Retro Print Vogue

I did promise there would be another!  After a few cooler days,

which is the norm in spring, I hatched a plan to add sleeves to Vogue 1250.  I had in my mind a replacement pattern for my favourite New Look 6071 which I am really quite sick of but love all at the same time.  I felt sleeves of some sort would be a little more work appropriate than sleeveless and also mean't I could go without a cardigan in my highly air conditioned office.  Because the cotton lycra I chose was a more wintery print, it leant itself to longer sleeves.  I bought the fabric for $3 per metre, a couple of years ago at Fabric Vision, so wasn't overly concerned if my plan was an epic fail, but it had to be done!

To achieve the desired effect, and a better fit, I added 1.5cm to the front and back neck and 1cm to the armhole openings.  This mean't the shoulder seam was longer and the neck opening smaller.  I cut out all of the pieces on the grain this time because I felt that a knit dress on the bias was overkill and used more fabric than necessary.  I added 1cm  swimwear elastic to the back neck and stitched it between the back and the lining without stretching to add some stability.  I topstitched the back neck once the dress was finished and the elastic is incased in the topstitching.  For the sleeves, I used the pattern from New Look 6071 which just proves that there really is no getting away from this pattern completely.  Like my first version of this dress I shortened the bodice by 1cm but this time, I let out the skirt side seams as much as I could and just overlocked the front and back together without removing any fabric at the hips in the process.  I then ran the bodice in at the sides by 1cm also on each panel.  I eased the skirt onto the bodice, and hey presto I had a dress with a fit I am extremely happy with!

My verdict....I have a new favourite dress!  There will be another, perhaps with cap sleeves next time!