10 Jan New Year’s Spirit! Vogue 8241
I started the New Year generous in spirit by making a dress for my daughter. It’s been over 15 years since I have heard “Will you make me a dress, Mom? ” and she wasn’t referring to a Children’s Corner or Martha Pullen pattern anymore. Mimi wanted a formal dress.
Not only did I make a dress for Mimi, but I made a dress for Mimi with my Mood Fabrics allowance using this baby sequined fabric with a poly-knit mesh base lined with matching china silk. I bought the fabric at Mood NYC and understand there is a good amount available. I have linked you to the sequined fabric in black, but Mood is steadily adding more sequined fabrics to its online offerings; check back here (or call 1-212-730-5003 for the fabric I used).
Due to a busy holiday season we had one day to select the pattern and make a muslin. Time was of the essence forcing me into a sewing marathon in order to finish the dress on time. My only prerequisite was that Mimi select an easy pattern due to time constraints. She wanted a dress that can be easily shortened after the event and settled on Very Easy Vogue 8241.
In making a quick muslin, we faced gaping armholes, but the issue was easily solved by running an ease stitch along the front armhole.
As I sewed the shoulder seams lining and fabric together in an awkward continuous seam, I thought about Susan Khalje’s preference for completing the lining and bodice as separate pieces and carefully handstitching the two together. I partook in a prayful moment before stepping on the presser foot, and was thankful to discover the seams matched.
While Mimi and I wait for a perfect button to appear, I sewed a metal snap at the back opening which magically disappeared into the fabric.
So without further ado, h e r e ’ s Mimi!
We agree the simplicity of the dress pattern lets this gorgeous fabric speak for itself.
The light affects the color of the sequins which change from champagne to gold to taupe.
…….and it moves well too!
Mimi and I love everything about the dress! We deemed it a true winner when my older daughter asked for a short silk version for spring. Looks like I’ll be happily making another one 🙂
Hmmm………….Suddenly the expression
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime
comes to mind. 😉
Have fun, Mimi!
Leigh
Posted at 12:01h, 10 JanuaryBeautiful dress AND daughter! Great job! 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:28h, 10 JanuaryThank you, Leigh. It was fun to work on something special for Mimi 🙂
Jeannie
Posted at 12:08h, 10 JanuaryStunning! I love it!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:29h, 10 JanuaryMany thanks, Jeannie! I adore your blog 🙂 🙂
PendleStitches
Posted at 12:08h, 10 JanuaryStunning! Both of them.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:30h, 10 JanuaryAh….. thanks, Pendle Stitches, I think she looks stunning too 🙂
Lori
Posted at 12:10h, 10 JanuaryGorgeous daughter and her dress is beautiful. Hope you have time to sew for yourself now!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:31h, 10 JanuaryOh I’m back on track……. Many thanks for writing, Lori!
Pauline Droy
Posted at 12:11h, 10 Januarybeautiful dress – I agree with “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” comment but yet to manage to do it with my family and friends lol
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:33h, 10 JanuaryAmem! Let me know when you have learned the secret to executing this wise proverb 🙂 Thanks for writing, Pauline!
Mary Jo Rice
Posted at 12:19h, 10 JanuaryThis beautiful dress renews my enthusiasm for sewing. The pattern, fabric choice and fit are the perfect combination. Well done!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:33h, 10 JanuaryWhat a nice comment, Mary Jo! Many thanks for writing. 🙂
Carole Mellin
Posted at 12:22h, 10 JanuaryLovely dress on a lovely daughter. You are blessed with your children and your talent.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:37h, 10 JanuaryThank you, Carole! My children are certainly a blessing……. the talent, um, I’m working on it 🙂
mollyblossomdesign
Posted at 12:23h, 10 JanuaryGorgeous! Love the simple silhouette to let the fabric be the star.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:41h, 10 JanuaryMany thanks, Molly! What fun you are having sewing for your children – adorable!
Tracey
Posted at 12:25h, 10 JanuaryBeautiful dress and cute daughter! And how clever to ask to have it shortened after the event. I bet after shortening, the extra fabric would make a cute skirt, which seems so ‘in’ right now.
Your work inspires! Thanks for sharing!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:42h, 10 JanuaryMany thanks, Tracey! I had the same thought about a skirt. Now……. which one of us will get it? 🙂 🙂
ewellons
Posted at 12:28h, 10 JanuaryGorgeous. Glam. Red carpet worthy. If only I had a place to wear something like this!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:42h, 10 JanuaryThank you, Cissie! My children have far more glam events than me 😉
TLW
Posted at 12:33h, 10 JanuaryGreat minds think alike! I first sewed this pattern last summer and it is now one of my favorites. The 5th one, a bronze sequin on a mottled grey/bronze mesh version that I made for the holidays looks very much like your daughter’s! Love this pattern!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:41h, 10 JanuaryWow – you’ve made five? I’d love to know what fabric you used for the first four…. 🙂 Many thanks for writing!
Joyce Love
Posted at 12:41h, 10 JanuaryBeautiful dress on a beautiful girl! I know she appreciates you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:42h, 10 JanuaryThank you so much, Joyce!
Mrs. K
Posted at 13:04h, 10 JanuaryI have to agree with all comments above. Mimi looks fantastic.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:42h, 10 JanuaryThanks, Mrs. K!!!!!
Jacq C
Posted at 13:16h, 10 JanuaryBoth dress and daughter are stunning. I made a dress for my daughter last year and the deal was she had to help, this was more of a struggle than I thought – for both of us! I’m hoping though that she will get the sewing bug 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:53h, 10 JanuaryHi Jacq! We had such limited time together that Mimi’s job was to iron pattern pieces, hand me pins and be my assistant but maybe one day she’ll take up sewing 🙂 Thank you for the nice comment!
carolinascallin
Posted at 13:19h, 10 JanuaryShe looks lovely! Great job 🙂 I’ll bet the short version will be too cute!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:54h, 10 JanuaryThank you, Cheryl! How are you?
Karin
Posted at 13:27h, 10 JanuaryShe looks beautiful! What a great mom you are to make her such a stunning dress! The less is more approach works especially well on pretty young women.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:56h, 10 JanuaryMany thanks, Karin! Mimi’s dress was fun to make especially since it was for a special occasion. I often find it’s best to keep it simple! 🙂
Tonia Van Dyk
Posted at 13:28h, 10 JanuaryOh my goodness – what a fabulous dress! And your daughter is beautiful too 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:57h, 10 JanuaryThank you, Tonia!
Cuckoo Chanel
Posted at 13:28h, 10 JanuaryAbsolutely gorgeous dress AND daughter. You are amazing.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:57h, 10 JanuaryAw…. thank you for the very sweet comment ! 🙂
Pam from South Australia
Posted at 13:29h, 10 JanuaryLess is more…..how true. Simple style, gorgeous fabric (& daughter).
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:59h, 10 JanuaryHi Pam! Simple definitely worked this time 🙂
Joanie
Posted at 13:33h, 10 JanuaryBEAUTIFUL DRESS, AND EQUALLY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 22:00h, 10 JanuaryThank you, Joanie!
Ann-Britt Uhrbom
Posted at 13:35h, 10 JanuaryA pretty girl in a pretty dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 22:00h, 10 JanuaryMany thanks, Ann-Britt ! 🙂
Jill
Posted at 13:48h, 10 JanuaryWow! Beautiful!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 22:01h, 10 JanuaryThank you, Jill. I was ver pleased and so was Mimi! 🙂
Becky
Posted at 14:03h, 10 JanuaryOh, the simple pattern really showcases this beautiful fabric. She looks stunning. I hope Mimi appreciates having a mother who sews for her. I always did, but not enough! Great job!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:28h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Becky! Mimi is very appreciative, but I hope one day she will learn to sew. 🙂
Jane's sew & tell
Posted at 14:03h, 10 JanuaryLovely dress and great fabric. Did you have problems with the sequins? I always worry they will break beneath the needle
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:30h, 13 JanuaryHi Jane – Thank you for the nice comment. The sequins were simple to sew on, but the fabric was not heavily sequined, I had no broken needles or any problems whatsoever!
lisa g
Posted at 14:09h, 10 Januarywow! sometimes simple really is best! the sequined fabric is just gorgeous and perfect for that pattern. great work!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:32h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Lisa! I’m glad we kept it simple for sure 🙂 I love the sewing you did in 2012!
Judi
Posted at 15:01h, 10 JanuaryGorgeous dress, beautiful daughter!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:32h, 13 JanuaryMany thanks, Judi!
Margy Houtz
Posted at 15:25h, 10 JanuaryOh, how pretty! Both the dress and the daughter!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:34h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Margy! Mimi was thrilled with the result – I was relieved and delighted 🙂
Mimi
Posted at 15:48h, 10 JanuaryThanks, Mom!! 🙂 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:34h, 13 JanuaryY O U A R E W E L C O M E ! ! !
sewbusylizzy
Posted at 16:16h, 10 JanuaryI’m so glad you chose this pattern. I have it and black sequined fabric but had held off due to some bad reviews!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:36h, 13 JanuaryHi Lizzy! My only problem was the gaping in the armholes and the ease stitch did the trick without any puckering. You’ll be stunning in black sequins!
sewruth
Posted at 16:20h, 10 JanuaryGosh, she looks so like you! Beautiful dress (and model). Very well done.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:37h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Ruth!
Sofie
Posted at 16:36h, 10 JanuaryBeautiful – daughter and dress! I made a red sequinned dress for NYE celebrations and also used a simple cowl dress. This is the colour I wanted but they didn’t have any left.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:38h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Sofie! You look beautiful in the red sequins!
Sharon
Posted at 17:02h, 10 JanuaryGorgeous dress and sets of the fabric perfectly.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:39h, 13 JanuaryMany thanks, Sharon 🙂
Sally
Posted at 18:44h, 10 JanuaryLove the dress, the color and the beautiful model. Well done!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:39h, 13 JanuaryIt all turned out! Whew 🙂
Alethia
Posted at 18:45h, 10 JanuaryI’m with you and Mimi, I love this dress! I love the pattern…I have yet to make it for myself, but I plan to. I’ve made it twice for the same client, both times in velvet…they turned out gorgeous! and, you’re right, the simplicity of the pattern does allow the fabric to speak!! I often imagined it in a sequined fabric…it turned out wonderfully!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:41h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Alethia! I loved sewing this pattern too and was pleased at how easily it went together 🙂
oonaballoona
Posted at 18:57h, 10 Januaryabsolutely jaw dropping. JAW DROPPING!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:42h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Oona! Would you believe she caught the bouquet 😉
gingermakes
Posted at 19:59h, 10 JanuaryI love this SO MUCH! Absolutely gorgeous. Your daughter is gorgeous, just like you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:42h, 13 JanuaryWhat a sweet comment, Ginger! I love this pattern – might even make myself one 🙂 !
gingermakes
Posted at 14:25h, 13 JanuaryAhh! You should! You would look great in this style!
Lorraine
Posted at 20:55h, 10 JanuaryHi Pauline, My daughter sent me a link to your website and I’m so glad she did. Your daughter and her dress look fabulous and it will look great when you shorten it. My daughter and I are going to have a sewing weekend soon and make a version of the Keira Knightly green dress worn in the film ‘Atonement’……and (the even better news) we are making it with fabric purchased from the Great Gatsby sale here in Sydney recently where they sold a lot of the props, fabrics, etc. after the film was finished. I can’t wait to start sewing the dress for a red carpet function at the Sydney Opera House. I have added your blog to my bookmarks and will be checking on your next creation!
Best regards,
Lorraine E.
Judy Smitn
Posted at 20:57h, 10 JanuaryShe’s adorable and the dress is gorgeous!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:43h, 13 JanuaryMany thanks, Judy!
twotoast
Posted at 21:56h, 10 JanuaryGorgeous dress dress and stunning model! And such luxe fabrics!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:44h, 13 JanuaryThe fabric definitely made the dress this time! Thank you!
Myra
Posted at 22:38h, 10 JanuaryAwwwwww, she’s so cute! (And the dress too!). Seriously though…your work on this dress was absolutely great and your daughter looks stunning!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:45h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Myra! The fabric and model exceed my sewing 🙂 🙂
crystalpleats
Posted at 01:32h, 11 JanuaryOh my goodness, your daughter is a brunette version of you! She looks fabulous in her new dress, and how fun to have an occasion to wear a formal. Beautiful gown.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:47h, 13 JanuaryThank you for this sweet comment, Crystalpleats! We were very pleased 🙂
ZoSews
Posted at 03:46h, 11 JanuaryFabulous dress!!! Were the sequins hard to sew with? I want to make a similar dress (but with a faux wrap / v neck and shoestring strap bodice) but I’m scared of sequins! And don’t really need a floor length sequin number right now, but that’s a minor detail 😉
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:50h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Zoe! The sequins were not difficult to sew on at all – No broken needle or strange seams! This fabric was not heavily sequined like many I have seen. I’m glad I kept it simple though 🙂
ZoSews
Posted at 06:34h, 15 JanuaryThat’s encouraging. Now I just need to find some kind of justification for my gown… 🙂
Karen
Posted at 13:20h, 11 JanuaryWhat a perfect pairing of fabric and pattern – and daughter!! Mimi – you look gorgeous, and I hope you told everyone that your mom made your gorgeous dress! It is really flattering – just lovely!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:51h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Karen! I have a feeling Mimi told everyone I made her dress 🙂
Gail
Posted at 22:21h, 11 JanuaryYou made the right decision to keep it simple. The results are totally glamourous!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:52h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Gail! I love, love, love your latest tunic! 🙂
Jan Blazejewski
Posted at 09:45h, 12 JanuarySuch a beautiful dress and beautiful daughter! Good luck on teaching her to “fish”. My daughter loves for me to sew, but sees no reason to learn since I can. I have talked to other moms with similar experiences. I know there are exceptions and I hope your daughters agree to learn from their very talented mom.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:53h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Jan! While I don’t expect her to learn to sew immediately, I think she may consider it down the road 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:10h, 18 JanuaryThank you, Jan! I don’t expect either daughter to learn to sew until they have a little more space. Eventually however I hope at least ONE will learn.Time will tell, I suppose 🙂 🙂
michelle
Posted at 13:38h, 12 JanuaryI found your blog while I was looking for reviews on this pattern. I have a Charity Gala to go to in less than 3 weeks. I had already bought this pattern and was debating on it and two Burda patterns. After I saw your lovely daughter in the photo, I immediately sat down in my studio and prepared the Vogue pattern!! I desperately looked for EXACTLY the fabric you used and didn’t find it. I have some 5 yards of Crepe Satin in a beautiful bordeaux which I knew would be more than enough for any dress I chose and decided to use it mostly because I thought it would look stunning with my patent leather nude peeptoes! I’m going at it without a muslin…wish me luck!
You’re making me wonder if I could do a fast….maybe start with 6 months??
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:57h, 13 JanuaryYour dress will be beautiful in a bordeaux satin! Are you sure you don’t want to make a muslin – just on the top? I’ve found this to be the key to successful sewing for me because I’ve yet to find a patten that fits perfectly. Please send me a photo of your finished dress and good luck with the sewing!! 🙂
PS….. the RTW Fast is a piece of cake 🙂
Carol
Posted at 14:37h, 12 JanuaryI made this dress about 8 years ago and loved it. I still have this pattern (it’s classic). Since then I have inherited a hunk of black sequin fabric. I think there will be a wedding soon!!! Thanks for the idea and inspiration! Oh and teaching a man to fish is a good thing! (LOL!)
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:58h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Carol! I love this pattern too! …. a black sequin dress would be fabulous! 🙂
Robin
Posted at 21:28h, 12 Januarybeautiful!! The fabric really looks gorgeous in every light, the sewing is perfect and it looks lovely on your daughter!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:59h, 13 JanuaryMany thanks, Robin and thank goodness it all worked out!!
jlundy6116
Posted at 07:37h, 13 JanuaryWow, a stunning dress for a stunning girl!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:00h, 13 JanuaryMany thanks, and I love that dress you’re getting rid of 😉
Rita
Posted at 15:04h, 13 JanuaryThe dress is gorgeous. I’m totally jealous cause after trying to make a sequened dress and breaking at least 6 needles I gave up. I was worried I’d wreck the timing on my machine. Any tricks to sewing with sequens?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:51h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Rita! This fabric was not heavily sequined which made for easy sewing. The sequins were made of a very light weight plastic. I’ve heard you should take off the sequins in the seam allowance to avoid breaking needles, but I didn’t have to do that with this fabric.
Don’t give up!!!
Rita
Posted at 21:38h, 13 JanuaryThank you. I won’t give up!! Once again, the dress is beautiful
Calico Stretch
Posted at 18:09h, 13 JanuaryYay to the “please sew for me” sound! Soon I know my kids will stop wanting me to make them stuff and I hope one day in the not too distant future they’ll start asking me again. Wonderful fabric choice – I bet it is a dream to wear too. Lovely dress and daughter both.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:47h, 13 JanuaryThank you, Calico Stretch! Time flies as it seems like I was making her little girl clothes not too long ago. 🙂 Now that she she’s how grown up sewing is worthwhile after all, I hope she will consider learning one day !
Amanda
Posted at 20:36h, 13 JanuaryI love that dress. It looks like something Taylor Swift would wear to an awards ceremony.
My mom made all my clothes when I was little & tried to teach me to sew when I was a teenager. Instead, I bought tons of Forever 21 & Target clothes that fell apart after a few washes. Now that I have a job and buy my own clothes, I am frustrated with the quality of clothes. I am also frustrated with how hard it is to find trendy clothes that are appropriate to wear as a teacher (the mall is full of business clothes that are too tight, too short, and too low-cut for teaching). This past summer I taught myself to sew using You Tube videos & blogs (at age 27). When I started to sew more complicated things, I asked my mom to help me. She almost died of shock that I started sewing!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:07h, 14 JanuaryHi Amanda – What a great story! I have not tried to teach my daughters to sew yet, and like you, it may be easier to learn the basics from someone other than me 🙂 At any rate you have embraced a life long hobby that can bring about enjoyment on many levels.
Thank you for the compliment on the dress and for sharing your sewing experience!
Heather
Posted at 23:04h, 13 JanuaryWhat a gorgeous dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:08h, 14 JanuaryThank you, Heather!
Jacqui
Posted at 20:18h, 17 JanuaryBeautiful dress for a beautiful girl – Really enjoyed following your journey and look forward to sewing with you in 2013.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:06h, 18 JanuaryThank you, Jacqui! I’m just about at a stopping point with reorganizing the sewing room and can’t wait to start sewing again 🙂
AJW
Posted at 19:27h, 29 JanuaryI am about to make this dress for my college-age daughter — she has a very special event coming up next month. She’s about 2.5 hours away so my fitting timeframe is tight. Am wondering if you could elaborate a bit on how you handled the armhole gaping — did you do a slight gather along the armscye edge and cut the lining a bit smaller to accommodate? I’m thinking about how this came about and having a hard time envisioning it. I am also thinking my daughter will need a slight FBA on this pattern, which may be an additional challenge. But we have beautiful fabric and I’m very excited about diving it. Just looking for any additional insight. Your daughter and her dress are beautiful — am hoping for a similar outcome.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:45h, 29 JanuaryHi AJW and thanks for writing. After making the muslin we noticed gaping armholes. I ran an easestitch along the front portion (single stitch line on longest stitch-length setting) along the front armscye edge for the fashion fabric and lining. This completely took care of the problem. Of course I tried this out on the muslin first. Because my fashion fabric was textured and heavy the easestitch was not noticable at all! I hope the solution is as easy for you. Good luck and I’d love to see a pic of the finished dress!
AJW
Posted at 19:50h, 29 JanuaryIncredibly kind of you to answer so quickly — I am greatly appreciative. I will keep this tip in mind as I work on my daughter’s muslin — our fabric is also textured so I suspect the same “fix” will work, if needed, on our version. If all comes together I will be sure to share a pic upon completion. Facing the same time constraint as you did, coupled with the long-distance fitting and sewing issue — I’m fingers X’d that this pattern has as successful an outcome. Thank you again!
Coco
Posted at 18:12h, 11 FebruaryI am forever in love with pattern. Such a classic line. picture with opera gloves…Beautiful on your DD.
My Six Month Sewing Commitment | stella-lily's
Posted at 09:12h, 11 May[…] a Gala to go to and wanted to make my own dress that would be simple and quick. Not only did her pattern review help my decision to use this pattern but it got me […]