander
Posted at 18:39h, 08 FebruaryReally lovely!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:21h, 09 FebruaryThank you, Dilliander!
Gail
Posted at 19:57h, 08 FebruaryStunning dress and I love the idea of underlining it. Missoni wool can be a little itchy against the skin.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:22h, 09 FebruaryMany thanks, Gail! The underlining worked nicely – my first time to underline or line a knit garment.
Susie Homemaker, MD
Posted at 20:22h, 08 FebruaryGorgeous dress! I have two lengths of Missoni that I have been dying to sew up but have been scared to ruin it and haven’t been sure of the pattern to use. You have inspired me to go ahead and do it already! 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:30h, 09 FebruaryThat a girl! After your fabulous trip to CA I bet you can sew anything 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you do with your Missonis!
Jacqui
Posted at 21:38h, 08 FebruaryStunning dress as usual Sarah – I am envious of that wonderful side match. Looking forward to the next dress!!! I do so love your taste in clothes that just suit you so well.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:31h, 09 FebruaryHi Jacqui – I was as careful as I knew how to be 🙂 Maybe I should try that more often! Many thanks for your nice comment.
Dixie
Posted at 22:23h, 08 FebruaryYour very own Missoni – congratulations! You did a superb job of constructing this, and it looks terrific on you. Very nice!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:33h, 09 FebruaryThank you, Dixie!
lisa g
Posted at 08:47h, 09 Februaryso, so, so beautiful! great work on this one!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:37h, 09 FebruaryThank you, Lisa! I have been trying to comment on your blog but the comment disappears. At any rate – your Thurlows look super 🙂
oonaballoona
Posted at 09:27h, 09 Februarymay i add, your pictures are as crisp and beautiful as your stunning dress??
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:38h, 09 February…..and where would I be without Oonaballoona’s electronic advise? Stuck in fuzzyland for sure!
Lizzie blatt
Posted at 01:04h, 10 FebruaryThis dress looks amazing. Did you serge it, or use the sewing machine throughout ? I would love to work with more knits but I hate using a serger. If I could get a garment to look this good by just using a sewing machine, it would be heaven.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:40h, 10 FebruaryThank you, Lizzie! I reached the point where I could not sew with my old serger anymore. It was a free one that came with my Berninia 20 years ago and always gave me issues. My new serger is an enormous improvement.
I sewed the seams on this dress with my machine but I finished all of them with the serger. I suppose I could have catch-stitched the seam to the lining but serging was quick, neat and easy.
Sewing on knits without a serger can be done no doubt, however I am far from being an expert and can only write about what works for me. Good luck!
chicenvelopements
Posted at 10:52h, 10 FebruaryTurned out beautiful! Perfect for spring. I’ve been eyeing a similar print and wondering if I should attempt it. You’ve inspired me to perhaps take it on.
Happy sewing!
Beth
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 22:09h, 10 FebruaryYou’d look great in this print, Beth! I’ll look for it 🙂
Alethia
Posted at 20:33h, 10 FebruaryBeautiful job, and I love the colors!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 22:15h, 10 FebruaryMany thanks, Alethia! I thought the colors spelled H A P P Y 🙂 🙂
Suzanne
Posted at 10:41h, 11 FebruaryI just thought: “Wow!” when I saw the picture. Haven’t had time to read your post earlier. Never was much of a fan of the Missoni stripes I must say-until now. You chose the right colors for your dress. It’s really looking gorgeous!
lbrundage
Posted at 16:12h, 12 FebruaryOh, oh, OH! I love it! It’s SO cute! Very flattering. Absolutely a flattering dress on you.
Teri
Posted at 13:15h, 13 FebruarySo sew cute!
Fara
Posted at 12:53h, 23 FebruaryCould you tell me what fabric you use to make a muslin for a stretchy fashion fabric such as a Missoni knit or silk jersey?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:17h, 23 FebruaryHi Fara,
Just like in the New Look pattern, I had made the pattern I used in the Missoni dress before and was familiar with the fit. I have a hard time making muslins with knits because all knits are different. I am just now becoming slightly comfortable predicting how knits will fit and still have a long way to go. I recommend buying a very inexpensive knit (but not cotton jersey since it has little stretch,) to use for a muslin. Please let me know if you find the perfect knit muslin fabric. I’m scratching my head on this one too.
Jennifer Mariel Shaw
Posted at 19:52h, 09 SeptemberThis dress of yours is fantastic!! It’s absolutely gorgeous!! So glad that I did an internet search and found your post on sewing with Missoni fabric. Timing is everything. I have a faux Missoni fabric and I am doing a test v neck sleeveless shell. Since I have previously made the said top, I have been looking for sewing tips.
I have squirreled a way a few pieces of Missoni fabric in my stash. My ultimate goal is to make some stunning semi cardigan styled sweaters for myself. Thank you again, Sara