This time, its the Kobe dress!

 Here's the dress pattern I couldn't stop thinking about!  This is the Kobe Dress by Papercut Patterns.  I recently made the top and just love it so I knew the dress would be soon to follow. 

I used an embroidered chiffon by Telio.  I knew from making the top that the fabric had to be light and floaty.  This Telio fabric did the trick!  I love how unusual it is.

And here is the showstopper part of the dress...the back!

See what I mean?  That drape is unbelievable!

This is a closer view.  You can see the bias tape made from the fabric I used to finish off the front and back neckline.

You can see my bra level as well.  I raised the back neckline by about 1 inch so I wouldn't expose my bra to the world.  I was also concerned this fabric may stretch a bit out of shape so I used black SewkeysE tape.  It worked like a charm!

Here's the dress without the belt.  I will wear this belted as I believe it looks better on me belted.

I love a lot about this dress!  It's so floaty and this fabric is cool!  

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Kobe top and dress pattern.  Another winning pattern style from a fabulous indy company outside of the US called Papercut Patterns.  These are fabulous!  The drafting is excellent and the styles are fresh and CUTE!  

Check out the back of this dress: 

 

How gorgeous is that?  Here is the image of the line drawing as well.  What is deceiving about this pattern is the gorgeous image above.  It looks all cinched at the waist, right?  Well that's due to the thin belt she's wearing to hold all that volume in.  

And, this dress is made from a sheer fabric so it appears you get the cute little slip dress pattern as well.  Well you don't and Papercut doesn't say mention it in the description.  They even have a disclaimer on their site stating this.  It is so important to read the pattern description.  I knew it wouldn't be included.  

So fitting...I used Designer Joi's method and am very happy with the results.  However, this pattern doesn't have the apex marked so what do you do?  I googled it and here's a link I found: 

Finding the apex by Designer Joi

I thought this method worked perfectly!  

With a boxy garment such as this, it is important it doesn't look sloppy.  For me, that means it fits through the shoulders, and front/back necklines.  You may have other preferences, but that's what I like.  

I've had this fabric in my stash for a while and I believe it is a challis.  It has lovely drape and feels so awesome on your skin.  

I do believe it is a poly blend, not a pure poly and definitely not a silk or cotton. 

 I know, I use a lot of white, black, and beige, but they are so easy to work with!  

I will be making the dress.  

I added self-bias binding to the back hemline as this fabric is so floaty and I wanted to keep it in place.

What I didn't think about is that the back is so much longer than the front so naturally it will be heavier in the back.  

I am proud of the bias binding on the front and back.  Look at how nice it looks!

I used a covered button on the back overlap.  I also raised the back neckline as in my muslin, my bra showed and I don't care how cute your bra is or how nice your back-skin is, having your bra back show isn't a good look.

So I love my new top!  I think I will enjoy it with black skinny jeans as much as I like it with my white skinny jeans.

Thanks for reading and stopping by!

Sue

Fall sewing with McCall's 7381

It took me a while to jump on the maxi bandwagon, but now that I'm there, I simply don't want to jump off.  Maxis are so comfortable!  While I usually make knit ones, this time I made one in this amazing peachskin fabric from Fabric Mart.  This fabric was from a famous dress designer and it sold out quickly!  I love the colors. 

See what I mean?  These colors are so lovely for cooler months!  

Actually, these colors are lovely all the time.

Here is the pattern I used: 

This pattern is designed as a pullover dress that's loose-fitting, with a lined bodice, shoulder pleats, raised front waist, front pleating, and elasticized back waist narrow hem and front snap closing.  There are length and sleeve variations.  

As you can see, I made the maxi version with the sleeves of C, and left off the front tie.  

I still need to polish the fit on this.  I did make a muslin and I have those movement lines on the side bodice that I couldn't get rid of.

I added buttons to the center front wrap portion and actually, this has enough ease that you don't need to snaps at all.  

This dress is LONG!  For reference, I am 5'7" and I took this up 2 inches instead of the recommended 5/8".  I plan on wearing heels with this.  

Another modification I made was to eliminate the bodice lining.  I created 2" wide bias bands, attached them, and then folded to the inside and topstitched down.

I plan on wearing this a lot!  Thanks for reading!

Sue