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Friday 9 September 2016

Style Arc Pamela Dress

This Style Arc Pamela dress pattern is designed for fabrics that are "woven with a slight stretch component or silk".  However I do love a knit dress and am always on the lookout for new patterns to try and there just aren't enough!  I had a sudden thought to try this in a crazy printed knit and so I cut it out before I got sensible and changed my mind.

Style Arc Pamela Dress

Honestly I wasn't 100% sure this would work so I didn't spend much time thinking about the best way to make this in jersey and just dived in, except for cutting the centre back on a fold and leaving off the zipper.

So, weirdly my dress has all in one neck/armhole facings and also facing strips to finish the armholes on top of the facing!  Next time I will probably just use the neck facings for the sleeved version.  I didn't interface the facings either because I wanted to keep the stretch so they really aren't doing anything other than finishing off the edges a bit.  Basically the construction of my dress is a bit haphazard and definitely unconventional, but it works.

I did decide that darts in a lightweight knit were a step too far so I left those off.  This means that I only really have the option of wrapping the ties to the back otherwise it is a bit shapeless, but that's ok.



I found the instructions great until I got to attaching the collar, maybe I skipped over it or got mixed up between dress and facing pieces, but it seemed that the shoulder seam got sewn twice and the centre back collar seam not at all. Since I was going off piste anyway I just did my own thing.  It's not a difficult dress to put together, just remember that Style Arc uses different seam allowances to the Big 4.

My dress is a 10 although I inadvertently added a bit extra in the back when I cut that piece on the fold - I'm so used to using Burda with no seam allowances - but this is where I most need a bit of extra room so it worked out well.  I think the armholes may be a little low which may be down to my slightly bonkers fabric choice and finishing technique.








I'm surprised and pleased with how much I like the finished dress and I will definitely be making this again and trying out the sleeved version too.  I can also see it with a maxified or flared skirt.  Maybe I'll even make it in the suggested fabric one day.....







19 comments:

  1. Can't really see the front tie drape in this print but still love the dress & the fabric. I live vicariously through you for easy breezy sewing, my own being so torturous most of the time!

    BTW, any tips on what fiber/fabric are good for hot humid weather? I read somewhere that silk is actually not so great for that type of climate, that linen & rayon may be even better than cotton. What do you mostly use?

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  3. Very pretty! I love that fun print, and this looks so flattering.

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  4. Sometimes the best garments are the ones where we go our own way! This is lovely, especially the print you used!

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  5. You look cool and breezy in this lovely new dress. I like the shaping from the ties and think it might be worthwhile trying to morph some of my twist tops into a similar dress.

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  6. Fantastic, crazy print sure, but it's perfect for this and you look fabulous.

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  7. I love the dress also! And it looks terrific on you! Love the fabric ... are there too many "loves" in this comment?

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  8. This dress looks perfectly proportioned and suits you well. It is so long since I made a knit dress, but you always look so great in yours, that I am thinking I might need one soon.

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  9. That's amazing fabric. Funny how it's often the makes that don't go entirely to plan that come out the best.

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  10. This dress looks fab on you, it works so well in a knit and I bet it's so much more comfy than a woven version.

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  11. I really love how the print works in the back. Hip Hip Hooray for Haphazard sewing that just works out!

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  12. I love your fabric choice with this style of dress. It just works. I have looked through your website and everything you have made looks ready-made. It fits well too. If you were my teacher, I would be happy. I would visit you wherever you are. Great job.

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  13. Love the fabric! Love the dress! And who said that instructions are to be followed?

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  14. Beautiful print and the dress looks fabulous.

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  15. Ahhh yours is fabulous! Funny, I made this dress a few summers ago and I was wearing it so much on hot days that I just made up another one recently that's going up on the blog this week. We're style twins yet again! ☺️

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  16. Great print for this. I overlooked this pattern, but maybe I need to look at it again.

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  17. You are a great ambassador for Style Arc. Love the bold graphic print.

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  18. Interesting dress pattern. Love your fabric choice. The combo makes a great looking dress. I still haven't tried style arc patterns yet.

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