Wednesday, 1 March 2017

Style Arc Mila Designer Dress

Style Arc Mila Designer Dress
This is a stylish design that is also quick and easy to sew. Style Arc's description: "Use your creativity to make this dress your own.  The flattering bodice seam allows you to colour block or use different textures to suit your individual style. This is a simple pull on dress with a slight cocoon shape that is so simple to make but will look amazing once done." I can't argue with that.
Style Arc Mila Designer Dress
If you are experiencing deja vue, you are right. I have used the left over knit from my Style Arc Rae Tunic for the bodice in my Style Arc Mila Designer Dress. The skirt is a crepe knit in a coordinating blue that I picked up from Spotlight. The colours didn't photograph exactly right and I assure you the skirt is blue and not purple as it appears in the photos.

Made up in a knit, this dress really is like wearing secret pyjamas. The subtle cocoon shape skims over the body, hiding any lumps and bumps and is just so comfortable.

I cut my usual size 12 with no alterations except for using a knit binding for the neckline instead of the facings provided. The length is a little longer than I usually wear but it got the hubby's tick of approval so I didn't shorten it.

I used my new cover stitch to finish off the hems, even changing the thread to blue for the skirt hem. I find if I position the raw edge directly under the stitching it goes all wonky because one needle is stitching through two layers of fabric plus the Bondaweb, and the other needle is only stitching through one layer of fabric. Any suggestions for how to overcome this issue would be most welcome.

I used a single knit binding on the neckline. This is fast becoming my favourite neckline finish for knits as it is less bulky than other bindings and always turns out so neat.

The trickiest part of sewing this dress is getting a nice sharp point at the centre front. I struggled to achieve this in the knit fabric as it all seemed to stretch out to a gentle curve when I sewed this seam. I imagine it would be more precise in a woven fabric. I top stitched the seam allowance up towards the bodice as this is the direction it wanted to lay. The crepe was quite heavy and this extra line of stitching gave it a little more support.

I'm pretty happy with how this dress turned out. It is a great pattern to experiment with some colour blocking too.

 Happy Sewing

 Jean
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20 comments:

  1. LynneSews1 March 2017 at 20:56

    I really love this dress. The colours, the fit, the style is perfect on you. Am trying to resis copying it, but I know the shape would suit me half as well...

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret3 March 2017 at 21:22

      Thanks so much Lynne. This style does suit my figure well as it's nice and loose around the waist where I tend to carry that extra weight.

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  2. Vicki2 March 2017 at 06:35

    Very nice dress and the coverstitch looks so neat.

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret3 March 2017 at 21:23

      Thanks Vicki. I would like to get the cover stitch centred over the raw edge though.

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  3. Paola2 March 2017 at 08:07

    It's very satisfying to use up fabric isn't it? And you did a good job on the angled seam, especially considering you were working with a knit.
    Your coverstitching has got me googling "coverstitch machines". It's my birthday in May, after all...

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret3 March 2017 at 21:29

      Thanks Paola. The cover stitch is quite new to me and I am still very much a learner. I received mine as a Christmas gift but I haven't spent a lot of time using it yet. An upcoming birthday sounds like a perfect reason to justify buying one.

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  4. KathyS2 March 2017 at 12:45

    Your dress looks gorgeous, Jean. The colour shows up as a beautiful cobalt blue on my computer. My favourite blue! The style is really nice too, another one for the list!

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret3 March 2017 at 21:31

      The blue is a lovely cobalt colour in real life. Thanks for your lovely comment Kathy. This style would suit you beautifully.

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  5. Sarah Liz2 March 2017 at 15:07

    A very smart dress, but comfortable too. What more could one want? I think a bit of extra length is needed with these cocoon dresses - it makes them longer and slimmer looking.

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret3 March 2017 at 21:32

      Thank you Sarah Liz. I quite like the length, now I have got used to it.

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  6. DarlaB3 March 2017 at 01:13

    I made this dress in a woven and have been wanting to try it in a knit. Seeing yours motivates me! You look beautiful in the dress. The fabrics are great together. I am so jealous of your knit binding at the neckline. I struggle to get that to look as nice. Would you be willing to show your technique at some point? Thank you!

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret3 March 2017 at 21:36

      It's so nice to know I have motivated another sewer, as there are lots of talented sewers out there who motivate me. The dress I am currently sewing will have the same neckline binding so I will try to include more detail about this technique in my next post. Thanks so much for your lovely comment DarlaB.

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  7. Anonymous3 March 2017 at 23:33

    This is such an attractive dress, and I can imagine it being a bit like secret pyjamas - except a bit more glamorous. I was thinking about your coverstitching issue, I might have a play on mine as I haven't noticed this being a problem.

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret4 March 2017 at 09:00

      Thanks Sue. That's interesting to know that you have not experienced this issue. I really need to have a good practice on some scraps.

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  8. fabric epiphanies8 March 2017 at 05:31

    The combination of fabrics looks lovely. I love secret pyjamas!

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret8 March 2017 at 16:35

      Thanks Andrea. Not only is it comfy...it doesn't require ironing. The perfect work dress.

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  9. Sharon13 March 2017 at 16:11

    Your dress looks lovely, the fabric combinations are perfect.

    When I hem with my coverstitch I never positon the raw edge directly under my stiching for the very reason you say. I always sew just inside the raw edge so the raw edge isn't covered, does that make sense.

    Now for the inverted "v" a tip I learnt with Susan Khalje is to make it a cross, e.g clip your fabric, sew up one side keeping the second side clear via the clip and then sew the other side, hope that makes sense as well, will see if my notes are any clearer.

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret13 March 2017 at 19:03

      Thanks Sharon. I'm so glad I am not the only one who has trouble covering the raw edge with the coverstitch. Thank you for sharing Susan Khalje's tip to get a nice sharp point. I will be trying that next time for sure.

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  10. Lisa16 March 2017 at 03:40

    Love your new dress! And love this color blue on you! This dress showcases your attention to detail and skillset well. I thought the center point was right on 'point' perfectly. No help with the coverstitch as I do not have a coverstitch machine. :( :)

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    1. Sew, Jean Margaret16 March 2017 at 19:07

      Thank you Lisa. I love this blue too. The point did turn out ok, but when I was sewing, the fabric seemed to stretch into a gentle curve so that I barely changed direction at the point. I don't think this would happen in a woven fabric.

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