Saturday, August 1, 2015

Floral Voile



During the long grueling winter, I dreamed of hot summer days when I would need to have pretty dresses made from lovely fabrics like this voile to keep me cool... well I'm still waiting for summer to hit us full force. It has only been teasing us here and there. Whenever the sun does come out for a moment...I dash outdoors for a few blog pictures. 



I used V1344 for this dress and made it exactly as per the pattern. I think that overall it looks pretty good. There are only a two issues that I may have with it... 1) I find that the voile combined with the batiste lining made this dress a little more bulky than I would have liked. I really wanted to line the voile because the white lining made the colors in the print pop so much more than without. 2) The shoulders can look a little bit Star Trekish... kinda pointy and full for me and my already broad shoulders.


Pattern: Vogue 1344

Fabric used: A lovely cotton print voile.

Instructions: No problems there. 

Changes I made: I didn't make any changes to this dress but next time I may omit the front overlay/ruffle thing, to reduce some bulk.

Repeat worthy: Sure. It makes a great summer dress!


What does a girl with broad shoulders need....gathers on those shoulders...yeah.


And for good measure...put them in the back too... I wonder if I could alter the pattern to remove these? Anyone?


Here I am trying to show you the front overlay. It is a little hard to see in pictures.


All that nit picking...but when I step back to look at it, I'm pleased with the overall look. I should be proud of good workmanship and quality. I do want to be honest with my readers for when they go to make the same pattern... but how far do you have to really go with it?  Why do we pick apart our work so much? I know that I'm not the only one who does this. Time to stop. Time to say...
I made this and it's great!


44 comments:

  1. That is beautiful and it looks terrific on you! Very flattering.

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  2. Lovely print. Re self criticism, I think we all do it - having gone through the process of piecing a garment together we mentally unpick it.

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    1. I'm sure you are exactly right Gail. Sometimes I think that because I have put a lot of work into a garment, it should be perfect. Thanks Gail!

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  3. Gorgeous dress and print! Love those gather at the shoulder. The green belt compliment the dress perfectly :)
    You look great as always!

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  4. The fabric is lovely! I really like the style as well. Such a pretty summer dress.

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    1. Thanks! It's growing on me since seeing it in pictures... :)

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  5. Hi Margo, I made up 3 versions of the In-Houes Diana top. It has shoulder gathers and I have generous shoulders so I wasn't too much in love with the first 'as is' version. You'll find the first 2 versions of the top at sewniptuck.com, the third is due this Wed (Aussie dateline!).

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    1. I had a look and they are great shirts! Thanks.

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  6. Very pretty fabric and a gorgeous dress.

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  7. Beautiful fabric choice for your dress! You made a wonderful match with fabric and pattern! I love your dress!
    See me at www.sewplus.blogspot.com

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  8. ... And it is great! It really doesn't make your shoulders look broad at all. I love the voile. It's another cold day here in Cumbria. I'm thinking it's pointless making any more summer clothes!

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    1. Thanks! I'm still hoping for a warm fall...which is quite possible, so more summer dresses to come!

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  9. This does look great. You can't notice the sleeve shape because the print is so gorgeous.

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  10. Such divine fabric! I'm sure you'll really love wearing it, it's really so pretty. I think you look completely lovely :)

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    1. Thanks Carolyn! It's growing on me. I need to be less critical.

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  11. I'm SOOO bad about picking apart my work. When I go back to it after awhile I'm always like, "this isn't bad at all, why was I so hard on myself about it??" I'm trying to be better about it but we are our own worst enemies at times. I didn't notice anything you had noticed..ie star trek shoulders..lol. I was just like, There that Margo goes again, knocking another one out of the park! :) It's a beautiful dress. The print is gorge.

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    1. Awww thanks Shanni! I love the print too! Maybe that's why I am critical...I wanted perfection to match the print.

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  12. The fabric is really beautiful! I really like the should detail in this pattern, but I bet you could fold it out of your flat pattern if you wanted.

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    1. Oh you're right Michelle! I could fold it out, thanks!

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  13. I have this pattern and have never used it. I am now giving it consideration thanks to your beautiful version. Nice job.

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  14. Very nice Margo! I thought I recognized the fabric:) Very summery! I like the addition of the slim green belt too. I think I'm going to have to do more pre-season sewing! I can't believe it's August already! *Sigh*.

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  15. That lovely print is another Fabricland find, isn't it? I've been pining over it this summer. So pretty. It made a great dress.

    Are you out east by any chance? I know the coast has had a brutally chilly summer this year.

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    1. It is a pretty print and yes I am on the chilly east coast :) Thanks for the comment Andrea!

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    2. It sounds like summer has finally arrived that way--I hope you are getting many chances to wear your new summer dresses!

      I'm going to echo others and say that the shoulders look fine. If I squint, I can see some of that pointing you're talking about--and I think another pull on the gathering threads might fix that too. Personally I appreciate it when bloggers talk about what they like and what they don't like about their projects. It feels more honest.

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  16. This is a gorgeous dress and a beautiful print.

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  17. I think it looks really lovely on you and that floral fabric is gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks Heather, I really like this print too!

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  18. How lovely! I've never thought of your shoulders as broad, but I think the final dress is quite flattering in that area on you! I even like the gathers. I think one of the blessings and curses of sewing is an awareness of all the adjustments one could make to a garment :)

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    1. Thanks Morgan! Your right it is a blessing and a curse! :)

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  19. The dress is gorgeous and you are very talented.

    Your talent shows in your drive for perfection.......
    But what do you like about the construction of the dress? ( I know you adore the fabric. Lol)

    And I don't think the shoulders look like they have escaped from Star Trek at all.

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    1. Lol Janette! I do like the silhouette, the elastic waist makes it an easy dress to pull on.

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  20. Pretty! You and the dress! This is the thing about dresses I love so much...lovely fabric and a timeless silhouette equals pretty! Well played Margo. I hope you're enjoying your summer!

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  21. Such a gorgeous dress and I wouldn't worry about the shoulders they look fine. I also have broad shoulders so this is something I worry about when sewing but that dress looks stunning on you. I think you've done an amazing job with the pattern and I love the fabric! Looks beautifully made as always :)

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  22. What a gorgeous print and it looks lovely on you!

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  23. Broad shoulders are an ASSET. I have 'em, too, for which I'm eternally grateful. Clothes hang beautifully from broad shoulders, and they make a gorgeous V shape with the rest of your body: hips and waist look teeny-tiny. Flaunt those shoulders, Girl! Add gathers, tucks, flounces, pads, whatever. Show those shoulders off, and give thanks for your great genetic gift. You and your dress look great.

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