Tuesday 13 December 2016

Style Arc Kate Dress in Leopard Print

Style Arc Kate Dress
This is my third Style Arc Kate Dress. You might say I like this style. A classic wrap dress is flattering on most figures and they always makes me feel all feminine and girly when I wear my Kate dresses. You can see the others here and here.

Style Arc Kate Dress
I did simplify the pattern a little, by eliminating the tucks in the front by cutting the side without the tucks as a pair. I found in my first version that sewing the tucks was tricky in a slippery poly knit and they were not really necessary.


I added 3 cm of length to the bodice area to lower the waistline and kept the length (including the extra 3 cm). The waist ties were lengthened so that they would be long enough to go right around my waist and tie at the front.


I was planning to have short sleeves but after cutting them out I realised that they were a little too close fitting for short sleeves. I will try short sleeves next time, adding some extra width to the pattern before cutting out. I kinda like how these "just above the elbow" length sleeves turned out anyway, and they are fine for my cold air conditioned office at work.


The fabric is a poly/spandex knit in a leopard print, from Spotlight in Queanbeyan and they still have some available, or they did last Friday when I called in. (I love it when I have to drive to Canberra for a work meeting, and the route goes right past Spotlight in Queanbeyan. I usually take full advantage.)


The neckline was finished off with some self fabric binding turned to the inside and secured with a twin needle. I used Bondaweb on all the hems which eliminated skipped stitches and tunnelling when I sewed them with a twin needle. It makes such a difference when working with these slinky poly knits. 


I'm pretty happy with my new dress and I have worn it to work twice already.


Happy Sewing

23 comments:

  1. I enjoy wearing my Kates too - they are feminine but comfy and easy to wear. I feel a third Kate coming up. Very handy that Spotlight is on the way home too. How can you not stop?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think there will be more Kates in my sewing future too, Paola. I only have online fabric shopping at home, so a chance to visit Spotlight is not to be missed. It's so much better when you can see and touch the fabric before buying.

      Delete
  2. This is so flattering and I love that you plan Spotlight shopping around work meetings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Megan. Got to make the most of any fabric shopping opportunities.

      Delete
  3. I love everything about this dress. The fabric, the length and the length of the sleeves are perfect! I love to combine work meetings and fabric shopping too. On Wednesday mornings there's a wonderful fabric market in a nearby town. I try to schedule all my appointments in that town on Wednesdays :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for your lovely comment Marianne. Never let a fabric shopping opportunity go by.

      Delete
  4. Very nice! I have some of that fabric in my stash! No doubt from Spotlight!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Vicki. You can never have too much animal print in your wardrobe.

      Delete
  5. This is an absolute classic. Wonderful dress, no wonder you have worn it twice already. And very flattering on you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful wrap dress and I like your idea of removing the tucks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sharon. I found the tucks very fiddly to sew and difficult to get a neat result. Much easier and neater to eliminate them.

      Delete
  7. I love your Kate dress JM. I think that the sleeve length is very flattering too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you OzAnnie. I am happy with how the sleeves turned out too.

      Delete
  8. Beautiful fit, I also love those sleeves - they look great. And I adore this fabric! This is a very flattering dress on you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks so much Melwyk. It has become my new favourite dress.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love jacking off to these pics

    ReplyDelete