I gotta have this.....

'2848'&page=1> I gotta have it.. I gotta make it.. lol.> Seriously, I have never worked with a vogue pattern and I am a mid-of> the road kind in my sewing skills. My mom who sews always steered away> from Vogue and Burda's saying that they were too hard to put together> and had "too many pieces" I am just chalking that up to the fact that> she is a timid person and sticks to what she knows. No adventure in> her. :)

I've done several Belville Sassoon Advanced patterns from Vogue (there's a bronze metallic crinkle satin one on my web site in the Posh Frocks gallery). Usually they are not all that difficult, but you *do* need to take care: some of the pattern shapes and techniques used are closer to couture methods than home sewing, and you may find there is more hand finishing and a lot of hidden structure.

'2848'&page=1> I gotta have it.. I gotta make it.. lol.> Seriously, I have never worked with a vogue pattern and I am a > mid-of

The "Lined dress," Have you made a *lined* dress before?

"...neck ruffle," Are you capable of a fine narrow hem on a *curved* fabric piece?

"...close-fitting boned foundation," Are you experienced with sewing *boning channels*, and getting proper fit with same?

"... contrast front inset with self fabric lacing," Have you every made very narrow self fabric *tubing* (for the lacing)?

"...front slit and drapes, back zipper" Are you comfortable with your *zipper* insertion skills?

"...and sleeves with shaped flounce and ruffles." Yet more narrow hems?

And the recommended fabric is "Chiffon and Georgette" Have you had experience working with those fabrics?

If all your answers are "Yes", then I expect you can manage it. If not, well I advise that you find a professional. Or start with a simpler style, and polish yours skills before you tackle this one.

HTH,

Beverly

Can't say I've ever been a Sassoon fan but I do like a style that makes a statement. This one could end up looking a bit tartish if not handled carefully. Hee hee. But I say.... what the hell! If you like it, give it a go! When you look at the line illustrations at the bottom right, it seems like all it needs is a farthingale to make you ready for a new version of "Dangerous Liaisons". ;)

Well that prolly means that the detailing is difficult and the instructions less than adequate. But, you can always ask here or look some things up on the web too or in books from the library on tailoring. A few recommendations: (1) Be sure to look at the pattern instructions

*in the store* before you buy it. You're allowed. That will help you decide. (2) I suggest NOT making this up in a slippery synthetic fabric. No point in adding that difficulty on top of everything else. (3) Before buying your fabric, you could do a muslin/toile first, to make sure of the fit as well as practicing any new skills you might need. Just buy some cheap muslin and give it a whirl. (4) If you lack several important skills you will need for this pattern, you might consider making a couple other simpler garments that will each require one of the skills you lack.

And finally, the best way to learn is to try. I made my first suit out of an advanced Vogue designer pattern when I was 19. I chose a grey loosely woven wool (lucky for me) and silk crepe for the lining. The suit was also interfaced and underlined, had two piece sleeves with darts & plackets, bound button holes, pieced lapels, shoulder pads, and welts!!! After I got it all home, I thought maybe I had lost my mind. I was in college and working too so it took me some time to get it done. I made one huge error and that was in cutting the smaller of the two main sleeve pieces. I made them both the same (as for two left sleeves) and did not have enough fabric to cut another one!

But I learned more about sewing from this one project that anything else I had previously made. Incredibly, I learned how to fudge the sleeve well enough to make it work so that no one ever noticed. And I learned how to do all those details that I'd never done before and to buy a bit more fabric. I did a lot of ripping and resewing but it all worked out in the end and I wore that suit for at least several years.... and I got lots of compliments too. I also have things I never wore because of errors and imperfections but learned from them. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Good luck!

Phae

Kate, The bronze crinkle satin is just gorgous! You are such a talented lady :) Your sis is lucky to have you to sew for her! Hand finishing I can handle. Its one of the things I am am good at.

Cindy

After reading Beverly and Phae, I have come to the conclusion that "Nothing ventured-nothing gained" Thats how I learn the best. Feet first and learn to swim. :) Luckly I have a few resourses here local if I get stuck, and as always this group that has been wonderful with guidence, advice, and friendship. :)

I am going to go ahead and buy the pattern, and add it to my stash. I am in no hurry, this isnt for any occassion, just sewing for fun so there is no rush. I really need get a lot of other sewing projects out of the way so it would have my undivided attention since this would be the most involved item I have ever done. Plus the fact I am waiting for my serger to get back from being fixed. Lord I cant sew without one! LOL, momma says I am spoiled. Yep I am! LOL, you should heard me griping to my momma about having the hand sew something that I normally do on the serger. The dear just looked at me "I guess you just have to learn to do it the old fashioned way... turn and hem." .

Cindy

Gofor it! And in case, it's not perfect, well you've learned from it and besides how many people are going to get a magnifying glass to examine your work anyway. When you begin, take photos of your progress, and you'll have a record of the job, and also post them so we can see. Emily

I think this is the same pattern my 16 yr. old DD wants for next fall's homecoming dress. I pointed out the advanced designation and hope she will find something else she likes. It is a striking pattern, but I think it is a little too much for a 16 yr old! Good luck with your project.

Nancy

but I think it is a little too much for a 16 yr old!

I have to agree with you Nancy. I couldnt possibly imagine letting one of my girls wear that at their ages.

snipped-for-privacy@swbell.net skrev:

I think that this dress, while striking, is a bit over-the-top for homecoming. I made a similar dress when I was 19 that didn't have the slit up the front or the "peek-a-boo" effect in the front. Maybe you can encourage her to save this pattern for when she is older and in the "grown-up" world?

Erin