MY NOT SO TINY BUBBLES DRESS : : VOGUE V8886
So. Another day…another shift dress. That makes two in a row and I’m not unhappy. Both my Colourblocked Shift Dress and my Not So Tiny Bubbles Dress are really comfortable. There’s no choking…you know…that not so nice feeling when you sit down and the front neckline tries to strangle you. Maybe the shape of the bateau {boat line} neckline helps. I think this pattern has a subtle sixties vibe and it was actually the top and pants view that prompted me to purchase. On closer examination of the actual pattern pieces, I could see I wasn’t going to get my slim fit Audrey Hepburn silhouette that I’ve been seeking. The hunt for the perfect vintage inspired pant continues…fingers crossed that Vogue V9189 will be the one.
Very Easy Vogue V8886 Available Here was a straightforward sew, but a bit of a fitting challenge. I didn’t sew a muslin….it’s rare when I do….and after basting the main pieces together it was clear that I needed a size smaller than the pattern recommendations. That part was an easy enough fix…I pinned the pattern pieces back onto the fabric and cut out the next size down. But even with that, I had to make the bust smaller which proved fussy. Fuss that could have been avoided had I made a muslin. You see, this pattern comes with multiple cup sizes…a bonus when it comes to perfecting the fit…and…if I had done a muslin I could have simply cut out the pattern pieces in the smaller cup size. Next time I’ll get it right. Okay, now that you’re all scrutinizing the booby fit, you’re probably also wondering about the rippling across the front bodice….the dress is fine, no ripples…it’s me that’s wonky.
So. Moving on…V8886 instructions include a full lining…I used silky bemberg…and the technique used for attaching the sleeve lining to the bodice is really cool. It makes for a neatly finished, fully machine stitched lining. The pattern calls for multiple hooks and eyes at the back of the collar but I left them off, much preferring the lie of the collar as is. The only real tweak I made to the pattern was to add inseam pockets. When laying out the pattern I paid {or thought I paid} special attention to the placement of the bubbles. I’m pleased with the front…not so much the back. The back pieces are almost identical…not the random look I was going for at all.
All righty…one last word about construction…I could not, for the life of me, figure out the finishing instructions. The method for sewing the back vent so that the lining was neatly encased had me totally confused. I read those instructions every which way from Sunday. I flipped, flapped and pinned fabric upside down, inside out and backwards. Yet, I never, ever got it right, LOL. So, my sewing friends, do steps 18 – 24 make sense to you?
40 Comments
Very elegant and such pretty colours! And definitely a groovy 60s vibe happenning. Yep, I would have given up on those vent instructions, so am no help…
Beautiful dress! The necline is amazing and the print brings so much joy! Love it.
Wish you a wonderful start to your week.
Stef
So cute, love the retro vibe! That is impressive that you wore it for a while and no wrinkles, cotton fabric should come with an iron most times LOL.
Pattern instructions are the most annoying part of sewing. I often wonder how many people give up on sewing because of bad instructions. I've made some doll clothes from a company that has the best instructions. I was just reviewing a pattern from one of the standard companies that made me appreciate the extra effort the other company puts forth just that much more! So many times they are either vague or clear as mud.
Another beautiful dress! I do really love those dots and the dress details. You look gorgeous as always 🙂 xx
LOVE the dress! This is very similar to my 1960's vintage dress in orange. You've seen it right?
http://suzannecarillo.com/1960s-style/
Except yours is much better due to pockets.
I find that neckline so flattering. The fabric is wild.
When I looked at those pattern instructions it was like trying to read Mandarin. I got a migraine just glancing at them.
bisous
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Very Easy Vogue? Hahaha!!! If you attend the Einstein School of Sewing maybe. I'd probably just pull out my scissors. Heh.
This dress is all kinds of fabulous! The big dots and colours are perfect for the retro-ish vibe of the style. I love the big collar. And this piece fits you to perfection. I do not detect any flaws in the boobal area. Heh.
Could it be there were no wrinkles on the dress because you were planking in your seat at the theatre so avoid them? Heh.
It's so Murphy's Law that you hit rain at that particular time. But still, you chose the perfect backdrop.
Nope. I read it twice and still not sure what I read. Those instructions are wack. The dress is fab though!! The neckline is very pretty. I tend to choke in sheath dresses, maybe this is the pattern for me.
I sent the blog post to my mom to see if she could make sense of your instructions—of course, there could be a mistake—the person who wrote them & put it together is only human, right?
I love this dress!! Part of it is, of course, the colors!! But that neckline is quite retro and reminds me of many of my knitting patterns from the 50's!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Gorgeous dress design on you. All of the colors are you. I like that you are adding some class to the mainland!
Shirl
A little bit of a 60's vibe?? A LOT of a 60's vibe. So super cute. Or neato as I think we used to say back then. I just love a shift dress. It's just about the most perfect kind of dress. This really fits you like a dream, a champagne dream! Oh My Gosh. I read those sewing instructions about three times and they just got more and more confusing to the point where I kind of thought that maybe they were in a foreign language. You are a seamstress genius.
Hooray for the virtual tour, Sue! It would be great to see the city from the water …
Today you share another of your beautiful dresses! Maxy bubbles and a comfortable neckline … and it doesn't crease … cotton fabric … everything sounds perfect!
You look lovely, my dear!
Gorgeous dress, pretty fabric and a lovely neckline!!
I am feeling the 60's vibe, and you look smashing in this dress! Great fabric and wonderful shape. I miss Vancouver! Remember, if a certain crazy man gets elected president here, I am on my way. xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thanks Barbara. If we were sitting together, Australian wine in hand…we just might figure it out.
Thanks Stef. I agree…this print really does bring joy!
LOL…so true. Cell phones have gotten so much smaller over the years…you'd think they could do the same with irons!
That's a very good point about how some people could become discouraged from sewing if they can't understand the instructions. That would be sad. 🙁 At least I can say that for the most part, I haven't had too many question mark moments.
Thank you Hana! It's always a joy when you stop by! xo
SQUEEEEE!!!! Thank you Suzanne! You are a connoisseur when it comes to vintage and I value your opinion greatly! And how cool is it that my dress is similar to your fantastic orange vintage sheath!!! Thanks for linking to it!!!
Thanks Melanie! I thought so too…about the dots and colours having a retro-ish vibe.
LOLOLOL…planking in the theatre might be frowned upon so I didn't risk it.
Thanks Amy. LOL…that was me, reading and re-reading. And then I thought I needed the fabric at hand, but that didn't help either.
Thanks so much Jodie! We that love to sew, love to commiserate, share, and learn from each other. And yes…it might just be that there is a missing step or an incorrect drawing…and also to be pointed out, it wasn't a make or break part of the construction process for me. I managed a perfectly acceptable hem…it's just a little different than what was pictured.
Aw thanks so much Shirl! xo
OH YES…things were indeed neato…or if we really loved them…they'd be neato cool! Eep….now you've got me thinking about these neato cool white boots I had as a kid.
Yes, it will be fun to take some photos from the ferry! Thanks for your lovely comment Dan!
Thanks Marianne! The neckline is the very special part of this dress for me!
Thanks Patti! Vancouver misses you!!!
Love this, Sue! Gorgeous 1960s vibe and a super-duper cheery print. You look fabulous!
Those instructions look seriously baffling. I tend to cut out the pieces and make the rest up as I go along. God alone know how I used to manage a brigade of staff and a million quid budget when i can't follow an instruction leaflet. xxx
It definitely has a sixties vibe but it is also very modern. Don't know why. The fun fabric? Anyway, the dress is lovely. Suits you really well. Makes you tall and lean too. And how do you always come up with pumps in the right colour? Do you buy them a dozen? 12 colours? Yes please? Kudos to your husband for the pictures. The background is there to make you shine.
Your pattern question is far too complicated for me.
Greetje
I love it! I love the colors and the bubbles are so fun and I think this was the perfect pattern for that fabric.
I cannot get over how clever you are to make this dress out of nothing,and then the gorgeous shoes. Fantastic, dear Sue.
Besossssssssssssssss
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Thanks Vix! I rarely, if ever, follow the layout recommendations and although I do read the instructions, I sometimes change the methods or order that I do things. I guess it's because our minds are in creative mode! xo
Thanks Greetje. I think I've pretty much shown all my shoes, LOL. I have lucked out with some fun colours and then of course, I can try and match my fabrics to the shoes I have in my closet!
Thanks Lynn! I bought this fabric at my local store not knowing for sure what I would make. This pattern does indeed feel just right for it!
Thank you Sacramento! Besos to you too! xoxox
Beautiful dress Sue! And those instructions don't make sense to me either! 😉
Thanks Heather! The instructions may well remain a mystery to all…
Very, very cool dress! From the cheerful hues to the super fun bubbles, this is one of those garments that just exudes happiness.
Many hugs,
♥ Jessica
Thanks Jessica!!! And hugs back atcha! Hope you're enjoying a lovely lakeside spring! xo
The fabric is so pretty. I thought for sure it was linen. I bet lining it is what gives it that extra something. The dress looks like it was made for you – and hey, it was! I luv the style with that collar. I've never lined anything that I can recall. Seems scary.
It does have a feel similar to linen. It also unravels like a beast, LOL. Lining isn't that scary once you've done it Pao, but as my friend says, it's like making two garments instead of one.