Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Vogue 8810 shirtdress and the endless summer...


It's almost fall and even I dream of autumn and those wonderful garment options that come with it. But I love Florida, and I'm content to sew for the climate. I will wear this cute dress all year 'round.

Yes, it's another maxi. But just pretend that it's short, if that's your thing :-) My first version of V8810 was short, but not worn a lot. For couple years I sewed things that interested me, but didn't particularly suit my lifestyle or needs. Since then I've become attached to maxi dresses - coverage, comfort, and a tropical vibe.

This pattern has lots of options - and a very pretty neckline that's a nice alternative to the collared look:



Butterfly on my shoulder...


I didn't use any of the skirt options - the full skirt is a 3/4 circle, just impossible when taken to a maxi length. And I don't do straight skirts! Instead, I used the skirt from the M6552 caftan dress. It's a slightly gathered A-line and fits this Vogue pattern, and me, really well.

A back view, slightly blurred because I had my camera set to take multiple shots. Not being a model, I moved...


Aside from the skirt replacement, I really didn't make a lot of changes. Mostly tweaks:

  • The armhole has facings, but I opted for self-fabric bias binding. I think it works and looks better.
  • As I noted in my first version, the shoulder on the pattern flies out and up a little bit. It's easy to correct once the bodice is put together at sides and shoulders.

From the pattern envelope

  • The dress is drafted with a blouson bodice. But that only works if the waist is pulled in enough to make it blouse. No way is this girl going to cinch in anything! Easily adjusted - I just took 5/8" off the length of the bodice - no extra fabric, no blousing...
  • And being picky - I used a large snap inside the front band, at the waistline, instead of a button.


Speaking of buttons, I used 12 on this dress! And once again, I have to mention my addiction to Frixion pens. I can write all over my garment (in this case, the front band when marking buttonholes), and the ink disappears if my iron gets anywhere close.


Twelve buttons were enough - I left a little interest at the bottom of the dress :-)



Fabric:  Susan Winget Botanical Buzz Butterfly Verbage [siccotton calico from JoAnns

Parting shot: An indulgence I'd rather have than ice cream - passion fruit (maracuya) preserves on homemade biscuits.


Tchau! Coco

18 comments:

  1. Your dress takes this pattern to a whole level! Beautiful fabric and it looks so good on you.

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    1. Donna, thank you so much! I'm really excited about how it turned out. I want another one!

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  2. This is beautiful! And I love the fabric.

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  3. The fabric so wonderful, I can't believe it's from Joann's! It really does look cool and comfortable on. mmmm, those biscuits...

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  4. What a fun fabric! Looks great & I really like that neckline.

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  5. Glad you are enjoying your biscuits and passion fruit! Oh, and the dress is perfect!

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  6. Lovely! The line art in the pattern didn't really call to me but I love the proportions on yours.

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  7. Oh, I love it! The neckline is so pretty as is the fabric. The skirt is a goldilocks! Just right.

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  8. Love it! I also love maxi dresses for the summer, wearing one right now...
    Your choice of fabric is very becoming on you!

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  9. This is a fab dress and looks great on, I love it as a maxi and the fact there's no collar, may need to give this one a try.

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  10. Super cute Coco! It looks just great on you and the fabric is the perfect choice!

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  11. Super cute Coco! It looks just great on you and the fabric is the perfect choice!

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  12. Cute dress. I love those frixion pens too but be careful as they left white bleach-like marks when I marked the front fly on a pair of cotton sateen pants. I think I'm also the only person alive who can't get washable crayola markers to wash out. It's a real pain as I don't have the patience for thread tracing.

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  14. wow, this is so pretty on you, and makes me want to sew myself a girly dress. Alas, I am making a shirt for the husband. :-)

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I love it that you came by...and thank you for your comments! Coco