I have finally made a dress for Daughter No1! It isn’t the dress I’d sketched for the Miss Bossy Challenge, although that is underway. This was partly inspired by a vintage pattern I have and Daughter No1’s desire to have a “grown up going out” dress. The fabric is a stretch cotton John Kaldor print I’ve had for a very long time, just waiting for the right pattern to come along.
Normally skirt lengths for this young lady are most definitely above the knee, and being petite that’s the way she prefers them. However, no wiggle dress I know has hems that short, this one finishes just below her kneecap, dead on 60cm from her waist.
I used the 2-piece dress block, making the finished length 60 cm and removing 1.5cm from the hip, tapering to 3cm at the hem. She was definite about the hem being narrow! The front skirt dart was converted into a pleat, and I added a second, but the added width does not extend to the hemline. The back skirt retains its 2 darts and centre back seam. I tapered the centre back seam to lose 1.5cm at the hem, then I added a 15cm long vent. then she decided she didn’t want a proper vent, just a split.
The front bodice has waist and underarm darts and a simple neckline, it’s in the back that the fireworks are happening! The back has a deep “V” that crosses over the centre back line about 15cm up and overlaps at the waistline by 5cm. The back bodice dart was converted into a pleat and moved to the intersection of the centre back seam & the waist seam. Once I’d determined the line for the back I added a 5cm grown-on facing. There is a 25cm invisible zip in the skirt in the centre back, and the crossover bodice is fixed with a pair of press studs.
I am really happy with how this dress has turned out, and I hope I get to make another! We just need to see how, with wearing, that back holds up. I have a feeling I may have to put a hook & eye or something where the two back pieces cross, just to ensure there is not too much gapping. But for now, it’s gorgeous, & Daughter No1 loves it! So I’m happy! 🙂
THE COMPULSIVE SEAMSTRESS 
Gorgeous dress! The cut, the fit, the fabric – everything! LOVE the back.
Thanks Lindsey! Now I want to make another 🙂
Really pretty and percfectly made ,she wears it very well,congrats.
thank you Ghislaine, I loved making it for her.
I love everything about this! The shape, the fabric, the style – gorgeous!
Thanks Lizzy, I had you in mind when I named this dress, I thought it was the sort you’re likely to wear, & seeing as you & daughter no1 are both petite it just seemed right!
Oh I’m so flattered – and of course it’s perfect that I think it’s perfect!
I love this dress so much. The fit is amazing. Fantastic inspiration for me as I’m self drafting and making a wiggle dress of sorts at the mo xx
Thanks Janene, looking forward to seeing yours! 🙂
It’s lovely! Great choice of fabric för the pattern, it looks vintage and modern at the same time
Thanks! That was what I was going for 🙂
What gorgeous daughters you have! So love this dress. The fabric is perfect for such a classic silhouette.
Thank you Tia! 🙂
This is breath-taking!
Thank you Chris!
Your dress is very cute!
Thanks! 🙂
Very grown up dress on a beautiful young lady. I love it. The back is fabulous.
Thanks! 🙂
Wow! Your children are SO lucky to have you making them such beautiful dresses! I love the fabric – it makes the shape of the dress perfectly!
Thanks! I’m luck to have girls who like having handmade stuff! 🙂
Just wow. This is so beautiful! The print, the fit, the length, the little details- everything! I am so inspired by this make!
Thank you! 🙂
Flattering. The back is especially lovely. I’m glad longer skirts are being worn by young women again – too short is too much information in my view.
Thanks Gail! Thankfully she is waking up to this idea, legs or boobs, not both! 🙂
Beautiful! What an elegant dress.
Thanks! 🙂
Gorgeous dress for a gorgeous girl. No wonder you both happy!
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Thank you!!! 🙂
I can’t believe you drafted this – you are so freaking talented!! Amazing fit, and gorgeous dress and daughter! 🙂
Thank you very much! 🙂
This is really beautiful! I imagine you will have a long line of requests for more xx