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Thursday 7 June 2018

Vogue 9293 Dresses

This pattern is from the Vogue Easy Options range and has a number of different skirt and sleeve options to create different looks.  I used the pattern to make not one, but two cocktail dresses for two events I went to recently!

https://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v9293




The first was a formal black tie dinner and I didn't want to wear the full length ballgown I made last year (see post here). I did however have a lot of that same brocade fabric left.  Originally I was thinking of making a full skirted ballgown, plus there was a separate piece on the bolt they gave me - I probably still have enough for a jacket or pencil skirt, but I'm kind of done with this fabric for now!

Brocade is not one of the recommended fabrics (seersucker, linen, challis, broadcloth) for this dress, but I thought it would work and chose view A, the short sleeved, full skirted version.




I left off the pockets and also lowered the neckline a bit.  I just did this by folding the edge over on my dressform and ended up creating a small v at the back neckline too, just to get it to sit nicely.  The original neckline is finished with bias tape, but I decided to create a facing piece to match my new neckline which I then interfaced to give it a bit more structure in my brocade fabric.

I sewed the side seams last as is my preference so I can fine tune the fit in the bodice.  The hems were all finished invisibly by hand which was faster than I expected as the texture of the brocade hides everything.



Despite the small risk taken with completely ignoring the fabric recommendations, I'm really happy with my cocktail dress.  It was comfortable to wear and great for dancing - sorry no photographic evidence!





Just a week later I had another, smaller dinner to go to which was Oscars themed and I decided it was time for a new LBD cocktail dress in my wardrobe.  We had visitors that week too so with limited time I just pulled out this pattern again and made View D, the short sleeved, pencil skirted version.



I used a black silk dupion which I underlined with black silk organza and basically made in the exact same way as the first version.  I always use this underlining method when sewing with dupion, it gives it a bit more body and means that no stitching is visible on the outside as all the hems can be hand stitched to the underlining.





Surely now I have a dress for just about any formal occasion!?  I love both of these dresses and I think this is a great pattern, although you may want to check if the neckline is also too high for you.

Maybe one of these days I will get around to making a version in one of the recommended fabrics!


24 comments:

  1. they are both fantastic, I LOVE that red dress, brocade is such an inspired choice for the pattern.

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  2. Both are really beautiful dresses.

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  3. That red dress is gorgeous!

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  4. Both of these are gorgeous but the red one makes my heart sing!

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  5. You have such a beautiful collection of dresses, and I am always impressed at how you seem to disappear into your sewing space merely events before an event and emerge with a beautiful dress! You must be so focused whilst you are sewing.

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  6. Lucky you to get to wear such beautiful dresses. And clever you to be able to make them. Both gorgeous!!

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  7. Allison, you out did yourself -- simply gorgeous dresses!

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  8. It may not have specified brocade, but it's absolutely perfect for it. An elegant dress in a fabulous pattern and color. The black dress is so different no one would ever suspect that it was the same pattern.

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  9. Both of them turned out beautiful.

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  10. I really love both of these! And the high(ish) neck maybe lends itself to a pendant or other piece of bold jewelry. Really like them!

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  11. Lovely! Amazing how different that pattern can look with different fabric choices.

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  12. Two beautiful dresses and each so different from the other. Your fabric choices were spot on. The more we sew and experience a variety of fabrics the more our creative world expands. You have the experience and confidence to know what will work no matter what the pattern suggests.

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  13. Wow, these are both beautiful! I'm going to get this pattern right away:)

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  14. The red dress is stunning, you look beautiful :-)

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  15. Both dresses look so beautiful, especially the red one.

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  16. I recently purchased this pattern and have been waiting for the inspiration to tackle it - thanks!

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  17. These look great! The red in particular looks really fabulous. Great combination of fabric and pattern!

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  18. AllisonC, you look fantastic! Love both dresses.

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  19. Wow!The red brocade is simply stunning. You impeccable tailoring inspires me to raise my sewing standard. I nominated you for The Mystery Blogger Award – https://saturdaynightstitch.com/2018/07/13/the-mystery-bloogger-award/comment-page-1/#comment-9108

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  20. WHat a beautiful rendition of this pattern. The black dress is gorgeous.

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  21. Both a lovely, and you my dear, wear red so well. So rich and gorgeous. Please could you explain the underlining method you used for the black dress? or atleast a link of some sort that could help me, I'm struggling with lining .

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