Review: Vogue 1305 | The 'End of Summer' White Maxi Dress!
12:00 AM
This pattern has been on my "To Sew" list since last year. I was determined to get it made this season. And I did, in the nick of time!
This pattern is Vogue 1305. And it's a designer one -- Lialia by Julia Alarcon. She was also profiled on "All on the Line with Joe Zee" last season.
The description of this dress is as follows: semi-fitted, lined, pullover dress (fitted through hips) has draped right side extending into sleeve, left side slit, shoulder opening, and back opening with button/loop. Note: shoulder opening can be worn as neck opening.
I had two major decisions regarding this dress. The first one was, what fabric? I knew I was going to make this dress in white. White fabric would just seal the deal on the beautiful Grecian design. But it couldn't be transparent, because this dress leaves very little to the imagination. So I found this "perfect for me" fabric at Mood Fabrics. It's a medium weight, cotton lycra jersey with a lot stretch. With a dress like this, I didn't know if heavy stretch would work for me or against me in this design. I chose a medium weight fabric because I wanted to be able to omit the lining... which was my second decision. This is a white dress for summer, and I didn't want it to be hot and heavy. So where the instructions suggested attaching the lining, I just serged and used a 5/8" hem to finish.
The only problem that I ran into was the right side and its draping. I follow Cennetta's advice and added pleats to create ruching and maintain the draped effect. Because there was no other choice with the weight of my cotton lycra jersey.
Where I would normally lengthen everything, this dress is long! So long that I decided to belt it so that I could blouse it and wear it with flats. No lengthening alteration was needed; that really surprised me. So I basically sewed this one straight from the envelope.
And the only alteration I made was to raise the back opening. With the amount of stretch this fabric has and as low as the back opening was -- to the butt crack, it needed to be raised. And I also made the side slit a little higher for walking ease.
So, before anyone asks -- here's the bra:
This is the Maidenform Combo Wing Push-Up Bra. Yes, it sticks on using adhesive tapes that come with the bra and it also converts with the straps to halter or one-shoulder. I also keep Topstick tape in my lingerie drawer and I was prepared to use them in case the original tapes weren't going to hold. And yes, I wore this around the house before I went out in public to make sure it would hold.
Okay, the thing you have to know about a "contraption" like this is to use common sense. Obviously, you can NOT wear lotions, creams, body oils, etc... when wearing this, or the adhesive won't hold. If you have a really large bust, this isn't going to work for you. I'm a 36D and I bought the size 6. I probably could've gone up to the largest size, a 7. But it worked fine for me, for the few hours I had this on. It's good as a "special occasion" bra.
All in all, this was a pretty simple pattern to cut and sew. But I would be very particular about the side draping and forgo the instructions and create ruching. I don't know if I'll sew this one again. I'd like a short version in black. I think it would make a great cocktail dress. But this long version is definitely a one of a kind of your closet.
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40 comments
This is absolutely gorgeous! I love every detail, and the side ruching is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherita!
DeleteBeautiful dress! Hope you do the shorter, black version as well.
ReplyDeleteI hope I find the time to get around to it Levone! Thanks!
DeleteEver since I saw your facebook post, I've been dying to see the on you! Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThanks SheriNJ!
DeleteIve been wondering about this pattern and I love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jaci!
DeleteI like the bra information that you added to this post - very helpful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carolyn!
DeleteREFRESHING...I love the bra info!
ReplyDeleteLooks gorgeous on you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Norie!
DeleteLOL!!! the whole time I was reading this I was like "what kind of bra is she wearing?" And I laughed when I got to the bra part.
ReplyDeleteThe dress looks amazing as always on you. Those of us in the south can still sew summer for a month or two longer....
LOL! I'll be sewing Fall-colored pieces that can be layered for the colder months come September! Thanks!
DeleteGorgeous! And since I asked about the bra on the last post, I'm sure you know I was curious on this one too, haha; I appreciated a review of that type of bra from someone with a chest size closer to mine.
ReplyDeleteThanks FlyingPurpleHippos! It's not just you. I get questions on other social networking sites and emails!
DeleteI'm just like everybody else...I was wondering about the bra. LOL!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty and very elegant.
Thanks Onefromphilly!
DeleteThis is just stunning. So elegant. Nothing says more end of summer than a white maxi goddess dress! I love reading about your take on these adventurous patterns!
ReplyDeleteBravo, ERICA! You look spectacular!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cennetta! And your review was perfect!
DeleteGorgeous dress and you stylized so nicely right down to the hair! You look like a Greek Goddess indeed- like the column background too!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen this pattern. Has it been around long?
Thanks Angela and this pattern has been out since spring/summer 2012.
DeleteI do love a dress with a bit of drama and this certainly has plenty of that. White was a perfect choice for it, looks great on you although I can't begin to imagine how long it would be on me!
ReplyDeleteThanks AllisonC!
DeleteThanks Candice!
ReplyDeleteo-la-la! awesome job! (http://trapkeybygaia.blogspot.com/)
ReplyDeleteThanks Little G!
DeleteI love this dress too, but wonder if there is anywhere I would where it. Is there a possibility of making this pattern as a knee-length dress?
ReplyDeleteOn the designer's website, she shows the dress in the short version. Thanks Gail!
DeleteI'm not sure I would have given the original a second glance, but I LOVE what you did with the blousing to take up the extra length and now I'm thinking about making one! The fabric you picked works perfectly, too--nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThanks adventuregrrl!
DeleteI love this dress. As always beautifully constructed and styled. Thank you for sharing about underpinnings!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kimberly!
DeleteYou look stunning Erica as usual such a beautiful dress, lots of inspiration here but not for me 5' tall I do not think so but beautiful on you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lesley!
DeleteI just LOVE this!! You look AWESOME!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dorie!
DeleteSuper cute. Loved how your styled it as well.
ReplyDelete