Monday, March 24, 2014

Anthro Inspired Vogue 1314

I snapped up this fabric from Emma One Sock when it was available (oh a couple of years ago now?) - the same as from the lovely Anthropologie Gathered Hemlock Dress:


I chose Vogue 1314 for the pattern as an easy way to showcase this fun print. I thought about copying the petal skirt, but decided to keep it simple and stick to the pattern. I used a power mesh for the lining. I was happy it came with a pattern lining as I find thin jersey dresses can be a bit on the revealing side for my taste. The lining fit true to size in an 8. I cut an 8 for the bodice neck/sleeves tapering to a 6 at the waist and hips, after reading many reviews of it being huge. Boy did I underestimate the need to make it smaller! After I first completed it, it sat in my closet for months as it looked terrible in it's too large state, and I was too lazy to do the gathering again. When I came back to it I had much more familiarity and comfort with my serger, and used this to do the side gathers which was incredibly easy. I brought the seam in at least 1.5 inches on both sides, in 2 stages, from the start. You need to have a fair bit of negative ease to make the ruching show and not hang flat. I used a twin needle to hem the sleeves and hem. I wore it for the first time to a baby shower after throwing it in a bike pannier for a 20 mile ride - no wrinkles and lots of compliments! I'll call this one a winner. I might consider making it again in a more sedate fabric for work, since I have a shortage of bike-friendly dresses and skirts.