BAM. Leopard Print Dress. January Burda Challenge

I really meant it when I said I was going to make a leopard print dress. There are some big changes from the original pattern to what I did with it. First, it was meant for a woven and I was using a knit. So, I decided to go down a size. The smallest size of this dress, as drafted, was a size 34 (my real size) so I graded it down a bit to a 32. Also, the original dress has a zipper (gone!), lining (gone!), an underarm gusset (gone!), and numerous facings (gone!). I’m really happy with my version. Where will I wear it? No idea. Maybe on our cruise in March. Probably to school with flats and a cardigan. Only I will know it’s a glaringly school-inappropriate outfit.
Well, this was an easy dress. It’s only two pattern pieces and it’s super easy to make. I’m not sure I’m even wearing it the right way. The back and front pattern pieces are so close that I’ve tried it on both ways and can’t figure out which is which. Now, where is my Tarzan? Sassy pose, GO.


One side is almost completely ruched down the side (it’s the side without the sleeve, my left side below). The other side has no ruching at all. There are also gathers on the shoulder piece.


I almost always make shorter (above knee-mid thigh) length dresses but I really like how this one is long. I always use the rule: Short, Tight, and Shiny, pick ONE. I chose tight and the print puts it dangerously into shiny-land. I think it’s just knocking on the door to Crass-ville but maybe not through the door yet. Well, at least I think it’s okay. Some may think it’s over the top. I’m okay with that.


I used 1/4” clear elastic on most of the seams as I was serging it. This is the only time I’m successful with this stuff. I can’t seem to use it with my regular sewing machines even when I use all the tricks.


Here you can see me feeding it through the little slot on top of the serger foot.

Other technical stuff: I coverstitched the bottom hem, sleeve, and top of bodice, I left off the underarm gusset because I thought it would add too much ease to the bodice. I’m very happy with it. It adds some fun to winter doldrums.

**edited to add these fun Fabric.com links. I just got an email saying that ITY knits are 30% off. How fun is that? Want some of your own animal print knit? I might have to buy some more too!**