Hey, I love your dress, just bought the pattern at the last vogue sale. I do think it fits an array of body shapes and sizes which always makes for a great pattern. I know that matte jersey has quite a different feel that that of ponta roma knit (which I love so very much. I've noticed that you've made several garments from the matte recently. One thing about it is it's always available locally here. Can you tell me what it is about it that you like in using it for your garments; i.e. weight, easy to stitch, etc.???

It's readily available! LOL Thanks!

I think I really need to buy this pattern at the next sale!

That is a fantastic dress! That color is wonderful. :]

Love the color of your jersey and of course the dress! You look great! That dress is really popular:)

LOL. I loved your whole post. I love your version of this dress as well.

Looks great on you. It looks better on you than on the model on the pattern envelope. I would never have made this dress based on the envelope but seeing it here I really like it and may try it.

Erica, you look fab, as usual. Everytime I see you in a new post, I can't believe you cut a size 16. I would have guessed you at a 12. Not that there is anything wrong with size 16, of course! ( I am a size 16!) But you look just fab. That's my point, I guess :).

Your sewing blog is one of my top favorites! I would love to know where you buy your fabrics. I have a great stash (don't we all!) but only have a Joanns and a Hamricks locally plus a children's shop which often has usable fabrics. I've been looking online. Could you give us a list of your favorite fabrics stores?

Know where special. I buy what is readily available and that would be Joanns and Hancock. They are both only a mile away!

Erica, as usual you look stunning, but this one I absolutely love! Amazing too what a difference the belt makes - it really hadn't wowed me before! Gorgeous!

You look great in your version and you are right this is a dress that works for a variety of sizes.

Another fantastic version of this fantastic pattern. As soon as I get the right fabric this is moving from my pattern collection into my closet!

Lovely lovely dress on you Girl!!! And with those shoes all I have to say is OMG the outfit and shoes to die for! :)

Really nice, Erica. Maybe I need to get on the bandwagon too...

Very flattering dress and color! You look fabulous!

The whole outfit is stunning - you look lovely!

Ah -the colour purple - no wonder Kings and Queens wore it. I'm jumping on the bandwagon too, but I'll use an older, identical Simplicity pattern.

This is so elegant, and so beautifully cut. I love the lines. I'll have to check this one out. And it looks comfortable too! I agree that yours looks better than the model's.

Ok...love the dress, but I LURVE those shoes!!!!! Yes! I have to get a similar pair even though I already have a couple of pairs of nude pumps. However, nude, patent leather, AND a Mary Jane in one shoe?? Yes, again! LURVE!

I still can't believe that this dress is so flattering to so many people, but now I'm convinced that I MUST have the pattern! Like others have said, based on the pattern envelope and the model on it, I wouldn't have given it a second look, but it really is flattering on so many people!

and I have to also say...omg the shoes! THE SHOES!!! I swoon!

You look so fabulous as always.The shoes just complete the package

Gorgeous!!!! Color and the shoes are too die for!

Erica, you always have such excellent taste! That color and those shoes are beautiful!
Kelsey

I notice that you use a lot of jersey knit. Do you use a serger or a regular sewing machine? Your pieces always look so amazing. Do you use a special finishing technique?
Thank you for doing what you do, you are an inrpiration.

As always you look great. Just love the colour on you. I probably would have left this dress but after seeing yours I might have to give it a try next summer.

Love it! I've been trying to figure out what color to make my next one, since I gave the first one away. I may just have to copy you and do a purple one. It's gorgeous!

Beautiful dress, suits you very well!

What a great dress (and what great shoes!). I like it way better with the belt than the pattern photo.

This dress may get bumped up in my list of sewing for the summer. Lovely. Thanks for sharing.

I'm sure this will be one of the 2011 patterns of the year on Pattern Review. Love the color and the fit and agree that it looks better belted.

Gorgeous. I love the deep purple on you.

I dont sew... but I love to drop by and see what you are doing... You always pick such beautiful patterns and the styles look great on you! I have never worn alot of dresses... so I have been reviewing blogs trying to get my BRAVE on and step out of my comfort zone! I do hope you have a wonderful day... and HEY I love love love your shoes! They rock. Your one aof a few blogs I check out in ALABAMA... I m praying for you all!

I dont sew... but I love to drop by and see what you are doing... You always pick such beautiful patterns and the styles look great on you! I have never worn alot of dresses... so I have been reviewing blogs trying to get my BRAVE on and step out of my comfort zone! I do hope you have a wonderful day... and HEY I love love love your shoes! They rock. Your one aof a few blogs I check out in ALABAMA... I m praying for you all!

Ah ha! This may be just the pattern to get me started. Thank you for featuring it! You look gorgeous, by the way. :)

Love the dress, love the hair, love the heels. SEXY!

This dress is fabulous! Love the shoes, too.

This is really pretty! If I had to wear one I think this one would be great! LOL I usually wear slacks but once in a long while I am forced to wear a dress LOL...Its got a very nice style to it I think. Will tuck the pattern number away for future reference in case I find I need a dress! It looks great on you.

Erica, You look great! Three hours to start to finish this makes it more attractive.

Love the color you chose. This isn't my style, but I think I might have to jump on the bandwagon, too!

Well done Erica! :)

I know I'm supposed to be looking at the dress but I can't take my eyes off the shoes! H.O.T.

What a masterpiece. Really fantastic!! I have nominated you for the Stylish Blogger Award (for obvious reasons:)). I doubt you have time to respond but I love to see your creations! Pam

Erica, you are so pretty and talented! I love the dress, and the shoes are to die for! I agree the neck line is definitely popular. I love your blog!

I am just going to have to give this one a try! Very flattering look for you!

I own this pattern, it's on my sewing list for summer! Your version turned out great!

I purchased this pattern online when it first came out and forgot about it. Love that dress on you and like others those shoes are killing! Nice job.

Based on your lovely version-- and the many, many, other "highly recommended" ratings by other sewing bloggers-- I broke down and stopped by Hancocks last evening on my way home from a trip beyond the airport to the bulk mail center. I wanted to snag a copy of the pattern in my size before it sold out! Missed the $3.99 sale, but hit at 40% off on all Vogues, so ... with discount fabric and pattern, I still am under $30 for a brand-new dress. And am excited at the thought of sewing it up directly.

WOW! You are amazingly talented. This coming from a young woman who can barely reattach a missing button or mend a tear...but I'm impressed nonetheless :)
Making your own clothing is an excellent idea-- it's so creative, you can adjust to fit your body perfectly the way ready-made clothing often does not and it's a great option to avoid buying from corporations whose manufacturing ethics you don't agree with. I wish I had that kind of skill :) I just found you via a comment at Clutch. Subscribing--now!

Beautiful dress! I just bought this pattern becasue you make it look so good! I think mine will be blue... :)

Gorgeous! This is one of my favorite colors.

wowww gorgeous !!!xx

the dress is really fabulous! awesome job! :)

I've had this pattern in my stash for years and haven't gotten around to making it yet. Your version is STUNNING -- you have an uncanny ability to choose a flattering pattern and pair it with the perfect fabric. Two questions: Looking at others' versions of this dress online, some women ended up with a ridiculously low neckline requiring a cami, but your neckline is much more wearable (like, won't get you kicked out of church on Sunday morning!). Did you have to do anything to ensure the neckline wouldn't gape, or do you think it has to do with choosing a size that isn't going to be super loose on you? Second, I LOVE the self belt. Can you tell me how you made that? Did you stabilize the belt fabric in any way or just fold a rectangle in half, serge the edges and turn it right side out?