Happy New Year and Hello 2012!!!

Happy New Year!! I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday. Things have been really crazy over here in my world and I don't see them calming down that much any time soon but I'm trying to get a handle on things and maybe 2012 will be a little better. Let's just say I don't have control on everything, but I'm trying. My mother had a heart attack at the end of October and since I am her only child, there is a lot to handle. She is stable now and came home in the beginning of December, but can not be left on her own for long periods of time. We're all managing okay and taking one day at a time.

Anyway, the guys and I played and sang our hearts out New Years Eve and it was a blast. Of course, you know I had to have a new dress for the occasion. I never thought I might make this dress but I love it and want to make it again.

On Friday I knew I wanted to make something but I wasn't sure what. Since sparkle is in, I was thinking sequins and you know that out of the 10+ containers of fabric I own there was nothing there. Don't worry I've put myself on a fabric diet again for 2012 until PR Weekend in New York. Anyway, I stopped at Jomar on my way home from work in the hopes that I could find something there. I found a sparkly wine stretch knit that I was going to go with first but while I was standing in the checkout line I spotted this lace knit on the designer remnant table for $3.99 a yard. There was only two yards but hey, that was all I needed. I also picked up some tricot while I was there for $1.60 a yard.

On the way to my mother's house I stopped by Joanns to pick up a zipper and saw that McCall and Vogue patterns were on sale. I purchased a few patterns and also picked up Vogue 1267 by Tom and Linda Platt. I purchased this pattern before but wasn't sure I'd have time to pull it out so I purchased another copy to play it safe.

Here's my review:




Pattern Description:

Close-fitting, lined dress has decorative shoulder and side darts, lingerie straps and invisible back zipper.

Pattern Sizing:

8-24

I cut a 14 but scaled down to a 12 because of the stretch lace knit.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

I think so but the lace knit fabric hides the darts so you can't really see them.


Were the instructions easy to follow?

The directions for this pattern are fantastic and very easy to follow. Also, this pattern is seven pieces. You have to cut out each individual piece separately and I have to say this pattern is made so well that you can't make a mistake.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I did not dislike anything about this pattern.

Fabric Used:

Stretch lace knit that I purchased at Jomar.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Because the dress had enough stretch in it, I was able to omit the zipper.



Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I definitely plan on making this dress again. I think that the detail of the darts was lost on this version and I want to make it again in a woven so that the darts can be featured. If you have a wedding or special occasion to go to, don't pass this dress up. I was able to sew it up in about two hours. Cutting and marking time took a little over an hour but it was so worth it.

Conclusion:

This was the last garment I sewed for 2011 and I love it. I got so many compliment New Years Eve on this dress and someone actually wants me to sew for them and she went as far as to give me her phone number and email to stay in contact with her. I'd say that's a win win.