I am on holidays from work this week...so lots of time for sewing. I have quite a big sewing project on the go at the moment (more about that soon), but I felt like a change of pace and thought I would try the Kristin Dress by Style Arc as an instant gratification project.
KRISTIN DRESS: This new fashionable knit dress is so versatile, shorten it and wear it with leggings or wear it as a dress with your boots or ballet flats. Put your own creativity in by adding contrast pockets, why not try leather, this is the latest new look!
I made the longer version with the full length sleeves. As you may have noticed, I did make some alterations to the pattern. I couldn't be bothered putting a zip in the back so I folded back the seam allowance and cut the back piece on the fold, eliminating the back seam. I wasn't keen on the crew neck so I redrafted the neckline and drafted some new neck facings to match. Increasing the neck opening also eliminated the need for a zip. I can easily pull this over my head.
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| New neckline on original pattern pieces. |
I used a Dark Charcoal Marle Ponte De Roma purchased online from Lincraft. I cut a straight size 12 and didn't make any alterations regarding size or length. I am happy with the length and the sleeve length was perfect for me. The fit was quite roomy and a little "sack like". Maybe some long darts in the back and some more shaping in the side seams would improve the shape? I might think on that a while.
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| Front with pockets |
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| Back |
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| Side |
Here are some more details:
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| Neckline facings top stitched. |
To top stitch the neckline facing, I machine basted around the edge of the facing from the wrong side. This gave me a guide line to follow when I top stitched from the right side. I top stitched a few millimetres away from the basting stitch so that I could easily remove the basting stitches afterwards.
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| Top stitching on pockets and sleeve hem |
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| All seams were finished with my overlocker. |
I have styled my Kristin Dress the same as the pattern envelope, with a scarf tied in a bow. For cooler weather it would look great with a big thick woolly scarf and you could layer it over another top for extra warmth. In warmer weather it would look great styled with a long statement necklace. I think the Kristin Dress is really a blank canvas, especially when made up in a neutral coloured fabric. Just the addition of a colourful scarf can really dress it up. It's very comfortable to wear and hides any of those unwanted lumps and bumps.
Happy Sewing
I love these types of dresses. They look stylish and yet are so comfortable. This looks great on you! I like how you changed the neckline.
ReplyDeleteThanks Angela for your kind comments. I am not a fan of high necklines and I am pleased with my changes.
DeleteGreat changes - I can't wear high necklines either so I love your changes.
ReplyDeleteThanks BeaJay. This was an easy change to make, so well worth it.
DeleteI bet this pattern makes a great canvas to add your own unique details - like colour blocking or the contrast pockets you suggest in leather.It would probably make a nice top as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nothy Lane. I agree, this would be a great basic to try out colour blocking, etc.
DeleteI think you will be reaching for this dress over and over. It looks so comfy! And you are right...this will be the perfect dress to interpret in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteThanks sewmanju. This is definitely a nice comfy dress that lends itself to many interpretations. By the way, I love reading your blog.
DeleteI really like this dress on you. And I didn't know Lincraft had an online store, so I will be checking this out too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paola. Apparently your can only purchase whole metre lengths of fabric from the Lincraft Online Store. I tried to order 1.5m of the blue ponti, but I only received 1 metre. I checked my invoice and I had only been charged for 1 metre. I just had another look at the website and tried ordering 1.5 metres, but it keeps reverting to 1 m at the checkout. This is very annoying, but the order I placed arrived fairly quickly, so no complaints there.
DeleteThis looks really nice, love the fabric choice and the styling. Am yet to try Style Arc, I guess cos I live in the UK but have heard good things about the pattern and fitting. I had a similar problem with the Laurel tho in terms of it turning out a bit sack - like.
ReplyDeleteThanks Clare. I thoroughly recommend that you give Style Arc patterns a try. I have had quite a bit of success with them.
ReplyDeleteYou look so chic in your version of the Kristen dress! Your neckline flatters you wonderfully. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you HeathersSphere. I am glad that I changed the neckline from the original pattern, which was too high and very unflattering on me. Sometimes just the smallest changes can make all the difference.
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