Tuesday 20 August 2013

The Kristin Dress

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


Stylish jersey slip on dress with raglan sleeve dress

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.

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.


Front with pockets


Back


Side


 Here are some more details:


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.

Top stitching on pockets and sleeve hem


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

14 comments:

  1. 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.

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    1. Thanks Angela for your kind comments. I am not a fan of high necklines and I am pleased with my changes.

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  2. Great changes - I can't wear high necklines either so I love your changes.

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    1. Thanks BeaJay. This was an easy change to make, so well worth it.

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  3. I 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.

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    1. Thanks Nothy Lane. I agree, this would be a great basic to try out colour blocking, etc.

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  4. I 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.

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    1. Thanks sewmanju. This is definitely a nice comfy dress that lends itself to many interpretations. By the way, I love reading your blog.

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  5. I really like this dress on you. And I didn't know Lincraft had an online store, so I will be checking this out too.

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    1. Thanks 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.

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  6. This 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.

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  7. Thanks Clare. I thoroughly recommend that you give Style Arc patterns a try. I have had quite a bit of success with them.

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  8. You look so chic in your version of the Kristen dress! Your neckline flatters you wonderfully. :-)

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    1. Thank 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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