Saturday, December 6, 2014

New Look 6298: My New Bestie


You know how I (and lots of other bloggers) am always like, this dress is nice, but if I had done this, or if the fabric were that, or next time I will change this? Yeah, I'm not going to say any of that stuff today! I am happy with this dress, without qualification.

I have some very, very similar patterns (including another New Look raglan top which could easily be lengthened), but I liked the pattern illustration and the general vibe of this dress so much, I went ahead and coughed up the extra $4 to have the best possible chance for success.


Normally I avoid the New Look patterns that start at size 10, as this tends to be too wide for me at the shoulder. This time I cut the 10 through the waist, tapered out to 14 at the hip through the hem, and did a 1" swayback adjustment. After putting the pieces together, the shoulder area was indeed too wide, and I took in the center back about 3/4" and back raglan sleeves 1" each--for a total reduction in shoulder width of a huge 2 3/4". But it was an easy change and everything else suited me fine. It would be possible to take in the side seams as much as 1" per side for a closer fit, but at the moment I feel satisfied with the roominess.

Could definitely be more fitted, but I like the looseness for now.
The shoulder dart worked well for me.
One reason I was eager to make a success of this version was my fondness for the fabric, a quilted polyester doubleknit from FabricMart (recent, but sold out). On the website, only the striped side of the knit was shown. I was so thrilled when it arrived to find that the "wrong" side had an adorable pattern of "x" shaped cross stitches. Both sides were so appealing that I wanted to find a fun way to use them both. The possibilities are endless, but I am happy with this combination. Wish I could get more of the fabric!


The one change I made was to the neckband. New Look included a different kind of pattern piece than the type I have seen before. Instead of a straight band seamed in the back, it was a notched pattern piece meant to be sewn together in a mitered v-shape in the front. That went together fine, but then I couldn't get it sewn onto the garment edge well. I needed two more tries to get the neckline to work out using the more common method (with a little pleat to form the vee at center front). First I used a narrower band like the pattern, just with the joining seam in the back. With the bulkiness of my double-layered fabric, though, it was just too narrow. I cut another band wider, and used a wider seam allowance. The pattern specifies 3/8" for the neckline, which would normally work great, but not in this fabric; 5/8" worked much better.

Pockets!
We all love pockets, and these are big! I didn't sew them exactly as directed--that would have made them stand away from the body slightly. I know from previous experience that I don't like that. But pinning them flat was no trouble and it worked out fine. These pockets have a stitched hem on the top edge and turned under edges on the side fronts and bottoms. The side seams are sewn into the garment side seams.

I've already made another version...in fleece! I did change the pockets in that one, since I didn't want to turn under an edge in fleece. The biggest disadvantage of the fleece version is that, once I have it on, I will not want to take it off until May. It's a slanket to end all slankets. I'll show it to you soon.

24 comments:

  1. Cute! This reminds me of pattern I had and make several times in the late 70's. I love every dress I made from that pattern. I wonder if I still have it? I need to look for it (or buy this New Look).

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    1. Nice to have such a quick option! Hope you find your pattern.

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  2. Very cute and I like your fabric choice too!

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  3. This just so cute. Love how you combined the different sides of the fabric. It really highlights the raglan sleeves and the sloping top edge of the pockets. Your V-neck is absolutely perfect.

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    1. Thanks, Jean Margaret--I had to work to get the v-neck to look good. Stripes are so unforgiving!!

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  4. So cute, your fabric choice is perfect and the V neck really turned out well. I have this pattern and want to make it, and will have to narrow the shoulders & neck area a lot as you did.

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    1. Andrea, I feel better to know that others also have to do this. Must. lift. weights. Thanks for your comment!

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  5. I recently started following your blog and have learned a lot, thank you. Love this dress but wonder if any of your other patterns are for a woven, I can't seem to find a similar one with raglan sleeves. I love your fabric choices for this one, so makes me wish I had access to a good fabric store as buying knits on-line is pretty hit and miss here in France.!

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    1. Hi Toulouse, thanks for following. I wish I had a suggestion for a woven raglan. I actually have always tried to avoid raglans because they are not supposed to be flattering for narrow shoulders, but they are just so in style right now. And easy to sew. I will keep an eye out for woven options and let you know if I see something.

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    2. Have you seen this dress from trendy UK independent pattern designer, available as a PDF http://www.thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk/tilly-and-the-buttons-francoise-dress. It is raglan, but not obvious on the sleeveless versions. Think there are lots of made examples on the blogosphere to see made up.

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  6. How cute and it's a perfect everyday, go anywhere and look great dress.

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    1. Thanks, Rhonda. I am happy with it as an everyday dress. Of course it would work even better if I had some height like you! Ah, if wishes were horses.

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  7. Your dress looks great! I had a similar fabric from JoAnns that was cr*p. It pilled, it became droopy after washing... I hope yours holds up better, because it's really cute!

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    1. Shams, I remember that adorable garment and how sad I was to hear that it wore out at once. I hope this one doesn't do that. I keep resolving to give up on poly knits for just this reason, and then I see them on FabricMart and cannot resist. Thanks for the reminder--I am going to stick to handwashing this one.

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  8. Oh that looks fantastic, Virginia, and the contrasting prints (or rather two sides of the same fabric!) are a brilliant idea. I can tell you like wearing it, your smile says it all! xxx

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    1. Thanks, Curtise! It's kind of sporty, which feels like a fun change of pace. That's probably what's behind the smile. Well, that and how comfortable it is!

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  9. It's gorgeous and such a practical piece! The fabric combo is also great. Love it on you!

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    1. Thanks, Micki! I can see this on you, too--have any more great knits lurking around?!!

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  10. I can see why you love this dress! I really like the fabric combination & the V-neck looks great.

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  11. What a charming dress! The combination of polka dot and stripes looks awesome. Love the big pockets too.

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  12. I love the raglan sleeves on this dress and have been eyeing the pattern for a while. Your dress is LOVELY and the fabric mixing is perfection!

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  13. I just found your blog and love your feminine yet down-to-earth approach! I have a similar build (though a bit shorter and a bit smaller), but can definitely use the sway back and narrow shoulder adjustments you've shown. I can totally relate to you in many ways (about the same age and always cold!). Merry Christmas and please keep sharing!

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