Sunday 25 March 2018

Coco Dress in Jersey Knit for March's MAGAM


Early in March, I posted my MAGAM plans on Instagram. The theme for March is MAD March, which stands for make a dress...something. I decided to make a TNT pattern for me... the Tilly and the Buttons Coco Dress with a few modifications to make it a little different.


Modifications made were: to reduce the flare of the skirt, add vertical darts to the back and to add half circle cuffs to the 3/4 length sleeves. 


The addition of vertical darts in the back give a nice fit and take away from any sack like silhouette. I always reduce the flare of the skirt because I feel it's a bit too flared. I have narrow hips and the narrower skirt looks better on my shape.


I decided to use this lovely poly/spandex jersey print that I bought online from Knitwit in their summer sale. It must have sold out, as I can't see it on their site today. This is not the stable ponte or double knit that is the suggested fabric for this pattern, however, it worked out fine.


I used the circle skirt calculator from By Hand London to draft the half circle cuffs for the sleeves. This was really easy to do and I love the effect. The half circle additions to the sleeves are only a single layer and I opted to leave them unhemmed (raw edge) after experimenting with some scraps. I was never going to be able to hem that curved edge neatly and the wrong side would be on show. I would have self faced the half circle cuffs, but unfortunately there was not enough fabric left for that option.


It has been fun to get back into some selfish sewing, after making some shirts for my son. I'm pretty happy with how this dress turned out and I am realising that I gravitate to wearing dresses much more than separates, so maybe I should concentrate on making more dresses.

Happy sewing

Jean  

17 comments:

  1. I love your fabric and the changes you made to the pattern; it really look good on you.

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  2. Beautiful dress and I like your adjustments very much.

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  3. Like this fabric and pattern adjustments very much. I'm finding dresses more comfortable than separates ( particularly skirts) lately, and wear them often, especially in summer.

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    1. I like wearing dresses, because a dress is a whole outfit and unlike separates, you don't have to match pieces together. Makes getting dressed so much less complicated, and if it's a knit dress and doesn't need ironing, even better. Thanks Paola.

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  4. Beautiful dress! Great fit.... love those sleeves! :)

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    1. Thanks so much Lisa. I'm planning on wearing it to church for Easter this weekend, if the weather cooperates.

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  5. I am so glad your dress turned out nicely, after your false start with the sleeves. I agree, dart and a slim line work nicely on you - and with a busy pattern, you would not want more volume - also the sleeves are more the highlight with this nice slim shape.

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    1. Thanks Sarah Liz. I've realised this simple shape suits me and I should concentrate on finding new ways to customise it by mixing up different sleeve styles, neckline shapes etc, instead of wanting to buy every new pattern as it is released.

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  6. Gosh, I'm so far behind with my blog reading! Another Knitwit fabric that I recognise and just love on you. Your tweaks have really lifted with lovely dress to another level.

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comment Sue. I sometimes struggle to keep up with my blog reading too.

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