Pattern: Vogue 8667, view B

Fabric: Charcoal ponte knit from Joann (one of their new seasonal collections, this fabric is still available.)

Notes:

When I was 14 years old or so, leopard print enjoyed a comeback.  I recall at one point having leopard shoes, a leopard purse, and a leopard coat all at the same time.  That must have been a whole lot of look!  I’ve dialed it back since then… one animal print item at a time.  I like this one because it’s gray, which honestly is much better on me that brown.

This was my favorite dress in the Vogue fall patterns this year.  I was attracted to the rolled bias collar and the skirt options.  I found this ponte knit at Joann and thought it would make a great fabric for this dress (which calls for lightweight doubleknits, among other choices.)  Technically, this isn’t a pattern for knits.  It isn’t sized for knits, so I had a to make a few adjustments (this ponte is stretchier than some doubleknits.)  I graded it down a size (to a size 6.)  I usually wear an 8 in Vogue patterns, but because I was using a knit I wanted it to be more snug.

I omitted the back zipper (no need in a knit!) and the lining, making this a really quick project.  I think I was missing part of the instructions in my pattern – it contained no hemming info, and only the barest information on attaching the collar.  I used a sewing book from the 1960s to tell me how to do a bias rolled collar, although I suppose I’m not absolutely certain that it’s the way it’s supposed to be.  I slip stitched the collar down on the inside.  Because this is a knit, the collar has a bit more of a cowl-neckline look.  I’m not generally a huge cowlneck fan, as I think they make my shoulders look broad, but this one is pretty small, and I think it’s pretty.

Most of this dress was constructed using a narrow zig-zag stitch.  My serger doesn’t like double-knits so much, and the machine works fine.  I even machine hemmed it (and you can’t see it – yay!)  I think I would like this with a belt, but I haven’t found the right one yet.

I’d like to make it again using a woven, so that I can get the collar to stand up a bit.  It’s an excellent pattern, and I recommend it – I’m looking forward to wearing it in the fall (well, I’m wearing it today, but I think it looks more like an early fall dress.)