Have you all survived the Christmas whirl of food, gifts, visiting; repeat? Our Christmas consisted of a rambunctious Christmas Eve (with requisite ball skirts) and a very quite Christmas Day in PJs. And today is our first 6 inches of snow! *happy happy snow dance* Now it feels like Christmas! 🙂
Last week, in the middle of the preparation rush, I made up a winter version of Vogue 1250, simply because I had extra of “the ugliest fabric I’ve ever seen”, according to DD3. But how could I refuse when it’s full of interesting patterns and so many of my favourite colours? It’s a heavier ITY knit from EmmaOneSock. It’s a patchwork pattern that is printed in blocks, and I thought it would be great for a casual Burda top.
I used #130 from the 9/2012 issue. It was sewn on a whim, and literally took about 1 hour to cut and sew, with fitting towards the end. I significantly altered the pattern as you’ll see.
The top is 30 inches from the back neck. I didn’t want a tunic that long, so I shortened it to 24 inches. It’s also very loose fitting, and I didn’t want to need to wear a belt, so I scaled down a size through my hips. I wanted it to stay at hip level and not slide down to mid-thigh length.
The instructions were very simple to follow, for me, but I’m getting used to Burda’s way of writing, I think. They suggested trimming the seam allowance from the back neckline, adding ribbon to the right side of the seamline, turning it in and stitching it into place. I used a strip of the ITY cut on the cross grain instead – simply a personal preference!
I added about 3 inches to the depth of the neck facing so there’s no risk of the wrong side flipping out.
And sandwiched the facing with the shoulder seams.
This is in the instructions, and it’s a great and easy way to attach a cowl facing neatly and securely.
I shortened the sleeves and did gather the bottom. It would have been bulky in the ITY, and my previous experience with such gathered sleeves is annoying for my current work requirements around the house!
The Vogue dress is odd, but I’m liking the oddness of it. When I put it on to check fitting, DH remarked that it was a nice dress.
Unfortunately, I didn’t quite have enough fabric, so the skirt is one size smaller than it should be. To remedy this, I stitched the “side seams” (very long darts in reality) with a 1/4″ seam allowance and added a 2 inch strip down the CB of the skirt. It’s not the prettiest, but it fits and looks nice from the front! *head desk* I’m hoping no one will be looking at the back much, although it doesn’t seem to be such a horrid patch fix given the patchwork print.
Mezzo Couture 
The dress is interesting-I’m glad you sewed a top as well-I often cut two or more things from the same fabric so as to get the perfect layout and not waste any bits-just jam everything in there that I can XD I like the top too-I really prefer Burda’s fit to that of all the big four.. Interesting that you used facings for that-I generally leave a 1.5cm allowance at the neckline and turn it in, except when there’s a drape or something similar at the neck line. The patch isn’t noticeable-more of a design feature!
I agree with you about the facings – hate them in knits and always do a strip edging. But I really needed the facing on the cowl neckline for both the top and the dress!
Both turned out great, the dress goes perfect with the tights and shoes. Don’t you just love “the mouths of babes”?
I really REALLY love this one!! The fit, style, fabric – just absolutely PERFECT on you! Great job!!! 🙂
I think both of those look really fun! As for the patch, ya gotta do what ya gotta do, right? No non-stitcher will notice.
Great looking dress and top. The print is definetly in your colors. I also did not notice the patch in the back of the skirt til you mentioned it.
Just found your blog… and followed you. Looks like you will entertain me with some good reading! I love the fabric and the pattern- and the SAVE on the dress when you ran out of fabric! Well done!
Beautifu! And I love how you styled it with the grey tights!
Another 1250 stunner! Looks very pretty …and able to dress up or down. I have a couple versions in too-slinky ITY…your heavier weight fabric works much better! Also love the Burda top…the pattern looks great.
Hah about the comment from DD3 about the fabric – charmer that she is? Sigh. Mine do stuff like that too so I’m guessing that they won’t be growing out of it after all? Yours being older than mine…
I like the dress, even with the panel added at the back! Looks comfy too though I bet the heels get kicked off when at home :o).
PS what’s ITY?
Well, according to internet research, ITY stands for Interlock Twist Yarn. These ITY Knits are 92% Polyester/ 8% Lycra, and I usually buy mine from EmmaOneSock.com. All the ITY knits I have ordered from her are quite heavy, which suits a dress like Vogue 1250 better than a lighter weight knit, imho. The weight of the fabric makes it drape well and skim over the body well. Hope this helps!
Very much thank you
The fabric is interesting – made up it looks fabulous and your panel is certainly hidden by the actual design. Cute garments – they look great on you!
Ooo, I’m glad to see thatBurda top sewn up. It’s been on my “maybe”list for a while now. And I think with such a busy print the patch is not really noticeable on the dress.
Merry Christmas!
I love the fabric so much!! Great job.
That’s a terrific top and skirt. Nice job making the skirt fit.
I agree with your husband! And I love cowl necks (I take note about adding depth)
Enjoy your snow!
You know that this is one of my favorite patterns – having made 3 summer dresses from it and a top – so I was thrilled to see your winter version. Personally I love the fabric choice! Second, I didn’t notice a patch until I read about it and then I had to search for it. Don’t worry no one will ever notice it! Finally I love, love, love your winter version…I may have to see if I can make a winter one for myself!