"This easy fit stylish cowl dress with interesting twist effect at the waist has a high back collar that hugs the neck and falls into a soft cowl at the front. The twist pleat at the waist makes this dress a fashion garment." from the Style Arc website.
 |
| Style Arc Marita Knit Dress |
This has not turned out as well as I had hoped and it is entirely my own fault for not following the fabric suggestion on the envelope. This pattern is designed for a two way stretch jersey.
I could see that it was a fairly clingy looking design and I thought it would be more flattering in a sturdier fabric so I used an Italian Printed Ponte purchased online from Knitwit. This particular print has been sold out. In hindsight I think this would have worked if I had used one size bigger than my usual size 12.
Even with the help of shape wear, I felt like a stuffed sausage in this dress. Oh, if only I had sized up :( Even the sleeves were skin tight on the forearms.
I couldn't get the front drape/cowl to lay properly. It kept moving and exposing the edge of the facing and required constant fiddling which was very annoying. Although it looks better in the photos than it did when I was wearing it and looking down at it. It would probably lay correctly if the suggested two way stretch jersey had been used.
I think I will try this pattern again in the suggested fabric. It is quite an intriguing design that comes together very quickly. The front twist effect is achieved with a long dart and a tuck...very simple but very clever too. Style Arc suggest that this dress could be sewn in under an hour. Well, it took me a little longer than that...but I am a slow sewer.
The busy print is being kind to me and camouflaging my lumps and bumps fairly well. I think this would have been totally unwearable if I had used a solid colour. Well, I have learned a lesson and will pay more attention to the fabric suggestions in future.
Happy Sewing.
Pretty and nice fit!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words Dorothy DotDot.
DeleteLooks great in the photos. Perhaps you are just not used to wearing things that tight?
ReplyDeleteThanks Vicki. I do agree that the tightness of the dress is not so apparent in the photos, thanks to the busy print distracting the eye.
DeleteIt doesn't look that tight but ultimately you have to feel comfortable. I think it's got loads of potential and the next one will be perfect.
ReplyDeleteThank you Manju. It is a shame that this is uncomfortably tight, but I do like the design and I am keen to have another go at it in a more appropriate fabric.
DeleteSo cute! I really love this!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue!
DeleteVery pretty fabric and it really doesn't look too tight but I know what you mean. If you have to fiddle it isn't right. I'm very partial to StyleArc and have the Kate dress in my sewing queue. I loved your fireworks version.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy. I love the fabric too, and it is a lovely soft ponte. I look forward to seeing your version of the Style Arc Kate dress.
DeleteI think your dress is lovely and doesn't look tight, I like that fabric too. I have seen the Knit wit fabrics on the computer but they have never appealed to me,but that looks great.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Thank you Karen. Sometimes it is difficult to imagine how a certain fabric will look when made up into something. I struggle with this all the time.
DeleteYou really are the StyleArc queen and this is another lovely make. Great fabric and I think the fit is terrific.
ReplyDeleteHa Ha Sue...I am enjoying the Style Arc patterns. Not sure about being the Style Arc queen though. I am planning to try this pattern again, with a more relaxed fit.
DeleteThe dress turned out so nice and it fits you beautifully :) I love the detail, especially the front over.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hana. The front twist is very clever and a lovely detail. It would probably show better in a solid colour.
DeleteWell, you don't look like a stuffed sausage, Jean. In fact, this is one of my favourites! It's very elegant on you - I like that length by the way, and the whole thing looks really comfortable. You're so productive!
ReplyDeleteThank you Clare. It's nice to know I only felt like a stuffed sausage, not actually looked like one. This is such an easy pattern to sew up and it does result in an elegant dress. I will definitely try this again in the suggested fabric type.
DeleteI loved that fabric and nearly ordered it! Looks lovely, I hope you can get some wear out of it.
ReplyDeleteI loved the fabric too Sue, just should have used it with a different pattern. I have worn this dress a couple of times for date night, but the weather is getting a little too warm now. Thanks.
DeleteYou look lovely in your dress, love the colour and the style.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely comment Sharon.
Delete