I can’t seem to keep myself from making pretty dresses…I am quite practical in other areas of my life… really I am. But when I come across such a pretty and painterly print…it just begged to be made into a dress. Another dress…like my closet needs another dress.
On the topic of practicality… if you want to make a great fit and flare dress that doesn’t require a copious amount of fabric or wastage…this is the one. Vogue 1353. Go ahead and look…no… wait I’ll save you the trouble…
Whoa!!! Oh Vogue…you make it so hard to love your patterns sometimes! It was pretty easy to pass this one over…until I took a closer look at the line drawings and then the yardage. The yardage was the clincher for me….this beauty only requires 1.4 m! (1 1/2 yards for those of you in the US) Granted, that doesn’t include lining but if you are anything like me, you probably already have some that you found on sale stored in the stash. Finding patterns that use less fabric and have less waste has been a goal for me lately.
My most favorite dress Simplicity 2444 calls for 1.5m just for the skirt!
Needless to say…I’m hooked on this new favorite.
Pattern: Vogue 1353
Fabric used: The prettiest stretch cotton sateen.
Instructions: I found this pattern to be quite easy to put together. No problems that I recall.
Changes I made: I added 2.5 inches to the length and just did a turn and hem at the bottom. I found it to be too short for me. Next time I may consider going down a size…I’m not sure though. I think that this particular fabric may have stretched somewhat while making it. I may have been a bit too zealous in my pressing.
Repeat worthy? Yes! I love that this dress uses fabric frugally and it has some lovely details like bodice pleating and bust darts. My only wish….pockets! I added pockets originally but removed them after an initial fit test because I thought that the dress was going to be tighter and I didn’t want the pockets to be pulled open. In hindsight, I should have left the pockets because there is plenty of room for them! Oh well… lesson learned and of course I could always add them still!
I have worn this dress so many times already which is a sure sign that I should make it again. I should actually be making more wardrobe staples but we all know that I won’t be doing that!
It's lovely! Now I want this fabric… any chance it's Fabricland? I think this totally counts as a wardrobe staple, especially sine you say you've work it repeatedly! 🙂
Oh Margo! We are sisters-in-arms…or dresses more appropriately! I can't stop either, LOL! This dress is a beauty on you! Make MORE! I did click through to Vogue…and I totally agree with your thoughts on the sample garment….difficult to see the design lines, difficult to love. Perhaps they'll use your lovely version in the future!
Gorgeous fabric and a very pretty dress! Perfect!
beautiful version, love the fabric choice, it looks great on you. I have made this pattern twice and I agree – very easy to find some fabric for it instead of the usual 2-3 yards for a full skirted dress.
Oh this dress is so pretty! Love the front and back details. Well done! Your fabric is a dream xx
Vision of beauty! I see you wearing this a lot. It truly is a wardrobe staple, you look amazing and so happy!
I have this pattern and I really need to make it now!
sooo pretty. Such gorgeous colors! Thank you for ushering in summer!
What a gorgeous dress! The fabric is fabulous:) My favourite Vogue pattern,1314, has an awful looking dress on the cover! The many great reviews on P.R, is what sold me, Vogue doesn't seem to know how to represent their patterns on the cover sometimes! Where did you pick up the fabric? I don't recall seeing it at Fabricville, but I could have missed it! 1.4 meters, that's great! I always seem to purchase fabric without a particular project in mind and have extra left over:/ I do need more everyday clothes, but dresses are much more fun to make and wear!;)
If it's comfortable and easy to wear, then it's both pretty and practical! There's no rule defining practicality where wardrobes are concerned. 😀 This fabric is really stunning. Also, thanks for the tip on the yard requirements for this pattern. It's good to have a few patterns to consider for those smaller pieces of fabric in my stash!
I know this fabric! I've walked past it a dozen times at Fabricland all spring. (I already bought and have made a few things w/ the blue version, or I would have bought it.) This is a lovely dress, and a lovely pattern that is totally underserved by the pattern envelope.
Margo….if you've worn it a lot , it IS a wardrobe staple! You look lovely in it. And what is it with those pattern photos…they should get some of their customers in to pick the fabrics and models, their sales would improve so much!!! Vogue are you reading this?! X
That is so so beautiful! I love that fabric. I have a pile of pretty fabrics just waiting to be made into pretty dresses too – I think that's ok in the summer!
Thanks Gillian! Yes, I bought it at Fabricville ( that's what it is call east of Montreal) It's Hannah cotton stretch sateen. It was super easy to work with. Now go get some so we can be twinsies!
Thanks Sue! We would be the sharing clothes kind of sisters, wouldn't that be fun! Vogue using my version…wouldn't that be amazing!
Thanks so much!
Thanks Beth! I went to check out your versions and I love them both! This dress in a solid color is quite striking…both look lovely on you!
Thanks Hana! It's nice when a dress comes together so well…pattern and fabric.
Ahhh thanks Becki! You should definitely make this dress and I really recommend a stretch sateen…nice weight to it and a little forgiving in fit when need be 😉
Do you remember commenting on Instagram about seeing me make this dress in "something happy and spring"? You called it! I'm now naming this beauty my Becki dress!
Ok Summer…did you hear that?! Now it's time to show yourself! lol Thanks Tasha!
What would pattern companies do without blogs and PR? really! I bought this one at Fabricville, it's called Hannah cotton stretch sateen. Super easy to work and I think it's on sale right now buy 1 get 2 free. Enough for two dresses!!
Thanks Michelle! I'm on the hunt lately for low yardage patterns to use up those smaller pieces in the stash. This is a winner! And it would work well with a border print which I should have mentioned in the post.
Thanks Andrea! Yes the blue version is so nice and was my first choice but I always choose blue and thought I would go for the pink instead.
Thanks Philippa! Yes…Vogue are you reading this?! Lol That's why I love reading blogs so I can see patterns made up differently. So much great inspiration!
Thanks!! Summer is the time to wear all the pretty dresses we want!
This is really lovely and that floral is so pretty! I find that as this time of year, all I want to make are dresses too. I am much more practical in the cooler months. 🙂
Maybe dresses are your wardrobe staple at this time of year :). And if you love it and wear it, then you can't have had too many..!! 🙂 :).
I agree, this is a very pretty print – and I didn't realise the pattern was so economical with fabric – many fuller skirts take so much – like 3.5 yards plus.
You make the prettiest dresses!
Love the style and fabric!!! Beautiful dress!
I think a 1.5 yard glamorous dress that you wear often counts as practical 🙂
I don't think it's too short on you at all. It's perfect in every way 🙂 x
I agree the photo doesn't do it justice. I have made this up in a vibrant floral as well and love it! Your version looks lovely.
Gorgeous dress, and only 1.5 meters of fabric!! I agree on the poor choices of prints Vogue usually makes.
You look stunning in your dresses…always!!
Thanks Heather! You are right…practicality should be saved for the winter months. Time to live it up in the summer!
Thanks Sarah Liz! The skirt on this dress could also be made using a border print.
Ahhh thanks Shanni!
Thank you Almeda! I waited to buy this fabric but kept going back to it so then I knew it would be a favorite for me.
It really is hard to believe that it takes so little! It opens up new possibilities for more of these just from my stash.
Thanks Dawn!
I must go check yours out! I'm sure I would love it!
Thanks Merche!
While you have the motivation to make lovely new Summer dresses make them. This is a lovely dress. The print is so uplifting.
That fabric is gorgeous, and I love the bodice so much. Great job!