Monday, January 28, 2013

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

Safari Shimmer Stretch ITY Knit Lynx Spots Natural/Black/GoldSafari Shimmer Stretch ITY Knit Snow Leopard Grey/GoldSafari Shimmer Stretch ITY Knit Animal Mix Gold/Grey Safari Shimmer Stretch ITY Knit Cheetah Black/Grey/GoldSafari Shimmer Stretch ITY Knit Spots Grey/GoldSafari Shimmer Stretch ITY Knit Cheetah Gold/Black

16 comments:

Veronica said...

Love, love, love it!

Victoria said...

Va-va-va voom! You look fantastic in this dress! Animal prints is all the rave and this dress has the right mix of sex appeal and modernness.

Stephanie Anderton said...

You Rock that dress!!!! I like your rule about the short, tight and shiny! It makes a lot of sense.

And now I have to try that elastic technique, I've got the same machine. I've never been able to sew that stuff successfully!

Kristine said...

Damn, girl! That is a super hot dress, and perfect for the cruise! Yes, with a cardigan to school, no one will know! Made me smile, I wore an asymmetrical leopard print on our cruise... I'll send you a pic!

Clio said...

BAM is right! It IS over the top in the most awesome way! Perfect for a cruise.

crystalpleats said...

You look great in this dress, and I like it under the knee, too.

Merche said...

Gorgeous. You´ll just have to throw a party to wear it!
I´ll try to remember your rule it makes a lot of sense!

marysews said...

It's in the WOWZA category, and you have the body for it, so you're good!

prttynpnk said...

Oh, please let me post you on Jungle January!!! I love this so much!

Anonymous said...

That's one of my favorite dresses you've made. Bravo!

SewingSveta said...

nice january dress%)))

Sofie said...

BAM! Indeed! It looks great on you. I like the "short, tight or shiny" that's a good rule to go by!

Melissa Fehr said...

Love it! I'm not a fan of wearing leopard print myself (or many other prints for that matter), but I love the look on others!

Also, I want to know who answers the door to Crass-ville! It's worth knocking just to find out, right??

Deby Coles said...

LOVE the dress. You have such an amazing figure that you can easily carry off this look - so many admiring glances I'm sure.
Deby @ www.So-Sew-Easy.com

Elizabeth Adcock said...

Absolutely stunning!

MadeByMeg said...

I have a dress JUST like this but from a kwik sew pattern (http://megmadethis.blogspot.com/2010/09/fall-wedding-dress.html). so funny!