Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: Jumping on the Bandwagon


If you are a part of any sewing online community you've already seen this dress all over Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or blogs. It seems everyone has been making Vogue 9253 this summer!
Thankfully so, because I almost missed out on this pattern. It wasn't that I hated it, I just didn't love it, but that all changed after I saw a few versions of it on actual sewists. It has been so popular that it has been selected for several sewalongs, patterns of the month and even McCall Pattern Company itself is holding a V9253 contest (details here-you still have time).


Though the recommended fabrics include crepe backed satin, rayon challis, broadcloth and lightweight jersey I chose this fun abstract Ikat print ITY knit. Unfortunately, this knit has already sold out. Below are a few other knits I think would work well, a similar Ikat print ITY in gold and black (here), a bold bright leaf print ITY (here) or a navy tie die jersey (here). If you prefer to work with wovens I spotted a pretty floral print with a black background in challis (here), a multicolor outline floral challis (here) or a black and white diamond print challis (here).


This pattern is a bit of a fabric hog needing up to 4-1/8yd for the midi and 5 yards of 60" fabric for the maxi depending on your size. That said the most time consuming part of this dress was cutting out the fabric as the maxi has to be cut out on a single layer to accommodate the full skirt. Perhaps this is why I made the error I did. I cut the bodice piece twice without flipping the pattern piece, meaning that I had two right front bodice pieces instead of a left and right. HEADSLAP! Considering I already squeezed 4-1/8 yards worth of pattern pieces on 3-3/4 yds of fabric (last minute project change) I knew I did not have enough fabric to cut another bodice front.


After weighing my limited options, I ended up sewing two of the larger scraps together and cut the pattern piece from that patchwork of fabric. Sadly the only way the piece would fit was for me to cut the piece crossgrain. I really HATE that I made this error because I really love this dress and this will always bother me. So learn from me and always double check your pattern layout when you are cutting single layer fabric! The only saving grace is this print is so bright and busy that I'm hoping only the most advanced sewists will notice.


As long as you don't make any silly errors like I did this Very Easy Vogue pattern lives up to it's category. The most difficult thing would be the bias binding if you're not familiar with it. I actually omitted this since I was working with a knit and simple folded under the back neck hem. I also omitted the zipper as I can pull the dress over my head. 


My bodice was a little long making the plunging neckline much too low. I'm not sure if the bodice was truly too long for me or if the weight of the ITY pulled it down. I'll find out when I find the perfect challis for this pattern and make it again. Whatever the reason, instead of shortening the bodice I decided to add an 1" wide elastic casing. This solved two problems 1) it shortened the bodice by an inch and 2) it helped to support the weight of the full skirt. I also added belt loops at the side seams and center back to help keep the tie ends in place since I did not sandwich it in the center back seam. I like side loops for sashes anyway.


Many may pass over this dress due to the the cleavage baring neckline but this can be easily modified. You can either cross the front bodice pieces over each other creating a slighty wrapped bodice or you can sew the bodice pieces together at the center front to shorten the deep V.


Aside from my error I am pleased with the dress and can't wait to make the midi version with a challis.

See you in a few weeks! Have you entered to be a contestant for The Fabricista Fashion Challenge? You should! Read all the details here

Comments

  1. Who's going to look at the patching when your boobs are falling out of the dress? A little severe for the Carolina Leagues, don't you think?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very pretty dress. I am glad you shared your boo boo fix. I probably would have shortened the dress and that would have wasted more fabric. Thank you for sharing that idea. I would have to sew up part way on the cleavage because I wouldn't want to show too much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm always glad to share my mistakes and fixes. The neckline of the bodice can always be raised as I stated in the post and another fix it to wear it over a camisole.

      Delete
  3. A lovely, very romantic dress. The full, maxi skirt and sleeves of the dress pattern you chose really showcase nicely the large pattern and lovely colours of the fabric. The dress is very flattering. The mis-cut fix doesn't show at all. Who hasn't had to wrestle with that challenge?! Thanks for an interesting post!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: Celebrating warm weather with Spring sewing!

Hi sewing friends! I don’t know about you but boy, was winter cold and dreary this year! The weather here in the Philadelphia area has been slowly improving, but Spring sure did take her sweet old time to arrive. So by April, I was definitely in the headspace of needing to sew up things that were either bright and cheery or meant for the warmer weather I am very much craving right now. I recently purchased a few SewBexx Patterns so I took them on a test run to create some Spring makes. First on my list was to make a top using this absolutely gorgeous ITY fabric I picked up last year. I had two yards which was enough for a long sleeve shirt. I chose the Olivia top, which is oversized with a drop shoulder, has multiple lengths and a split hem. I think the pattern is intended for heavier fabrics but I was envisioning how lovely this top would look with the drape of ITY knit fabric, and it did not disappoint. It came together for me quickly and was a straight forward sew…and I love the br...

Made By A Fabricista | Chasing Time: My White Rabbit-Inspired Look for Atlanta Frocktails

For this year’s Atlanta Frocktails, I found myself captivated by a character who’s been quietly tugging at my imagination for years—the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. There’s something so relatable about his frantic energy, always checking the time, always running late. While he’s worried about being on time, I’m usually calculating how late I can be and still technically arrive on time. Spoiler: I’m often wrong. It’s a cycle of procrastination and anxiety that I know all too well. So when I imagined my look for Frocktails, I thought—why not honor the White Rabbit? After all, time has been chasing me too. But this look isn’t just about Wonderland whimsy. It’s also deeply inspired by this year’s Met Gala theme, Tailored for You, which includes a focus on Black Dandyism—a celebration of Black elegance, intellect, and expressive style. I’ve been obsessed with this theme since it was announced. As a Black creative, I find it powerful and moving to see style used as a way to reclaim...

Made By A Fabricista: Getting into the Spirit of Summer

I'm not gonna lie y'all, I had a completely different project I wanted to do, but that's gonna take more time, and I wanted something cute, comfy and fun to wear for my birthday on the 19th. When I saw this goldenrod & off white linen jacquard , I thought it looked a bit like the design on a Koroks body, especially Makar from The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker! I started with the bodice from the free Elderberry dress pattern from Mood, but deviated for the skirt, it felt a little plain of a design, and I had scraps of a Korok fabric that I knew would be a nice accent with some cut out pockets. I've made these pockets once before, deciding the cut out was based on aligning with the seam on the bodice for how far in, and as for how low depended on where I wanted the pouch of the pocket to start. From there I cut the visible part of the pocket, making sure to match the curve of the waist and following the line of the side seams of the skirt, as well as cutting a facing to...