So what you you think? Is this style dated? It’s from 1994.
I still really like it. This has been in my stash for maybe 10 years. Back in the 90′s I would have made it from slinky, fortunately today’s knits have the same great drape without slinky’s weight and tendency to “grow”. About the only negative to this style is that it uses 4 yards(!) of 60 inch of fabric if you can believe it. I also may have some adjusting to do, I have a feeling I could have gone with even a 10 size-wise since its Vogue and their slopers are huge.. That’s the beauty of a muslin. Off to look for fabric on-line….
I don’t think it’s dated at all, and you know I’d tell you if I did. I think it will look really cute and be comfortable for summer.
Nah, not dated. It has classic lines.
I don’t think it’s dated, as Nancy said – classic lines.
Definitely still relevant! But 4 yards of 60″ wide fabric? The hemline on this thing must be monstrous!
Made it! Mine needs some serious tweaking to get regular wear.
Notes from the field: the reason it asks for so much fabric is because the skirt is very wide and very long. I had a beefy knit, and I’m kinda pear shaped – this added up to balloon-bottom. I’ve since chopped it off below the knee, and continue to take the seams in to reduce the bulk. Also, if you are going for the sleeved version, these are more “90′s short sleeve” rather than “semi-capped sleeves” like the illustration. I know that there is a big following for longer short sleeves, but on me with the beefy knit it just looked frumpy. They were shortened too. It was definitely on the large side, but that could also have been the amount of stretch in my knit – those things are way hard to predict without trying it out!
After taking in the seams again, I will be adding a contrast binding for the collar (and maybe cuffs on the sleeves) just because the colour I chose was a bit powerful. But it’s definitely comfortable, and amazingly not-too-casual for a knit dress, which is why it’s worth it to me to keep tweaking until I wear it to death!
The dress is very cute. I think the hem length is dated though. Chop it off at the knee or make it a true maxi and it will look “now.” GL!
I don’t think this dress looks dated at all. I think that classic lines like this comes down to fabric choice.
I don’t think the style is dated – it’s the length that’s dated. I’d definitely make it and chop at least a foot off the bottom.
I don’t think it’s dated either — plus it looks like a comfy and fun dress to wear!
Agree with the thoughts of the very long skirt calling for the significant yardage. I’m guessing the pattern has shortening lines to keep the hem drape in place. As you rightfully do, a muslin will give you the effect you want.
It’s a timeless style … I love it!
[...] category. Made a few pairs of HP Marrakesh pants to wear around the house and also made up Vogue 8936 but my serger won’t do a coverhem so that project is on hiatus until I get it up to New [...]
I made the sleeveless version in black about a year ago, and wore it on a summer trip to Western Australia. I really like the length, but I’m 5’9″ and I can handle a lot of fabric around the hem. I wear it either by itself or with a Metalicus fine-stripe t-shirt underneath, and usually with a pair of arty-looking black suede flat sandals. It also looks good with my multi-coloured chunky glass necklace.
I used a black heavy cotton/rayon knit with lots of drape, and lined the bodice because of the weight – I’m not sure I needed to do that. I also lengthened the bodice by about an inch, because I’ve got a 40″ bust; the underbust seam now sits in the right place.
I had about 2.5m and my fabric has no nap, so I just fitted the skirt pieces the best I could – I’ve had no problems at all.
Hemming such a large curved stretchy hem was a bit of a challenge – it resisted every technique I tried. Eventually, I used a three thread overlock stitch, as it didn’t fall off the edge or bunch up like the rolled hem.
I love it, and will probably make another one when I find the right fabric.