03 Apr Saint James Dress
Knowing I can sew a garment for a tiny fraction of the retail price of a simply thrills me, and is one of the reasons I continue to sew.
I knew I could make the $200 Saint James Toledo striped dress I saw in a boutique in Charlotte,but I didn’t know that Mood Fabrics stocked Saint James knits ~ the very same fabrics!
Upon finding Burda 6722, I knew it was meant to be.
Described as a ponte, Mood offers the Saint James knits in several colors, and I chose the white background with black stripes.
I rarely sew Burda patterns (no reason in particular) but that needs to change for their fit is always spot on! I made no pattern alterations other than shortening the bodice along the adjustment lines.
Loaded with body and a terrific drape, the fabric works well for a shapely garment and has great recovery.
Stripes are so much fun to work with! I couldn’t end this project without a little play on stripes, and echoed the vertical stripes in the shoulder with a small vertical striped border on the hem.For the 1″ border, I wanted to encase the lower edge and cut a 3″ strip of fabric which was folded in half.
After turning and pressing in 1/2″ on each side, I found the placement line on the outside of the dress and basted in place along the foldline before stitching, and then folding to the inside.
I ultimately decided to finish the border by handstitching rather than topstitching since the only topstitching featured is on the sleeve hem, and is barely visible.
Since I was unable to make a muslin for this dress, all seams were first basted before stitching and finished in the serger.
The pattern would have been an instant gratification project had I not added the border, but I’m loving the finished look!
A big thumbs up to Mood Fabrics for finding this great knit and a very Happy Monday to all 🙂
Mary Stein
Posted at 10:08h, 03 AprilBetter by far than the original!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:25h, 03 AprilAh….. that’s so nice, Mary! Many thanks 🙂
Joy
Posted at 10:09h, 03 AprilSarah, your dress is beautiful! I have the same fabric and was going to make another Burda T-shirt pattern, but after seeing your dress, will order this pattern today!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:26h, 03 AprilThank you, Joy! Good luck with the dress 😉
Kathy T
Posted at 10:15h, 03 AprilVery nice summer dress and the addition of the hem detail is truly fun. Thank you for the information about Mood Fabrics offering St. James knits. Who knew?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:27h, 03 AprilMany thanks, Kathy! I also recommend visiting the Saint James website 😉
Jeff Laskowski
Posted at 10:18h, 03 AprilVery nice dress. I like the perpendicular lines at the hemline!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:27h, 03 AprilThank you so much, Jeff (?) !
MaryEllen
Posted at 10:18h, 03 AprilI have this fabric in the navy/green . Your dress is so much better than the original . You have such a great knack for matching fabric & pattern . LOVE IT
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:28h, 03 AprilThank you, Mary Ellen!After putting the vertical band on, I actually like it better than the Saint James dress too. 😉
Connie Griffin
Posted at 10:28h, 03 AprilYou look beautiful, as always, in your creation. Very inspiring!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:29h, 03 AprilThank you so much, Connie!
Sandy
Posted at 10:34h, 03 AprilInteresting that for $200 you don’t get sleeve stripes that match the bodice, which means your dress must be worth far more than that! I especially like the border hem.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:29h, 03 AprilI like the way you think, Sandy! Many thanks 🙂
Sarah Stubbs
Posted at 10:34h, 03 AprilBeautiful – your version surpasses the original.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:30h, 03 AprilHi Sarah! Thank you for the comment 😉
Susan
Posted at 10:35h, 03 AprilSarah, you’ve made another fabulous dress which looks stunning on you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:30h, 03 AprilThank you, Susan! I’m loving this dress 😉
Tina Spear
Posted at 10:36h, 03 AprilI have the exact same fabric as yours that I purchased a couple of years ago and have been wondering what I would use it for. Now I know. And I love the bottom hem detail….which I will copy!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:31h, 03 AprilPlease copy away, Tina! Look forward to seeing your dress 🙂
Ellen Miller
Posted at 10:38h, 03 AprilI love your version this dress, especially the vertically striped hem piece. It’s always better when you can change up someone else’s design making it your own– and you own this look! Love it!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:35h, 03 AprilThat’s part of the fun of sewing for me. So often my sewing projects are moving targets until the last stitch 😉
Many thanks for your comment, Ellen!
Margene Yeaton
Posted at 10:56h, 03 AprilSpectacular! Going to NY soon and will visit Mood for sure and check out the Saint James fabric. THANK YOU!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:37h, 03 AprilI’m jealous, Margene – Would love to have some time in Mood! Have fun and thanks for the comment 🙂
Donna Strawser
Posted at 11:07h, 03 AprilI love your version, especially the hem and the shoulders!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:37h, 03 AprilThank you, Donna! I was thrilled to find this pattern 🙂
Fern
Posted at 11:21h, 03 AprilPerfection! Stripes can be tricky to match, but you have done an excellent job.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:38h, 03 AprilThank you, Fern! Stripes can be busy – another reason for basting 🙂
Suzanne
Posted at 11:22h, 03 AprilLove that dress on you! I don’t comment much, but it was such a hit that I had to write something. You did a fantastic job recreating that, that Burda pattern was so spot on in the shoulders.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:47h, 03 AprilThank you, Suzanne for your comment! It was an easy recreation after finding the Burda pattern – one of those ‘fun’ sewing projects for sure 🙂
Heather Zinck
Posted at 11:37h, 03 AprilAs always, a lovely result. I particularly like the hem treatment.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:47h, 03 AprilThank you so much, Heather!
Ardy Wolynec
Posted at 11:52h, 03 AprilI can only write as others have. What a great dress and the detail of the vertical stripe at hem completes the look!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:50h, 03 AprilThanks so much, Ardy! It was an easy and fun make 😉
Julia
Posted at 12:15h, 03 AprilDitto the above… love love LOVE your take on the hem!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:51h, 03 AprilThank you, Julia! I thought I was finished until I tried it on to place the hem 😉 Gotta stay flexible 😉
Cathryn Harjung
Posted at 12:30h, 03 AprilFantastic!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:51h, 03 AprilMany thanks, Cathryn!
Cissie Wellons
Posted at 12:37h, 03 AprilLove this on you. Your version is better than the original. Hem is great!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:54h, 03 AprilThank you, Cissie! I really love it when a project surpasses my expectations 😉
Jennifer Shaw
Posted at 12:45h, 03 AprilTruly loving this dress on you! It is fantastic the way you made the border hem. I so enjoy reading your reviews.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:56h, 03 AprilMany thanks, Jennifer! I didn’t plan on the hem until I tried the dress on for the final fitting 😉
Paulla Maxey
Posted at 13:09h, 03 AprilLove this! I don’t normally comment, but could not help myself on this one. The finishing detail at the hem and all the perfectly matched stripes make this exceptional.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:57h, 03 AprilThank you, Paulla for your nice comment! Baste and stay flexible 😉
Lynne Harris
Posted at 13:24h, 03 AprilI would be really interested to know how much your finished dress cost. I know fabric is not cheap and woud be interested in the difference between homemade and retail.
Thank you for another great post.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:00h, 03 AprilHi Lynne!
Many thanks for your comment. Mood Fabrics gave this fabric to me so I did not pay for it, however it is $17.99 a yard and I ordered two yards for my dress. The pattern was approximately $6 and I don’t remember the cost of the thread, but there were no other expenses. Had I bought the fabric the total cost would be approximately $45 and certainly under $50 😉
Alice Elliot
Posted at 13:51h, 03 AprilGreat looking dress! The hem was an inspiration. I love knocking off designer clothes.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:01h, 03 AprilThank you so much, Alice! I too, absolutely love pulling off a designer garment 🙂 🙂
Trudy Anderson
Posted at 14:08h, 03 AprilIt looks stunning especially on your petite figure. I love the hem detail. thanks for inspiring. I have always sewn since I am less than 5′ tall and had and ample bust.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:08h, 03 AprilThank you, Trudy! I wasn’t sure if the border would work at my height, but keeping it to a 1″ band was a good proportion. 😉
Becky Bagwell
Posted at 14:15h, 03 AprilLove the dress! Sew much fun!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:08h, 03 AprilThank you, Becky!!
Jeannie
Posted at 14:22h, 03 AprilSimply perfect! Seeing stripes for summer all over Paris—including the Saint James store down the street. Why is the Burda classified as a Junior? Is that a Petite for them?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:10h, 03 AprilOh to be in Paris!
I don’t have the answer but after checking the measurements I thought the fit would work and it did, thank goodness 🙂
Many thanks for the comment, Jeannie!
Andrea Houlihan
Posted at 15:17h, 03 AprilAbsolutely Stunning! I have been following your blog for a while now and I enjoy every single post, this dress whilst it looks like it was a quick sew looks sew expensive and the fit is perfect on you. Congrats on a lovely dress
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:14h, 03 AprilThank you so much, Andrea! It’s the best of sewing – an easy make and an expensive look!!
Barbara Anderson
Posted at 15:40h, 03 AprilGorgeous, gorgeous , gorgeous , Sarah . Will this become the new McCalls 6886 .?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:15h, 03 AprilThank you, Barbara! I really like this bodice better than McCalls 6886 since no darts are needed!
Melissa
Posted at 15:47h, 03 AprilAbsolutely gorgeous!!! You are inspiring me to start sewing clothes again. I mostly sew baby gifts, etc. Your dog is ADORABLE!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:22h, 03 AprilThank you, Melissa! Our dog, Lulu is an English Cocker and just had her first birthday. I hope you do give garment sewing another try soon 😉
Joyce Love
Posted at 15:54h, 03 AprilAnother knockout! The proportion, fit, and detail of your dress are so much better than the original!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:23h, 03 AprilThank you, Joyce! It all came together for a successful result – Hooray!
Anne
Posted at 16:04h, 03 AprilI don’t know St James but this is lovely and a better fit than that on the model. I love the hem detail.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:30h, 03 AprilHi Anne ~ Saint James is a French company that originally designed nautical clothing. Now the line is somewhat expanded with many stores in the US.. I was really pleased with the result of the dress too 😉
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:30h, 03 April…. and many thanks for your nice comment!
BrittanyE
Posted at 16:10h, 03 AprilLove this! And this is EXACTLY why I sew clothes. You can copy so many high end pieces for a fraction of the price. Also that St. James knit is to die for. I’ve bought it in every color!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:31h, 03 AprilEvery color?? I can see why of course! It is a wonderful fabric – would love to see what you do with the fabrics too! Many thanks for your comment, Brittany!
Karen Helm
Posted at 16:30h, 03 AprilI like yours better than the “original” – the hem detail adds so much! What a fabulous dress and you look lovely in it!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:32h, 03 AprilThank you so much, Karen and lovely to hear from you!
Pat Leonardi
Posted at 16:33h, 03 AprilI also like yours better than the original. Beautiful!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:33h, 03 AprilThank you, Pat!
Beth (SunnyGal Studio)
Posted at 17:14h, 03 Aprilsuper cute – I’m on a stripe kick lately too. The hem detail looks great.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:33h, 03 AprilThanks, Beth!
I’m always on a stripe kick and am happy they are on trend this year 😉
cat golden
Posted at 17:39h, 03 AprilWonderful! I was worried about the pattern fitting a woman since it says “young”
Cat
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:34h, 03 AprilYou and me both, Cat 😉
Wendy M
Posted at 17:59h, 03 AprilGreat pattern and fabric choice. Looks beautiful on you! I too, happen to have this fabric in my stash from mood. Mine is in the reverse colors and feels great. Can you tell me what size you made for yourself. I’m curious how the pattern runs. Did you use the sleeve pattern and just shorten it? THX and it looks beautiful on you. Love the necklace too.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:37h, 03 AprilThank you, Wendy!
I made a size 10 and the pattern ran true to size. I did use the sleeve pattern and shortened it by several inches. The fit was a pleasant surprise as I made no adjustments other than shortening the bodice on the pattern adjustment lines 😉
Kristina
Posted at 20:24h, 03 AprilUtterly stunning. What a great knock off, I agree with one of the comments above, it looks better than the original, the hemband makes it extra special!
Amy jamieson
Posted at 20:43h, 03 AprilOh Sara, I just love your version. And being a tall sewer, I love Burda patterns for their great fit. But it’s great to know that their drafting is spot-on for petite sewers as well. I love that hem band!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:39h, 03 AprilI know tall women have as many fitting issues as short women and its nice to hear Burda serves all sizes! Many thanks for your comment, Amy!
Sandy
Posted at 20:45h, 03 AprilOutstanding. I love your knockoff. I would say that the only way to insure stripes matching is to make it yourself. Love it!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:39h, 03 AprilLOL – I so agree, Sandy! Many thanks 🙂
Bernice
Posted at 21:20h, 03 AprilReally terrific dress! The hem band was a great idea – lovely!
Enjoy your dress.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:42h, 03 AprilThank you Bernice! The hem band wasn’t planned but I’m usually open for extras when sewing 😉
Tomasa
Posted at 21:23h, 03 AprilYour dress is much better than the inspiration photo. It is so on trend in the stripe fabric. And wow, your cute doggie sure has grown up fast! He is so big now!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:43h, 03 AprilThank you so much for the nice comment, Tomasa! Lulu just turned one and is full grown. We went to a birthday party for the litter and she was one of the smaller dogs 😉
Sheri Lewis
Posted at 21:35h, 03 AprilNicely done! Your garments and the fit are very inspiring.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:44h, 03 AprilMany thanks, Sheri!
Maggie ecger
Posted at 22:45h, 03 AprilGreat look!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:58h, 04 AprilThank you, Maggie!!
Cindy Symes
Posted at 07:02h, 04 AprilYour hem band MAKES this dress! The original is just a tshirt dress. This is fashion!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:34h, 04 AprilThank you, Cindy! I agree with you that the hem band transforms the pattern 😉
Sew Jean Margaret
Posted at 07:13h, 04 AprilI love this dress. The shape of the neckline is very flattering on you, and the addition of the vertical stripes at the hemline looks fantastic.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:24h, 04 AprilThank you Jean! If only all sewing projects were this easy and successful 😉
Lisa Gossett
Posted at 08:00h, 04 AprilJust stunning! It looks great on you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:24h, 04 AprilMany thanks, Lisa!
Toocutedobs
Posted at 09:22h, 04 AprilI know. Do you really need another “atta girl” ? But come on! You succeeded and exceeded the original dress. FABULOUS DARLING 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:26h, 04 AprilLOL – One can never have too many ‘atta girls’ 🙂 😉
Many thanks!
Roberta Fahrni
Posted at 11:35h, 04 AprilAwesome – love it!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:26h, 04 AprilThank you, Roberta!
Alice Elliot
Posted at 15:05h, 04 AprilWow! More comments than I’ve ever seen on this one dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:04h, 05 AprilHow true, Alice!
Linda Fisher
Posted at 20:45h, 04 AprilLove your dress! You’ve done really well with it. I don’t often find dresses that I like, but this one will fit me and I think that I will give it a go. I appreciate your sharing of it. thanks, Linda
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:06h, 05 AprilThank you so much, Linda! I am such a dress person and through sewing have found many dress profiles that work for me 🙂 🙂
Rianna Brown
Posted at 04:35h, 05 AprilSo all the way across the ocean here in South Africa, I also have a lovely piece of striped navy and white ponte in my stash…..Sarah your dress is so gorgeous that I just had to have this pattern and rushed off to my local fabric store after work. My initial intention of just a plain t-shirt dress has been superseded by this far more interesting style for striped fabric!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:12h, 05 AprilA good dress pattern can find its way across the globe in a heartbeat! Have fun sewing your stripes and many thanks for the comment, Rianna 🙂
Laureen Larrison
Posted at 07:05h, 05 AprilLove This! and love the hem detail! I had wanted to do something similar but wasn’t sure, now I am! Thanks, I am soooo making this!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:01h, 05 AprilThank you, Laureen! You won’t regret it 😉
Kathy
Posted at 10:48h, 06 AprilI love the drape in that fabric. I am looking for something like that…does this fabric wash well and does it need any ironing at all? I chatted with the Mood Fabric chatline yesterday and asked about washing this specific viscose. The representative couldn’t give me any information except what is on the website (which wasn’t very encouraging). Since you have first-hand experience with it, how do you find this particular fabric holds up to washing and wearing (without much wrinkling)? I really don’t want to dry-clean.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:38h, 07 AprilKathy,
I pre-washed the fabric in the machine but haven’t washed it since. The pre-washing went just fine, but I plan to hand wash the garment in cold water. 😉
Brenda Everett
Posted at 23:25h, 08 AprilI made a dress out of the saint James stripe from fabric.com which I think is the same fabric and it washes beautifully with no wrinkling. Great dress Sarah!
Kathy
Posted at 23:02h, 09 AprilThank you both, Sarah and Brenda, for your replies.
Jan Wright
Posted at 07:41h, 27 AprilYour version is so much cuter!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:32h, 16 MayThank you, Jan!
Sanni
Posted at 22:55h, 14 MayReally nice, especially with the hem detail.
I’m surprised how well the pattern fits without a FBA. That’s what makes me hesitate to sew nautical stripes in jersey, even though I really love St James style stripes. Maybe I’ll give it a try now!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:32h, 16 MayThank you, Sanni! I was impressed with the fit – it’s not always this easy 😉
Alice Meyers
Posted at 15:01h, 29 MayWow – this is so nice I bought the pattern and the fabric from Mood in navy/ecru. Did you pre-wash the fabric? The washing recommends dry cleaning but also suggests test washing a swatch in cold/dry flat. Can you give me any tips on pre-washing this gorgeous fabric? Many thanks, Alice
Peggy Leutheuser
Posted at 18:52h, 03 JuneI just finished making this thanks to you! I used the white and navy stripe, what a fabulous fabric. Came out beautiful just like yours. Love spending $40 instead of $200, keep them coming!
Barbara Cooper
Posted at 08:58h, 08 JuneI’ve been following your blog and I’m always inspired by your style and talent. I’m also a huge Saint James fan. I just bought some striped ponte at my local fabric store, Stone Mountain Fabrics, and was thinking about what pattern to use for a dress. Then I remembered this wonderful dress you made. Thanks so much for again inspiring me, Sarah!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:36h, 10 JuneThank you, Barbara and good luck with your dress!