04 Jul Red, White and ………
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!








Valerie
Posted at 08:07h, 04 JulyHappy 4th of July! The dress is so cheerful and pretty – just right for a celebration.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:34h, 05 JulyMany thanks, Valerie 🙂 !
carol
Posted at 08:12h, 04 JulyI love your dress. Have a great 4th celebration!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:35h, 05 JulyThank you so much, Carol!
sewbusylizzy
Posted at 08:18h, 04 JulyThis looks absolutely smashing on you! I love it- which pattern number was this?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:36h, 05 JulyHi Lizzy! It’s Vogue 8182 which is out of print, however the Vogue website has it listed for $1.99 as a clearance item.
prttynpnk
Posted at 08:22h, 04 JulyI love how the pattern gathers and creates new detail on the print- such a good fabric choice for this! I love it on you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:37h, 05 JulyThank you so much! I didn’t know how it was going to turn out but it was a nice surprise 🙂
Marlene
Posted at 08:24h, 04 JulyI think the dress is beautiful and lively looking. Nothing wrong with that! You look so great in bright colors.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:38h, 05 JulyThank you so much Marlene. For years I avoided bright colors – not sure why!
Becky
Posted at 08:53h, 04 JulyAnother 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.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:40h, 05 JulyMany 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 🙂
sewingwithaskein
Posted at 08:55h, 04 JulyOh!! this dress is VERY nice! You look Great!! I want to make this!!! Happy 4th!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:45h, 05 JulyThank you so much! I love the dress you just made and became your latest follower!
Pauline Droy
Posted at 08:55h, 04 Julylovely looking dress – you clearly got around the missing instructions ok – Happy 4th July to you
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:47h, 05 JulyThank you, Pauline. I don’t want to sew without instructions again but I’m glad to know I can if I have to.!
Carolyn
Posted at 09:42h, 04 JulyWhat a perfect dress for the holiday! You did a fabulous job on this one!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:48h, 05 JulyThank you so much, Carolyn! I’m anxiously awaiting the completion of your lace dress 🙂
Lori
Posted at 10:13h, 04 JulyHappy 4th of July to you, your dress is fabulous
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:49h, 05 JulyMany thanks, Lori. I hope you and your family had a great 4th as well!
Andrea
Posted at 10:45h, 04 JulyFun dress! I love the fabric choice, and it looks great on you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:49h, 05 JulyThank you so much, Andrea!
Carolyn
Posted at 11:03h, 04 JulyIt’s the perfect marriage of fabric and pattern design.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:51h, 05 JulyMany thanks, Carolyn! I’m very pleased.
Sandy
Posted at 11:38h, 04 JulyThis 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!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:42h, 05 JulySandy,
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!
Beth (sunnygalstudio)
Posted at 11:40h, 04 JulyPerfect! now please send it to me, thanks much 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:51h, 05 JulyI’m happy to if I can have that cute blue dress you just finished 🙂 !!
Cissie
Posted at 11:59h, 04 JulyGreat dress and perfect for the fourth. Hope you have somewhere special to go so you can show off!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:57h, 05 JulyThank you, Cissie! We attend an annual party with good friends, good food and good fireworks – always fun and always special 🙂
Shams
Posted at 12:01h, 04 JulyWow, this is one of my favorite things I’ve ever seen on you and that’s saying something. Fabulous and perfect for the 4th!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:58h, 05 JulyMany thanks for this nice comment, Shams!
Louella
Posted at 13:03h, 04 JulyStunning dress! Happy 4th of July!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:54h, 05 JulyThank you, Louella! I really like the clothes you are making and just started following your blog 🙂
gingermakes
Posted at 13:15h, 04 JulySo cute! I love this! Happy 4th!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:59h, 05 JulyThank you so much, Ginger!
katy
Posted at 14:17h, 04 JulyYou really know how to pair a pattern with fabric.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:00h, 05 JulyI try 🙂 🙂 !
Maggie Edger
Posted at 14:34h, 04 JulyThis 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
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:01h, 05 JulyThanks so much Maggie! I was pleased with this one. Hope you had a great 4th too!
Faye
Posted at 15:48h, 04 JulyLovely dress and I’m impressed with how well the pattern looks made up…. enjoy your day knowing you look the part
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:02h, 05 JulyThank you Faye! Tia Dia’s review on PR (Mezzo Couture) inspired me to make this dress 🙂
Karen
Posted at 16:27h, 04 JulyYour 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!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:04h, 05 JulyWhat 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.
Doobee
Posted at 16:38h, 04 JulySuper dress – great fabric to pattern matching on this one!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:05h, 05 JulyMany thanks, Doobee!
SA Curve Ruler
Posted at 17:47h, 04 JulyI adore your 4th of July dress!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:08h, 05 JulyThank you! I adore the pocket template I just read about on your blog and am placing an order today 🙂
poppykettle
Posted at 18:46h, 04 JulyYou always pick the coolest fabrics. Love the effect of this one and the dress looks fabulous on!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:15h, 05 JulyThank you! You have a great blog which I am now following 🙂
Leah
Posted at 18:52h, 04 JulyThanks for reminding me how great this pattern is to sew. So pretty!
Leah
Posted at 19:09h, 04 JulyThank you for reminding me of this wonderful pattern. So pretty!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:18h, 05 JulyThank 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.
Leah
Posted at 19:10h, 04 JulyPretty!
Myra
Posted at 19:44h, 04 JulyWhat 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!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:20h, 05 JulyMany 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 🙂
chicenvelopements
Posted at 21:08h, 04 JulyYou look as beautiful as ever in this dress!
Happy Fourth of July!
Beth
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:21h, 05 JulyThank you, Beth! Hope you had a grand 4th on the West coast!
Tia Dia
Posted at 21:14h, 04 JulyThis 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!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:23h, 05 JulyMany 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!
Coco
Posted at 23:12h, 04 JulyThis is really very becoming, lovely waistband and bodice. Thanks for link to fabric as well, new one for me!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:29h, 05 JulyThank 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.
Gail
Posted at 23:16h, 04 JulyHappy holiday. Your dress is just sensational and makes me yearn for summer.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:31h, 05 JulyHi Gail and thanks for writing! Our summer has been a scorcher so far – I’d welcome a few cool days at the moment 🙂
CherryPix
Posted at 23:44h, 04 JulyWow – you put the firecrackers to shame! Great style on you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:32h, 05 JulyWhat a great line!! Many thanks for writing 🙂
AllisonC
Posted at 07:42h, 05 JulyThis is an incredibly flattering dress and the print is gorgeous too.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:46h, 05 JulyThank you, Allison! I started to make the dress you just finished but chickened out after reading your post 🙂
Gabrielle
Posted at 08:45h, 05 JulyIt’s beautiful on you – and yet before seeing your dress I wouldn’t have given this pattern a second look!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 05:23h, 06 JulyThank 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.
Lynn
Posted at 08:47h, 05 JulyI think if Vogue saw that dress they would bring that pattern back….how gorgeous!!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 05:23h, 06 JulyWhat a nice comment! Many thanks for writing, Lynn 🙂
Pamela Erny
Posted at 08:48h, 05 JulyThe 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 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 05:28h, 06 JulyThank 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 🙂
Kari
Posted at 08:57h, 05 JulyI 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!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 05:32h, 06 JulyHi 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 🙂
frammajoy
Posted at 09:17h, 05 JulyAWESOME! 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.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 05:36h, 06 JulyThank 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 🙂
Beth
Posted at 09:45h, 05 JulyThis is one of my favorites so far! Great job and happy 4th!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 05:36h, 06 JulyMany thanks, Beth! Hope you had a great one too!
tigergirl
Posted at 01:06h, 06 JulyThis dress looks amazing. The print fits perfectly with the style and looks fabulous on you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 05:43h, 06 JulyThanks, Tigergirl !! I was pleased to see it all come together 🙂
Lexley- Brisbane AU
Posted at 18:43h, 06 JulyIt 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
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:19h, 07 JulyHi 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 🙂
Ruth
Posted at 03:43h, 07 JulyI know I’m late to the party but your clothes are always so bright and happy – perfect fabric and the dress really suits you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:22h, 07 JulyI’ll extend the party just for you, Ruth! Many thanks for the nice comment 🙂
Joanie Molnar
Posted at 11:32h, 07 JulyI always looks for anything you post. Love the dress. You really inspire me. Thanks!!!
Kathie Bennett
Posted at 15:14h, 08 JulyGreat fabric…SMASHING!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:16h, 08 JulyThanks, Kathie! Mood Fabrics is loaded with a great selection of fabrics!
Cheryl
Posted at 20:52h, 10 JulySo 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 🙂