Pattern: Vogue 1225, a Tracy Reese design
Fabric: 3.5 yards of poly/lycra knit, from ebay seller BestOnlineFabrics
Notions: Elastic
Shoes: Steve Madden
Notes: I have now officially become one of those people who wear spring clothes at the first hint of warmth. It almost got to 60 today – it was glorious! These shoes are hideously uncomfortable. I don’t like Steve Madden shoes at all. You would think flats couldn’t be that bad, but somehow these are. But! They match the dress, so I had to wear them. And yes, I’m still trying out the glasses (they will go back tomorrow.) These are the Coltons.
Since I had such good luck with the last Tracy Reese design I sewed, I decided to whip this one up this weekend. I made a size 8, but a six would have been better if it were offered. I usually take an 8 in vogue patterns, so this might run just a touch big. The Vogue website claims this dress is easy, but I would really question that! There is a ton of gathering involved in this dress, including five tedious rows on each shoulder (that I’m still not certain if I should remove or not… I’m leaning towards not.) Other techniques needed for this dress: baby hemming, making casings and using elastic, and an awful lot of markings for a knit. Getting the front facing to sit well was also challenging. The pattern called for pressing in 1/4″ on each side of the tie, and then edgestitching it closed. Um… on a knit? I don’t think so. I just sewed it the way you normally would a tie, and then turned it right side out with a skewer (I must get one of those tube turner sets!)
As you can see, there is a lot of skirt in this dress. The pattern called for making a petticoat (crinoline) and sewing it into the dress. I couldn’t see doing that. If I want a full skirt, I will use a separate crinoline. I don’t go to that trouble for one dress (this is also why I wear slips rather than line most things.) This skirt is actually larger than a circle, I think. I like the way it looks without the crinoline – not as poofy as the envelope photo. Please note that the waist seam has 7/8″ seam allowances. I concentrated the skirt gathers in the front (in the pattern they go towards the sides a bit more) to make up for the lack of crinoline.
The back neck ties are not elasticized, and they do not go around to the front. It’s not clear from the pattern photo (or mine, probably!) but there is an open slit under the ties. It does not show a bra strap. However, even with the ties fully tightened, I felt that I needed to wear a camisole under the dress for front coverage. You could easily add a little modesty panel there to avoid the camisole, but I like how it looks this way.
I haven’t hemmed the bottom edge – it will need a narrow hem, and I’m not looking forward to that. I want to make sure it doesn’t stretch significantly before I hem it. The skirt is quite heavy, but I think the thick elastic in the waist holds it up well. The waist sits a bit high on me (and I am short waisted) so you may wish to test that!
I am very pleased with this project. I can’t believe I nearly gave up on it – you can’t even see the place I was upset about the pattern match (it’s at center back, should you wish to check.) The pattern is recommended, but be aware that some of the instructions won’t work for a poly knit (there is a lot of “press this amount under” going on, and that doesn’t work.) You may also wish to adjust the front bustline, as it is quite low. Other than that, it’s an easy, cool spring dress. I wore it all day today, and it was so comfortable!
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
That sounds like a challenging make, but it looks fabulous. So interested to see and hear how this one has worked up. I thought it looked a fun design, but I’m not sure that amount of gathered fabric around my curves would be uber-flattering. It looks gorgeous on you, however. And your choice of patterned fabric is inspired – brings a really unusual twist to what’s already a creative design. Well done you!
That is super cute!
wow! The dress looks great, but LOOKS much simpler than it sounds like it actually was! Gah! I have no idea what I’m going to do when I actually start trying to sew real garments. lol
It looks fabulous! I love the fabric. I liked the design when I first saw it but wasn’t so sure about all the gathering. I’m glad to see your version is so nice.
Perfect fabric choice for this pattern! The design proportions of this dress are lovely, but I thought that it would be heavy or bulky with all that gathered fabric. Yours looks very groovy, let us know how it is to wear.
I think the glasses look great…I noticed them before the dress.
I love this dress. You did a great job. I’m tempted to try it as it looks very breastfeeding friendly and I am having a baby this spring.
I had a feeling this dress had a lot of steps. lad you stuck to it as yours looks fabulous and easy breezy!
What a cute dress! I love the fabric you chose too, jewel tones really suit you.
This is a beautiful dress. Congrats on getting through it. How many hours do you think it took total?
So Cute! I have that pattern and I thought it might be that cute but I was having trouble visualizing it. It looks great on you.
I love this dress on you! It looks perfectly spring-ish.
Lovely dress! I had no idea how big that skirt was – yowza! I’m like you – temps hit 40s today and I just had to sew something spring – like.
I love this dress as it is – great fabric. Wonder if wearing with a crinoline would open up the fabric and show it off even more? There is a really nice crinoline tutorial at fabricateandmira.wordpress.com, if you are ever looking to make one.
I love these colors on you. This dress is flattering on you and how nice it is so comfortable too. I think all that gathering would drive me crazy. Way to go!
Congrats on finishing this cool dress. You’ll love it more when it heats up. BTW, I’m now addicted to 6pm.com – Love it.
Wow! I love your dress. I could see making this up in 10 different fabrics to take me through spring and summer and fall. Love it!
Great! I really like your version and the fabric choice.
Your notes are very useful as I have just received my version of the pattern and I plan on working on it (eventually…)
Cute dress! I love the style and fit of this one. The fabric you picked is great. I can’t wait to make this one for Spring:)
I love the fabric…it makes me think of the tye dye jerseys at Vogue Fabrics in Evanston, IL. As for the shoes, I’m sorry to hear they hurt. I’ll be wearing some kind of flats after I lose the walking boot on my right leg. I’m not a flats person, so I’m not sure I’m looking forward to it…but doctor’s orders!
Very pretty, springy dress. It has a (good) artsy vibe.
Another example in which I like the blogger’s finished product a lot more than the envelope picture. I mean, what’s up with those sad droopy pockets?! Yours looks great!
very nice. Great summer dress for sure!
Just love the design.
I absolutely adore your pigger! And yes, the dress is lovely too.
Gail D.
I like yor dress way better than the one shown on the vogue pattern envelope….did you make the pockets? Were they an option? I had the pattern in my hand, but wasn’t sold. After seeing yours, I think it is worth the try. Thanks!
Beautiful! Your fabric is stunning!
This pattern is on my stash and yours is really an inspiration for me. I love your fabric choice, the colour, the tie-dye-effect and I think the dress looks really good on you.
Your dress is very nicely done! I searched for a blog on this pattern because, like you, I was taken aback by the detail of this dress. The gathers and structure were difficult to work with on the knit fabric I chose, but once I was committed I had to finish because it is a very pretty dress and you can see that as soon as you finish the bodice.
A very light weight knit is really needed here, something of a light weight jersey or cotton knit. Anything TOO heavy in polyester is going to make this job difficult. You need your fabric to be as bulk free as possible in order to get the full effect of the drapes and style. On the petticoat…yes I am adding it… for the ower tier the guide shows you are only connecting 3 pieces but the cutting instructions say cut 4 on the fold…confused..I could even be just a bit tired at this point, so I took a break to see what the blogs are saying.
I left off the pockets, they were too “cute” for my personal style. I think you can go either way depending on the fabric you decide to work with and your personal preference.
Thanks for sharing, it is very valuable!