Made by a Fabricista: A Modern Day DIY Kimono By Way of Vogue 9253

[This dress was made for and modeled my daughter Mori]

When Fabric Mart put this Floral Print Shantung - Maggy London fabric on the website I grabbed it up quick! [And it's all gone, sorry peeps] I do have some alternatives and remember that Fabric Mart is always adding new fabrics to their collections on a daily basis. The Challis prints they have are great options for this pattern.

Can we talk about this pattern? I'm not really a Vogue Pattern type of gal but this  Vogue 9253 was "WOW" I have seen several versions of this dress and those who are not open to the barely there front cover-up can modify the front for more coverage.

Both lengths are fabulous and the maxi length just hit the right place for Mori to wear flat sandals. Mori is 5.7" and if she had to wear heels with this dress that would be a deal breaker because she likes her maxi to hit the ground with heels on. So remember to make sure the maxi is the correct length for your taste.

Some of my fabric choices:

Orange Striated Stripe Shantung 

Black-White Tropical Leaves Sateen

Diamond & Flower Pattern Corded Lace - Maggy London [This pattern would make a great swim suit cover-up using this fabric!]

I knew that I wanted to add trim to the collar and sleeves, to bring in another pattern for this floral print. I bought a few trims to choose from and the black and white stripe trim won. 

Now I don't know if you've made this dress or know anybody who has made it but let me tell you, the back collar instructions were giving me a slight headache. [mostly this was all my own doing, you know sewing the garment without really paying attention to the instructions until you've hit a bump in the road] I think I know where I messed up but there was no turning back. [honestly correcting my mistake would not have been a big deal but I was just going to make my way work.]

The instructions called for you to attach the front and back pieces together and then add your bias tape to the back collar area. I pressed open one side of my bias tape and pinned it to the back collar piece that extended beyond the front collar piece, attached it, trimmed it and folded it under. And because I did this before attaching my front to the back I had to made sure my edges matched perfectly at the shoulder where the front met the back.

Now that the front was sewn to the back I wanted to add the trim before I closed up the sides. I measured up four inches from the end of the sleeve and this was the placement for the trim, make sure that when you close the sleeve the trim matches up at your seam.

The rest of the construction can be done with your eyes closed....well not literally but you get what I'm saying! Thanks for joining me again with another one of my creations!

   

        

 

   

Until Next time!

Michelle @ www.thatblackchic.com