Sunday 24 April 2016

Style Arc Hedy Designer Dress


The Style Arc Hedy Designer Dress caught my eye the minute it was released, but it wasn't until I saw Lara's version that I was prompted to purchase the pattern. Soon after, I had an unexpected trip to Spotlight during a work trip and purchased this gorgeous Geo Space Dye Jersey in this lovely colour called Rasberry. It's a 50% cotton, 47% polyester and 3% spandex blend and is quite a beefy weight for a jersey. 

Style Arc Hedy Designer Dress

From the Style Arc website: "Hedy is a simple, unstructured shaped dress that has cleverly constructed design lines. The asymmetrical neck pleat drapes to the side seam and creates the hidden pockets and the fabulous cocoon shape. 
The Hedy pattern comes in 2 lengths - a knee-length dress & mid-calf length dress with side splits."


I cut the knee length version in a size 12 without any alteration. I was concerned that the neckline may have been too high at the front but I needn't have worried as it turned out just right.


The pockets are awesome and are cleverly hidden in the seam lines of the dress. I did have to do a bit of unpicking here as I sewed them in back to front on my first attempt. The instructions include several diagrams that are very helpful in the construction of the dress...if you study them properly the first time. Fusible interfacing is added to the pocket edges and provides the necessary stability in this area, essential in a knit fabric. 


I love the cocoon shape of the dress. Not only is it right on trend at the moment, it is also super comfortable and leaves plenty of room for a big lunch.


Most of the construction was done on the overlocker. I chose to finish the neckline off with a facing as it was quite bulky with the neckline pleats and I thought it would be easier than attempting a binding. I am happy with the result and to stop the facing from flipping out I hand stitched it to the various seam allowances around the neckline.


Here's a closer shot of the neckline facing that also shows the fabric in more detail. The fabric was the same on the right and wrong sides, so I had to be super careful that I didn't get them mixed up.


The neckline pleats are an interesting feature, with the seam lines continuing down to the side seams. Creating the pleats was a bit of a head scratching moment for me. I had to read and reread the instructions several times, as well as studying the diagrams and trying several different ways of folding the fabric. Then I had a "light bulb moment" and it became clear. I think I was trying to make it harder than it was.


Here is a better shot of the dress without the accessories. Notice the shoulder seams are towards the front and not directly on the shoulder line...another interesting feature.


With arms outstretched you can see the shape of the dress. As you have probably gathered with this picture heavy post, that I love my new dress. I sewed it up over two week night evenings, finishing it just in time to wear to my sister's surprise 50th Birthday lunch. On completion, I tried it on and asked my hubby's opinion. He's not a fan of "sack dresses" and this one fell into that category. On the morning of my sister's birthday I decided to wear my new dress despite my husband's misgivings. His comment was "you're not wearing that, are you".


I'm so glad I did wear it, as it was comfortable in the car for our three hour drive, it allowed plenty of room for a delicious lunch, and I received several lovely compliments.

Happy Sewing


32 comments:

  1. Beautiful dress. Alas this pattern won't work with my pear shape or I would be all over it. I laughed at your husband's reaction. They are so predictable - mine always responds that my makes are ok but they need to be tighter and shorter lol.

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    1. Thank you C Berry. This pattern is better suited to anyone wanting to camouflage their waistline, or lack of. Husbands certainly have a different viewpoint.

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  2. My husband would have said the same thing! I normally reply with something like "It's called fashion, you know!"
    This pattern didn't make much of an impression but your version has. I also like the idea of a "lunch friendly" dress.
    I haven't come across the jersey at Spotlight yet - it looks good. I'll look out for it next time I go. Since they moved Spotlight in Nowra ten minutes drive south out of town, they aren't making nearly as much out of me!

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    1. Thanks Paola. Husbands can say the darndest things and there's no holding back. Even though I do value his opinion, I usually go with my gut feeling when it comes to fashion. I did hear that Spotlight had relocated in Nowra. What is the new store like? Any improvements?

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  3. My word this is so similar to the GBSB drapey dress, but I think I like yours better, the pockets seem to be less bulky. I love the fabric and the colour on you. Another Stylearc triumph for you!

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    1. Thanks so much Sue. I do love this style and the pockets are a great success.

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  4. Lovely version. Love the colour.

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    1. Thanks Vicki. The fabric was a very lucky find at Spotlight.

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  5. The perfect lunch dress and those pockets are amazing.

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    1. Thankyou Sharon. The pockets are very cleverly designed and function perfectly.

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  6. OOh, what a pretty dress - I love it. And all sorts would go underneath - tights and layers of warm clothing if need be. It's very striking, so wear it whatever your husband says! My floral pants got a similar reaction - a bit bold, aren't they, he said. Priceless.

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    1. Husbands! They have no idea when it comes to fashion. Thanks so much for your lovely comment Sarah Liz and I do have plans of wearing it through the colder months with a few layers underneath.

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  7. I love that dress on you. The colour is so pretty. It's a very interesting style and I love the pockets, of course, and the pleated neckline, but I wasn't drawn to this pattern until now. I know my husband wouldn't like it either. :)

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    1. If you like this style Kathy, you should make it. I think it would look lovely on you...don't worry too much about what your husband thinks. Husbands are generally not known for their great fashion sense. Thanks for your lovely comments.

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  8. Pretty dress! Love the details and colour. Those pockets and pleats are very interesting :) Happy Sewing!

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  9. Beautiful dress, your husband is wrong. This looks so stylish.

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    1. Thanks Louise. It's encouraging to know that others see it as a stylish dress and not a shapeless sack.

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  10. Ha, men. What do they know?! This design looks really cool and it's very flattering on you. You chose the perfect fabric and it hangs beautifully. It looks like it will be cosy when the weather cools down too.

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    1. Certainly not much about fashion, thats for sure. Thanks for your lovely comments Megan.

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  11. Love the design features of this dress, particularly the pleats. Great colour fabric too - I love a beefy jersey!

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    1. Thanks Emma. I love a beefy jersey too...so nice to sew and so cosy to wear.

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  12. Lovely colour on you and such an interesting shape of a dress. Glad to see you like it so much.

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  13. I really like your fabric choice for your dress. I'm very tempted by the pattern, however I have a similar one from the Great British Sewing Bee book so maybe I should try that first. The Style Arc one is slightly more drapey though, which I prefer. And I even have a black ready to wear version from Cos but I wouldn't mind making one in a colour like yours.

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    1. Thanks Needle and Ted. I love this fabric too and only wish I could find some more.

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  14. Hi Jean! Sorry for the late comment. I came across the Hedy recently and love your version of the dress. Quick question about fit - did you size up or down at all from your usual?

    My figure is an extremely exaggerated hourglass, and I'm quite tall (I'm a weightlifter). I can rarely cut the same size from top to bottom, and I've never worked with Style Arc. If I were to go with my waist measurement, I'd be a size 12; if I go by my hip measurement, it would be a 20! And if I used my upper arm girth, it would size up to a 26 :-/

    Between the arm and hip, were either of them loose enough that you felt you could have sized down and still been comfortable? And/or in the bust, do you think an oversized version would feel shapeless?

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    1. Thank you adwoa. I made my usual size 12. I have a fairly rectangular shaped figure with bust and hips very similar measurements and my waist only marginally smaller. My waist measurement would be larger than a size 12. As you can see, the dress is quite roomy especially through the waist line. I would go by your bust and hip measurements to choose the appropriate size. I think this style may not be very flattering on your figure as your small waistline would be hidden and your larger areas emphasised. This dress is quite short and you may need to lengthen it if you are very tall. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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    2. Thanks for the insights! I looked again and for the hip sizes I'm closer to an 18 than a 20, so just bought that one. I live in the San Francisco bay area, and often in the cold wet winters I am less interest in waist accentuation than I am in staying warm :)

      Also, I own a lot of things that call attention to my figure and have recently wanted to feel a bit more cocooned/indeed able to have large lunches. This pattern seemed like a good one to try in that direction! I'll have to lengthen it 4-5 inches, but other than that the wearable muslin seems pretty straightforward. Thanks again!

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  15. Hi Jean Margaret - I have just bought that pattern and a good silk crepe fabric - I was planning to leave out the pockets to take the casual look off it as it is for a wedding- what do you think ? Siobhàn

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