23 May There Ain’t No Cure for the Summertime Blues
What can I say? I’m in a blue and white phase…. and I wish I had a suntan.
Greetings from Edisto Beach 🙂
Believe it or not I’ve been on the lookout for a simple shift dress with cut-in shoulders for woven fabrics for a long time. While that seems like an easy find I’ve never seen exactly what I had a mind. When I came across Vogue’s newly released top pattern, 9109 I knew the addition of a few more inches would bring about the dress I envisioned.
As you can tell I added more than a few inches – more like 24!
I had no intention of making a silk charmeuse maxi dress but when I draped the fabric over my dress form, I saw water, waves and oceans. The design is perfect for the beach even if the fabric isn’t.
Here it is at home,
but I think it enjoys blowing around in the ocean breeze.
From the pattern illustration below you can see the top is fitted through the lower bust gradually increasing to a slightly looser fit through the hips.
Since my fabric is lightweight, I chose to continue the a-line cut over a straight drop below the hips. To keep the dress casual, I left the sides split from just above the knee down, and I kept the dress at ankle-length so I could wear flats.
In addition to the custom-fit cup sizes, the selling point on this pattern was the center back seam allowing me more control over fitting my narrow back.
I sewed the fabric with the shiny side on the inside of the dress to give it the appearance of a silk twill vs. charmeuse. Turning the shiny side inside made it no more (or less) slippery to sew, and as you can see, the color is very clear on the matte side of the fabric.
Three factors generally determine whether I reccomend a pattern:
1. Alterations involved. At 5’2″ I’m bound to make alterations.
2. Construction process
3. Final result – was it worth it? Do I like it and will I wear it?
All three get a thumbs up as my only alterations were made in the bodice and overall length. After cutting the fabric which was tricky due to its design, the dress went together quickly and hassle free. This is the third Vogue pattern I’ve sewn in a row with great success – Go Vogue Go!
…and now…. Let the Summer Begin! 🙂
Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend!
Jeannie Crockett
Posted at 12:52h, 23 MayThis is absolutely the PERFECT beach dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:14h, 25 MayThank you, Jeannie! I think I’m going to love it 🙂
Margaret
Posted at 12:57h, 23 MayLove it — nice and simple and great for summer!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:14h, 25 MayMany thanks, Margaret! I felt the fabric dictated a simple design.
Eleanor Schreyer
Posted at 13:04h, 23 MayThank you for the pattern idea! I wanted a maxi but knits on my body are not the “kindest” I feel…a woven is much more flattering … Leaving more to the imagination. Great use of this pattern. Your dress is beautiful .
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:16h, 25 MayThank you, Eleanor! I’ve seen so many lovely RTW woven maxis, and this pattern just seemed right 😉
Alice Elliot
Posted at 13:24h, 23 MayWe’ve had nothing but clouds and cold weather here in Oakland, CA. I’m so jealous of beach weather!!! I love your idea of sewing the fabric with the matte side out. And then you have that exquisite slinkiness against your skin!! Great dress. I may copy this idea.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:16h, 25 MayMany thanks, Alice 🙂 The sikh side does feel very nice again my skin – an added bonus!
JS
Posted at 13:39h, 23 MayVery nice.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:17h, 25 MayMany thanks, JS 😉
Kim Hood
Posted at 13:43h, 23 MayWhat a great dress. I’m sure you will enjoy it all summer.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:18h, 25 MayThank you, Kim! I hope to 😉
Fiona M
Posted at 13:46h, 23 MayWhat a lovely, lovely dress! Gorgeous colours on you. Envious of your beautiful beach too. Have a fabulous summer 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:19h, 25 MayThank you, Fiona! Nice clear colors have always been my friend. Best wishes for a wonderful summer to you too 🙂
Myra
Posted at 14:09h, 23 MayReally great dress Sarah!! You’re absolutely correct, it’s for beach or other wear. (I really like it on the beach thought!) By the way, I did happen to get my hands on some of that Blue and white fabric from your last post, thank you!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:20h, 25 MayThank you so much, Myra! Do you just love the neoprene? So glad you scored a piece of that great fabric 😉
Cindy Aymes
Posted at 15:30h, 23 MayIt’s absolutely a,aging to me that you could see a beach dress in that top pattern! I still have a lot to learn! Love the dress and the beach photos!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:21h, 25 MayWell, like I said I have been looking for a dress pattern with that exact design 😉 Many thanks for your comment, Cindy !!
Cindy Aymes
Posted at 15:30h, 23 MayOops, typing on my small device here – that’s supposed to be AMAZING!! Haha!
Karon Scott
Posted at 16:02h, 23 MayI love woven fabrics and making it into a Maxi was a beautiful idea! Such an amazing transformation from top to dress.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:22h, 25 MayThank you so much, Karon!
Denise Dooley
Posted at 16:31h, 23 MayWow, you can feel the breeze in this one. Great photos and such a stylish dress. Is this a washable silk?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:23h, 25 MayMany thanks, Denise! Umm….. no it’s not washable silk, another reason it may not be the greatest fabric choice, but I couldn’t resist 😉
Lisa Watson
Posted at 16:49h, 23 MayOh my goodness! that dress is absolutely adorable! I love so much that you took a pattern and adapted it to your vision; I love when I can do that and enjoy the outcome. This is a definite winner for you Sarah, it looks wonderful on you. 😀
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:24h, 25 MayThank you very much, Lisa! The pattern and dress are definitely keepers 🙂
marnie rieber
Posted at 17:58h, 23 MayBeautiful. I just purchased this pattern to do the same thing. Marnie
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:24h, 25 MayOh good! I do hope you will show me your version 🙂
Peace Thyme
Posted at 21:36h, 23 MayLovely summer frock. Well, a beachy frock. Nice job. Beautiful fabric.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:25h, 25 MayBeachy frock, indeed 😉 Thank you, Peace Thyme!
Marla Cooprider
Posted at 21:46h, 23 MayI love your blog! I would not have thought to lengthen a top pattern to make a maxi dress but am inspired now! Love your dress and the fabric! I have started using Vogue patterns more and enjoy working with them!
I am only five feet tall and so have to alter everything. I have narrow shoulders and upper back as well. So I can relate to what you write about alterations for petites and narrow back.
Marla
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:28h, 25 MayThank you so much, Marla! One thing I have found about using the same pattern designer/company is that alterations become easier and more predictable. It’s also easier to recognize which patterns will work for me. 😉
Laura Casey
Posted at 21:49h, 23 MayThis pattern just arrived at my door….but what you did with this little pattern is amazing…brilliant idea. I think I’ll play with this pattern tomorrow.
Good job, but I’ve learned to expect nothing less…… 🙂
laura
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:29h, 25 MayYou’ll have fun with this one, Laura! Maybe your trip is coming up soon or did you just get back?
Shirley
Posted at 02:30h, 24 MayThis dress is really lovely. I would not have thought to add inches to turn this top into a dress. It turned out amazing! I have added this pattern to my wish list in hopes that I may one day duplicate what you have done!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:30h, 25 MayThank you, Shirley! It will be an easy alteration 😉
Irene
Posted at 05:57h, 24 MayBeautiful dress! Nice to see that somewhere there is beach weather.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:31h, 25 MayThank you, Irene! We’ve been lucky with the weather this week, thank goodness 😉
Becky Bagwell
Posted at 07:18h, 24 MayLove it!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:31h, 25 MayThank you, Becky!
kathie Bennett
Posted at 08:14h, 24 MayFun dress!!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:31h, 25 MayExtremely!! Many thanks, Kathie 🙂
Eileen
Posted at 08:21h, 24 MaySo pretty!
Eileen
Posted at 09:38h, 25 MayOh, now I have a question for you, Sarah. Did you purchase bias tape or make your own?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:34h, 25 MayEileen,
I made my own bias tape. It’s not difficult to make and, in my opinion, looks far better than the purchased tape.
Many thanks for your comment 🙂
Cissie wellons
Posted at 09:07h, 24 MayGreat use of one of my favorite new patterns. Using the wrong side of the charmeuse puts the silky side next to the body — an added benefit!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:34h, 25 MayThank you, Cissie! Your lovely bird top was my inspiration to buy the pattern, you know 🙂 🙂
Marguerite
Posted at 11:11h, 24 MayBeautiful! I’m your height and have avoided the maxi dresses ( both now and way back in the 70s!) but may give them a whirl. I too like the cut in armhole style and have found many in vintage patterns on Etsy and EBay. Always a treat to see what you are sewing!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:35h, 25 MayThank you, Marguerite! I find maxis are becoming on us short ladies if we keep it simple 😉 Hope you’ll give one a try!
Gayle
Posted at 11:40h, 24 MayBeautiful fabric Sarah! Wherever did you find it? Amazing job on matching the pattern too!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:38h, 25 MayThank you, Gayle! I bought this fabric from EmmaOneSock nearly four years ago when I started sewing again 🙂
Carolyn
Posted at 12:12h, 24 MayLovely dress and perfect for the beach!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:38h, 25 MayMany thanks, Carolyn!
Teresa Davey
Posted at 15:35h, 24 MayThe perfect dress for the beach. The simplicity of the design really shows off that great print. Really like this on you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:39h, 25 MayThank you, Teresa! I thought keeping it simple was definitely the way to showcase the fabric 😉
Barbara Carlon
Posted at 17:38h, 24 MayI admire your vision from the simple top to a lovely maxi dress. It turned out beautifully.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:39h, 25 MayThank you so much, Barbara!
Bernadette O'Brien
Posted at 23:57h, 24 MayLove it!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:39h, 25 MayMany thanks, Bernadette!
SuziB
Posted at 00:56h, 25 MayYou have made an absolutely magnificent dress! Love everything about it – & am impressed with your vision of creating it from that pattern. I may steal your idea & make a street length version suitable for tossing on in hot weather to go the grocery store!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:41h, 25 MayThank you, Suzi. Go ahead and steal away – LOL! I think this pattern has an Eileen Fisher feeling to it and would make a great street length dress 🙂
Sew, Jean Margaret
Posted at 07:56h, 25 MayLove how you have turned this pattern into the perfect beach maxi. The fabric is perfect too.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:41h, 25 MayMany thanks, Jean! It was a piece of cake and I may do another one 🙂
Julie Starr
Posted at 08:33h, 25 MayAhhh…I feel cooler just resting my eyes on this dress! I loved Cissie’s top from this pattern and never thought of lengthening it to a maxi. How smart of you! The fabric couldn’t be more perfect. Enjoy the beach and our spectacular weather.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:42h, 25 MayThank you so much, Julie! The weather has been ideal 🙂
Linda
Posted at 10:51h, 25 MayPretty dress. Beautiful scenery. They look great together!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:43h, 25 MayLOL! If only life was always this good 😉 Many thanks, Linda.
Sharon kane
Posted at 09:03h, 26 MayAnother winner! I like the woven maxi too (vs the knit). Thanks for the pattern suggestion and tips to redesign from short to long.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:19h, 01 JuneMany thanks, Sharon!! This was such an easy pattern to alter, but it is an equally good top pattern too 🙂
Manju
Posted at 11:44h, 26 MayVery clever to lengthen this top. Looks beautiful on you and perfect for summer.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:19h, 01 JuneThank you, Manju!
Ginger
Posted at 12:11h, 30 MayThis is so pretty! I love the shoulders- really nice cut, as you say! I love this dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:21h, 01 JuneThank you, Ginger! The shoulders are cut just right for me – would look great on you too 🙂
Karen
Posted at 16:31h, 31 MayHi Sarah,
What type of seams did you use with the charmeuse?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:23h, 01 JuneKaren,
For the side and shoulder seams I stitched with a straight seam and finished in the serger. For the back seam I finished the edges in the serger and pressed open after stitching 🙂