Thursday, December 20, 2012

Vogue 8827, Drape Collar Wrap Dress




When I was shopping for inspiration last Fall, this Elie Tahari Lauren Long Sleeve Dress caught my eye.  I love the volume in the collar and the wrap shape is ever-appealing.  When Vogue 8827 was issued earlier this year, I was excited to see a pattern for this inspiration piece and bought it right away.

It's quite a fabric hog and I didn't have too many pieces large enough.  I decided to go for this lightweight wool purchased at Guss Woolens in Baltimore ($20 for the piece, about 2 2/3 yard) at a sewing meetup in February of this year. I knew I was taking a risk with the color and the volume.  This could very easily have come out looking like a nightgown.  However, I think my gamble paid off--this is a great dress!

Shorten Crossover for SBA




The only alteration I did to the pattern was a slight Small Bust Adjustment, shortening the front crossover/collar drape a bit by folding some length out.

The back is drafted with a yoke, and then the lower back is voluminous and gathered into the yoke.  I figured that would take care of my broad back needs as it is broad near the base of the shoulderblades.  It does, though I feel a tiny bit of restriction in my arm movements.  Not enough to actually affect my range of motion; I think it's just that I'm so used to unlimited room to move that it feels restricted.

Side

I also did not do a swayback adjustment.  The voluminous back is not really compatible with any center back contour (and adding a CB seam would have made the gathering more difficult).  The tie means that any extra fabric in the back over the swayback can be bloused above where the belt wraps around.  I was most concerned about this gamble, and whether the voluminous back would be sloppy/overwhelming.  I considered changing to a plain back, but decided to give the pattern a shot as drafted, but I think the design is nice in the end.

Part of the reason the pattern requires a huge volume of fabric is that the collar/flounce is meant to be faced  My fabric looks the same from both sides, and I wanted to take advantage of that, as well as maintain the maximum possible drape on the flounce.

Figuring out how to do everything required a bit of thinking about right side/wrong side.  The wrong side will be the right side on the flounce (which extends to become the back collar), so the serger rolled hem needed to be done wrong-side-up, and the back collar seam needs to be sewn wrong sides together.  To make sure I had the proper side, I marked the wrong side of the fabric with a bit of tissue paper.

Trim Off SA and Roll Hem to Waist



First, I trimmed away the seam allowance on the front opening edge above the waist, where the ties would be attached, then did a serger rolled hem above the waist (with the wrong side of the fabric up, as mentioned).

Hand Tack at Rolled Hem for Exact Match








To ensure that the back collar edges would meet perfectly, I hand-tacked the rolled hem edges together, and then stitched the center back collar seam, which is cut in one with the front piece, wrong sides together.

Trim one Seam Allowance




To form the flat fell seam, I trimmed one side of the seam allowance, then folded the full-length side over the short side.  The photo illustrates how the longer seam allowance folds over the shorter.  Everything is actually pressed to the side.






Topstitch Flat Fell



Once it was folded, pressed, and pinned into place, I topstitched close to the folded edge.  For topstitching close to an edge, I find it easier to click the needle over rather than try to run the foot close to the edge.  Here I have it one click over to the left.

The end result looks good from both sides, perfect for a pattern where the wrong side is sometimes the right side.








Press Under Front Opening Edge Below Waist

As drafted, this pattern is sort of a faux wrap dress, or something like that.  At any rate, it's not meant to have ties that go through an opening and wrap around.  There are supposed to be weird small string ties on the inside, and then you wrap an unattached sash around the waist.  The reviewers generally complained that it was difficult to keep the dress closed.  After getting it assembled, I determined there was no discernible reason this could not be a regular wrap dress, so I decided to go the traditional route.

Tie Attachment/Finish




To attach the tie, I stitched it right sides together with the front opening edge, placing it at the notch where the seam allowance still remained (see the photo above showing the rolled-hem finish above the waist).  Then I serger finished the edge, including the tie.  Next, I double-folded and pressed the front opening edge from the tie down, and topstitched the folded under edge in place.

I am pretty proud of how seamlessly (for lack of a better, less literal word!) the front opening edge transitions from the serger rolled edge to the tie and finished lower edge.

Inside Yoke Finish
Clean Finish

Clip to stitch line for corner
Clip to stitching














The back yoke is also meant to be lined.  It was a tight squeeze, but I was able to burrito it for a clean finish.  If you are facing the flounce, I wouldn't risk trying the burrito method.  To keep the back neck stable while supporting the weight of the collar, I interfaced it.

I also put a square of interfacing on the shoulder/neckline corner of the front piece with integrated collar to reinforce.  You have to clip all the way to the stitching to get a nice corner.

Sleeve Hem Lace




The hem is just turned under and machine blind-stitched, but I used hem lace at the sleeves because I didn't have quite enough fabric for a good hem allowance.  It ends up being a nice touch.

Flying Nun

Front


















I was really pleasantly surprised by how cute this came out.  I don't think it has a nightgown vibe, nor is it overwhelming for my frame.  The non-faced collar has a lot of movement and drapes well.  All in all, a very successful project.  I can see it for Spring in a luxurious silk...

All photos are here and the pattern review is here.

32 comments:

T. Sedai said...

It looks like you are having a lot of fun with the flounce! The fit looks nice and I really like the color too.

McVal said...

DEFINITELY not a nightgown! LOVE that lapel!

Trudy said...

Totally gorgeous.

Faye Lewis said...

It's wonderful and the last picture is my favorite!

Karin said...

This is cute! I would never think of using a heavier, tweed like fabric, but it works. I bet the flounces make this a flattering pattern on lots of different people. It would sort of work wether you are trying to plump up a small bust or hide a large one!

Irene said...

So, so pretty! Love that collar!

Uta said...

That's a very chic dress! I love your action pics!

Seraphinalina said...

It is a great dress, not nightgowny at all. I can see how fabric choice would be key for that pattern. All that extra fabric at the bust with a full facing... that can add more padding than needed. Your version looks like so much fun.

Fiona said...

Gorgeous dress, and it really does suit you. Nice work!

Little Hunting Creek said...

great dress- not nightgown- y at all.
I love the drape

Adelaide B said...

I like everything about this dress. You've made some really good choices here.

Anonymous said...

This is so cool! Love that neckline!

badmomgoodmom said...

I think you nailed the proportions. It's fun, but not overwhelming at all. I'm impressed by the clean finishing on the inside as well.

Summer Flies said...

I love this colour on you. It looks like a fabulous dress very elegant.

Vicki said...

Cute dress!!

niddetissus said...

This is gorgeous! I can't wait to see the springtime version!

Mrs. Micawber said...

Not a nightgown vibe at all ... if anything, with your tights and boots, a kind of ultra-feminine and very classy tailored coat-dress effect. It would be lovely in silk, and I think you could even wear it longer and peg the skirt a bit if you liked.

Gailavon said...

Beautiful. I love this type of collar I think I will attempt to buy this pattern.

Elizabeth Made This said...

What a fun collar--it'll be beautiful in silk. It looks like the overlap is generous enough that there's little danger of the wrap gaping open too.

daniKate designs said...

Super cute dress, and love it even more after seeing some of the detail pictures.

gwensews said...

Fabulous! In the photos, it looks like an icy blue color. Elegant, and beautiful.

MushyWear said...

I love how you show inspirational rtw pieces, then show how you create your own look. You did a beautiful job on this! Merry Christmas.

anne k said...

Great job - and tres chic!

Anonymous said...

I just love this dress - everything about it!

Cennetta said...

Happy New Year, Trena! I just love how your dress turned out. Beautiful. This one is on my list as well. It has been a long time since my last visit. So I'll be here for a while.

HeathersSphere said...

Couture and chic looking, Trena! Thank you for your very helpful review. Happy New Year!

Andrea said...

I love this dress and have plans to make it this year hopefully. I like your rendition very much. Happy New Year.

a little sewing said...

wow, I am late to see this post - I cannot tell you how happy I am to see the beautiful dress (which is GORGEOUS in person!!) and the location :)
The necklace really made the outfit, too.
I agree with everyone who says this is a winner, NOT a nightgown.

Elizabeth said...

Love this dress. The fabric is lovely too!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow that's gorgeous-I thought it was a trench. Way to go.

Unknown said...

What an amazing dress. You look so cool. I didn't think I needed any more patterns but I might need this one!

velosews said...

Very chic. I love this style on you and now I need to make one too!