Dresses Vogue 1353, some catching up on unposted sewing

In times of sewing scarcity, I have a number of default habits, the most serious of which is "sew a dress", which is unfortunately usually in direct opposition to my most urgent wardrobe needs at any given moment. However, sewing is not merely a way of filling one's wardrobe requirements.

So, one of my favourite things to sew is a pretty dress that I already know fits. A recipe for satisfaction and success with some practical gains. So here are a couple of versions of Vogue 1353. I have previously outlined the construction of dresses from this pattern here, here and here.

 

I have mixed feelings about this dress. I like it very much, for itself, and the construction was very soothing to me at the time, but I sewed it whilst staying at my mother's house in the wake of a death in our family and I am reminded of this period whenever I wear it. I threw out a different hand made dress  that I wore to the funeral as it was clear to me that this was a bad association, but this particular dress reminds me of family closeness in a time of difficulty. Clearly I invest far too much emotion in my clothing!

The fabric is a quilting cotton with a dark brown background.

I added sleeves to the pattern, self drafted, and piping to the neckline as I have done in previous versions for a neat finish.

I also knit a cardigan, a variation of a Jo Sharp pattern from Knit 3, the eyelet cardigan. I altered the neckline so that it would nicely frame the neckline of my two new dresses and did some short row shaping for bust room. The yarn is 4ply Alpaca Silk Georgette, which is now discontinued, hence my 3/4 lenth sleeves :).

 

Oops, I almost forgot the other Vogue 1353, in white/cream seersucker.

 I don't usually wear white, as I don't feel that the colour suits me, but was invited to a White Christmas Party, where the  instructions were to wear white clothing. My initial thoughts about these instructions were not particularly gracious but I got over this sense of mild affront at being told what to wear (when I didn't already have anything in that colour) by thinking of it as a costume party, and in fact have worn the dress quite frequently since, and it looks very good with my burnt orange and my red cardigans. I was very pleased to be able to adapt the instructions to a more flattering shade by using a cream/white stripe fabric and I must admit also that the visual effect at the party was terrific. It was held at a newly decorated beach house, with blue and white furnishings and white Christmas decorations, and with all the guests in white the party scene looked like an advertising feature. Perhaps this colour themeing is a response to putting photos of social events on social media?

You can see that I find this pattern easy to sew, and the dress comfortable and easy to wear. in fact I have another version hanging in my sewing room waiting for hemming.