Ok, I know you’re waiting to see my coat, but I have something more fun! I made another dress!! I know what the other half is going to say when he sees it. He’s going to make a “nun outfit” reference, Sound of Music costume…. But I really don’t care, as an addition to my wardrobe with the Tea House Dress, it’s going to be well worn this season!
I made D:106, The V-Neck Dress from The Assembly Line. The fabric is a navy fine wool suiting that I bought specifically for this project from Fabworks Online. It’s soft and drapey and has the most wonderful sheen on it, as well as a fine pattern of lines in the weave that make it interesting close up.
This is the kind of wool I really like, because I shove it in the washing machine on a woolens wash and then hang it up to dry. Unless I completely forget that it’s in the wash and put it in a normal load, it’ll be washed on that woolen cycle for the rest of its life, and it won’t shrink! It also saves me a load of dry cleaning bills!
I detailed the toile in my previous post, but if you haven’t read that yet (whaaat??) here’s a round up. I traced the Large and made it up, looking for areas to fix. The only thing that stood out was the length, my legs aren’t supermodel length, so I took 4cm out of the skirt length, decided to go without a FBA and went for it!
The pattern pieces are rather long, but as the skirt isn’t massively flared you can actually get them staggered next to each other for cutting out, if your fabric is a suitably wide 140cm or above. I bought 3m just in case, and ended up using about 2.2m. That means enough for a skirt or cropped pair of trousers with the rest, free clothes!! 🙂 The instructions are very clear, good illustrations to follow if you’re a beginner or not too confident. The inseam pocket instructions are great and are the way I do mine normally. The result is a neat, hidden pocket. I used Gill Arnold’s fine sheer fusible for interfacing the collar facing, the belt and to stabilise the pocket seam areas.
The dress goes together easily if you follow those instructions, the only thing I felt was necessary that they don’t mention is to stabilise that v-neck while you’re working with the pieces to stop it stretching out. I ran a line of staystitching from the top down within the 1cm seam allowance, just to be safe. Another thing that beginners will like is that the instructions include where, and when to finish the seam allowances. They say to overlock, but you could just zigzag. I wouldn’t use French Seams unless you were using a really fine fabric because the resulting stiffness will affect the shape of the skirt.
I was initially worried that the V would be too low, I’m not necessarily comfy with showing off cleavage. But, I think at some point I need to stop being so prudish! A friend who saw the dress said it was fine, she didn’t see any underwear (one thing I don’t like showing) and that the depth worked. So there you go, it works and I’ll get on with it! It’s great for showing off a pretty pendant!
I’m really happy with the dress, I love the sleeves and the length, and that I can adjust the belt to be comfy. I definitely won’t be wearing the dress without the belt!! But I’m thinking of adding thread belt loops to hold it in place, as it tends to move up and down a bit. I also probably should have made the belt a little longer…. Nevermind, it’s ok for this time! Now I hope to influence the girls to each have a version, I think it will look fantastic on Daughter No 2 with her height, and nice and dramatic on Daughter No 1, especially if worn with one for her many new jackets!
****!!UPDATE!!****
My dress has been shortlisted as a finalist in the “Around the World” section of The Monthly Stitch Indie Pattern Month 2018. Here’s the link to the voting page, I’d be delighted if you decided to vote for me, but you also get to choose 2 other garments to vote for. You can only vote once, but you get three choices.
THE COMPULSIVE SEAMSTRESS 
Anne, this dress looks fabulous, and I can even see the fabric’s sheen. Wonderful new dress for you! (WHERE did you get those shiny shoes?! ❤❤) Will have to investigate as this is something I might wear… xx
Thank you Del! The shoes were from Clarks a few years ago, they all do the style, not sure about the colours now though!
Ah, Clarks! Love ’em, & thank you!
This such a beautiful dress! The fabric looks perfect for the style🙌🏾🙌🏾
Thank you Hila! It needed to be thin & drapey, otherwise I’d look like a bag of potatoes, tied in the middle! 😀
The smile on your face shows how pleased you are with the dress. It’s perfect. A great addition to the wardrobe
Thank you, I’m looking forward to wearing it loads during the winter.
I bloody love this! Not nunnish, but rather chic and sexy
Thank you so much! 🙂 I’m starting to like the dresses in my wardrobe this season!
Lovely fabric! It’s a great colour on you too!
Thanks!!
Nice dress! I have this on my list to make but was worried about having so much fabric in the front of the dress that would already emphasize my tummy. Yours looks great and thanks for the tips
I had that same worry, but there isn’t that much to gather in with the belt, and I keep it a little higher up, than my natural waist. I’m thinner there! )
I had never heard of the Assembly Line until a few weeks ago and now I’m seeing their patterns everywhere! I love this dress on you and the colour is beautiful.
Thanks Sue! I’d seen them before, but the patterns are single size, except for this one! I figure I can make for me and the girls therefore making the pattern more cost effective.
Lovely neckline and great fabric. Very elegant
hi Anne i have bought the pattern but havent a clue where or how to start am a beginner, do you know of any detailed sew along to make this dress?
Hi Ann, not that I’m aware of… Its not a complicated pattern, but if you’re a beginner you might want to sew it with help. I can’t help at the moment, I’m far away from my sewing stuff, but I can look at doing something from May.