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Friday 20 December 2013

Vogue 1369 Kay Unger dress

Another doubleknit dress - this time a Vogue pattern by Kay Unger, one of the last batch of new patterns.  This has restored my faith in Vogue designer patterns - or at least in their sizing.  I made my usual size 12 graduating to a 14 at the hips and didn't need to make any alterations to the fit at all.  The suggested fabrics are crepe, crepe back satin and jersey, by which I think they mean something like a doubleknit that has a bit of weight to it.

Vogue 1369
Making it in a knit meant that I could eliminate the back zipper, but I swapped out the back pieces for the plain lining pieces because I wasn't sure that the ruching would work in my fabric.  I'm not even sure it works on the Vogue version either, I quite like the ruching at the back waist, but those folds going into the skirt look a bit strange.  I totally forgot to take photos of the back of my dress, but it has a centre seam and 2 darts to shape the back. 



I really liked the asymmetric detail on the front of the dress, the instructions were good and it was quite easy to make.  





I still don't have any lining suitable for a knit dress so once again I left the dress unlined.  I did however need to cut an undercollar piece in lining so I just used self fabric instead.  This was a mistake as it did mean I had a lot of layers of quite thick fabric in the collar area which would have looked too bulky if they were serged.  I couldn't bring myself to leave them unfinished even though the fabric won't fray - once I had trimmed and clipped the seams it just looked a bit messy.  So I used bias strips of silk and bound the raw edges at the neck and front band, partly by machine and partly by hand.  I also used the same treatment on the armscyes making sure no stitches show on the right side of the dress.  Honestly it would have been quicker to go out and buy some lining or to unpick the collar and redo the undercollar with silk lining - no stretch is needed in that area and it won't show - so don't do what I did!


Anyway I am pleased with how this turned out, I think it looks just like the envelope promises and having it in a doubleknit makes it a really comfortable cocktail dress.  I also plan to wear it with boots and a jacket for more casual (and colder!) occasions.  I haven't seen many reviews of this pattern, but I do recommend it, I can see myself making it again.





34 comments:

  1. your dress looks great. I think the back is the reason this pattern didn't make it onto my wishlist but now reading your post and seeing your pics, that might change...

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  2. This looks stunning on you! The colour and the cut...well done!

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  3. Yes, it's very nice on you. I love the colour! I thought the pleats in the back was meant to be there until your comments and i looked closer. I can see why you'd make this again.

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  5. The dress looks great on you. I haven't seen the pattern before but think I'll have to get it

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  6. Gorgeous, now I must really get this pattern for myself!!

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  7. Love your version. There is something very strange about Vogues version for sure!

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  8. this is lovely! It fits you beautifully & looks incredible.

    I was looking at this dress pattern when it came out, but I was worried it would be really difficult to assemble. So glad to hear that it goes together well. :)

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  9. very pretty! That color looks amazing on you!

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  10. What a lovely dress. I must add this pattern to my wish list. Well done!

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  11. What a lovely dress. I must add this pattern to my wish list. Well done!

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  12. Coming out of lurkdom to say that this dress is extremely flattering on you and is one of the loveliest items I've seen in a long time. Kudos on a job well done.

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  13. that looks fantastic and I agree with you re: your changes on the back (which perhaps is a bit fussy and overdesigned) love that color on you.

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  14. Beautiful dress. Hadn't noticed this pattern but it's lovely.

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  15. Allison - I love the front of this dress and thought that back ruching looked janky so glad that you solved that by using darts instead. Which is a subtle hint asking to see the back of this amazing dress...IF you get a chance! Love, love the fabric choice too - pretty and comfortable what more can you ask for in a cocktail dress!

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  16. I had completely overlooked this pattern.
    You look incredible in this. The colour is really pretty, and I´m so glad about what you said about the sizes!

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  17. Oh my goodness, your dress looks so many many miles better than the envelope, and more than that, it looks way more chic on you than I would have guessed from seeing it flat. That must mean that you've fitted it very well, and it's beautifully made. Very inspirational!

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  18. I like the dress and the color. You look very nice in it.

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  19. Nice! Love the color and the style. I just bought this pattern last week, but I meant to stash it for a while, until I could find the right fabric. Seeing your version makes me want to move it up my to-sew list though!

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  20. Really nice dress on you! Love the asymmetrical look!

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  21. Hi,love the dress/pattern. The only problem I could foresee is if dress is unlined, won't it "ride up" when you walk??

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  22. This style is really good on you. Suits your shape perfectly. The colour also. I would say a success all round. Have a good Christmas.

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  23. Yep, passed this one up because of the back gathers. LOVE it on you, though, especially since it contains a flat lining piece.

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  24. Looks gorgeous on you. Great color!

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  25. love how flattering this is on you!
    I have also been curious about how this looked made up with the funny ruching in the back. If I saw it RTW on a stranger I would think the seam pulled. You have a great solution.

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  26. The dress looks gorgeous on you, the fit is spot on and the color looks fantastic on you!

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  27. Wow, I really love this dress!

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  28. Gosh, you look wonderful and you picked the loveliest fabric to show off those great design lines. I'm on the fence about the back ruching but love love love the front.

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  29. This dress looks amazing on you. I would never have chosen this dress from the look on the packet but now you have opened my eyes. Beautiful fit!

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  30. I purchased this pattern and will probably complete the back just as you did.

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  31. It's gorgeous! I love that neckline, and your colour choice is perfect.

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  32. Happy New Year, Allison. The dress is beautiful and thank you for the helpful tips. I like the ruching at the waist too and noted the drag lines in the skirt. Your alternative back is great and provide another option. I sink binding is a great way to finish the dress if you want to leave it unlined.

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  33. This is a fabulous dress and so flattering on you. Happy new year!

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