Monday, September 2, 2013

Lisette Attache Dress - Simplicity 1666

Before starting this dress, I stewed about it for a ridiculous amount of time.  Like thinking-about-it-in-the-middle-of-the-night ridiculous!  I worried about whether the style would suit me and, once I decided it might, about the best fabric choice and then how to get it to fit.  There aren't many versions online so I asked for some advice about what size to cut from the very helpful ladies on the Lisette forum.

And then I made a muslin with a zipper even (!).  But I wasn't brave enough to cut the size I should have from my real fabric (silly me!).  I cut size 16 at the shoulders, graduating to 18 at the chest with an extra inch at the bust then a 20 at the waist.  I ended up taking it in a lot at the waist and, after wearing it, I think I could have taken it in more.  I don't know why I worried about fitting this, though.  The princess seams make it really easy to take in a bit here or add a bit there.

Worrying aside, it was a quick sew.  And it fit the bill for what I wanted: a casual dress that I would be comfortable wearing.  I wore it twice on our recent holiday -- with a pearl necklace to an evening performance of Anne of Green Gables and then again when we went out for a lobster supper.  I felt slightly more dressed up than most people on those two occasions but still comfortable and not out of place.

Excuse the wrinkles, apparently I didn't do a very good job ironing it after getting it out of the suitcase and then this is after wearing it for awhile :).


Pattern: Simplicity 1666, bought at Fabricland $8.76
Fabric: Kaufman Cotton/Linen Chambray Shirting bought from Fabric.com, used 71 inches $35.50
Notions: zipper $2.08

Total: $46.34


10 comments:

  1. So pretty! The fabric looks like it has a bit of a sheen to it. Very nice!

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    1. thank-you! yes, it is slightly shiny. I liked it because it seemed a little more dressy than plain chambray.

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  2. Kaufman cotton/linen! Swoon!
    Suzie

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    1. it is lovely fabric. I just need to work on my ironing skills :)

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  3. The dress looks great on you!

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    1. thank-you! It's a great pattern and much easier to sew/fit than I thought it would be

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  4. Love your fabric choice! Great fit! :)

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  5. Replies
    1. that's so sweet, thank-you! It's a great pattern, I'd love to see what you do with it, Nicole!

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