Saturday, November 30, 2013

ROAR !

Size: size 3, graded up to a 4 at the waist and hips.
Alterations: shortened the bodice by 2 cm.
Fabric: leopard print jersey, purchased locally.


It's snowing today. I'm home, snuggled against the radiator and I have this dress I made and photographed more than a month ago, and it's about time I blog about it.

I don't know if this pattern needs an introduction, really, but it's the Lady Skater dress by Kitschy Coo, and everyone loves it, me included. After seeing a few gorgeous version out there, I had to give it ago!
I'm so happy with this pattern that I have not only already worn this dress a lot of times, but I've also made a second version, which I'm sure it won't be the last. I mean, knits are so comfy! Once you try them, you can't really live without them.

The pattern instructions for this dress are pretty great as well, and full of tips for newbies or for someone that needs reassurance like me. The only step I didn't like is that instructions have you stitch one shoulder seam, bind the neckline and then stitch the second shoulder. I prefer to bind the neckline in the round, it looks better on the inside and it avoids the risk of a mismatched shoulder seam.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, I shortened the bodice by 2 cm so that the waist seam would fall at my natural waist. It looks like it's still too long in these photos, but I actually went back and took in the side seams at waist level by about 3cm, making it really fitted. Result: it looks perfect now. Maybe the excess ease was giving an optical illusion?

The only other modification I did was the sleeve length; the cap sleeve was too short for my taste and I didn't have enough fabric for the 3/4 length, so I cut the sleeve pieces as long as I could and they turned out in this elbow length, which is coincidentally my favorite in RTW. A very lucky incident!

This dress was the final push I needed to conquer my irrational fear of knits. Not only I'm not afraid anymore, I really want to sew more and more with them. My only problem is that I can't find knit fabric locally, or better, I only find either ugly or expensive knits here. I guess it's because sewing hasn't conquered Italy yet, so there isn't a huge request. If you know any European shops (because shipping from the US costs a fortune and takes forever) that carry cute, cheap reasonably priced knits, please help expand my fabric addiction!


Finally, because it's Black Friday Weekend and I enjoy a good sale even though I don't celebrate Thanksgiving, here are a couple links I stumbled upon that may interest you too:

Craftsy is having a HUGE sale for both classes and craft supplies, like fabric and yarn. This would be the perfect chance for me to enroll in a knitting class for beginners and finally get my act together. Although all the sewing classes are pretty tempting as well...

✄ Papercut Patterns is having 15% off all patterns (through Monday 12/2). I want to try one of their patterns so bad it's not even funny.

✄ Christine Haynes is having 20% off everything in the shop (and she's donating 10% of every sale to the LA Regional Food Bank), using code "thanksgiving" (through Monday 12/2). Do yourself a favor and purchase the beautiful Emery dress pattern.

✄ Grainline Studio has 20% off the entire shop, using the code GIVETHANKS20 (through Monday 12/2).

Happy shopping!

40 comments:

  1. Very cute. I love making knit dresses - so fast to sew and easy to wear! I like myfabrics for knits, take a look.

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  2. I'm so on the fence with this pattern. I like it on everyone, but I'm so afraid of how knit dresses sometimes cling! Do you find that to be a problem? This dress is very cute, and I hope you find a source of beautiful knits soon!

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  3. There's a UK shop on ebay called Debzart (I think) that sells knit for £4pm! It's the exact same knit Phase 8 use for theire dresses. I ordered some stretch lace from them last week and the quality is superb, quick postage and great service. Love your lady skater. I too am a knit convert, so comfy!

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  4. So cute! Love it in the animal print!

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  5. Gorgeous! I've just bought the pattern and seeing your version has reminded me I have some zebra print knit in my stash that might work... Kitschy Coo has 20% off too with the code BLACKFRIDAY, so you the Lady Skater pattern is just £5.76 :)

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  6. It's very cute indeed. Just a word of warning on 'cheap' knits - you do get what you pay for. Synthetic knits don't wear well, and I find it so disappointing when something looks bally and crappy after just a few washes! I've got a new rule that I only buy wool knits or cotton with just a little Lycra or elastane. Even viscose doesn't seem to last! Good luck! :)

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  7. Wow I love that - and I agree, what a perfect sleeve length. It must have been fate x

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  8. Such a cute dress! And it looks so good on you. I haven't found a knit dress that I would like to sewbfor myself, but that might be it, I should give it a try. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  9. I love your dress!!!! I have to check out this pattern.
    There is a spanish online fabric store with huge selection of knits at very reasonable price: www.telas.es Shipping to Italy is around 7€.

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  10. Great lady skater! Love that fabric! I just made my first one over the weekend and I love it. I'll blog about it soon. I have the same issue with finding knits I like. I am really attracted to the look and feel of the expensive ones and boy are they expensive! Cheap knits are awful to sew with. Girl Charlee has a great selection, but I'm not sure what their international shipping prices are like. I really like to feel my knits before I buy them too!

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  11. Great dress! I've got the Lady Skater pattern ready to make once I get over my own fear of knits (good to know I'm not the only one that suffers from this fear) - all the versions that I've seen are lovely so hopefully I'll get round to it soon!

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  12. I LOVE this dress - the fabric looks amazing. I've not had any luck sewing with stretch thus far, but one day I hope to be able to whip up something fabulous like this!

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  13. Silvia - Sewing PrincessDecember 2, 2013 at 11:47 AM

    Prova a fare un giro da Giesse Scampoli http://www.giessescampoli.com/negozi.html oppure online su tessuti.com

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  14. Raow indeed! Looks great, the fabric is so perfect for a skater dress.

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  15. Meoooooow! I love it!

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  16. Wow, this is so cute! I love the print you chose! You look adorable! I have a weird phobia of wearing knit dresses (they feel too clingy and snug), but I'm seriously tempted to give this a try!

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  17. Rawr!!! I've been wanting to try this pattern but I've been so nervous that it wouldn't be flattering on me! I think you look ravishing in your lady skater (and really, all versions I've seen have been incredibly flattering - so why the fear??) I love your fabric pick! Good animal prints are hard to find!

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  18. Such a nice knit. These are ace for winter and yours is lovely xxx

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  19. I've seen so many great skater dresses pass by lately! It is a great pattern. I've doubted about buying it but it so simular to my renfrew dresses. So I'll just be staring at yours :)

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  20. I haven't been able to find nice patterned knits in Wellington (NZ) either, and shipping is crazy to NZ from everywhere. Plus the exchange rate makes it even worse.


    I also love elbow length in my knit stuff, so all my own-made t-shirts are that length too

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  21. This is really pretty and looks so comfy! I'm still afraid to sew with knits so maybe I should try out this pattern, hopefully the same will happen (do you have a serger?). But the thing is that I will have the same problem as you, in Spain it's difficult to find nice and quality knit fabrics. Home sewing is still not seen as an alternative way to dress so the faric shops tend to carry more festive fabrics than everyday ones... (I love festive so I can live with that!)

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  22. I do have a serger, but I always baste my seams at the sewing machine, for better control and because I just can't eyeball seam allowance with my serger. You don't need a serger with this pattern, just a ball point needle (and a maybe a double needle if you want good looking finishes). Do try it! I'm sure I'll take away the fear from you as well!

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  23. It's easy to draft this dress from a well-fitting Renfrew, you were very smart! :)

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  24. Are kidding me? This dress would look stunning on you!

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  25. If you don't like the clingy sensation, this might not be the dress for you... Although I can totally see you in it!

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  26. Just take your time, use a ball point needle and look for online tutorials for beginners and knits (there are some great one by Steph of Sewing Cake). I promise it's super easy!

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  27. I promise this dress will help with your fear! :)

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  28. I drooled the first time I came across Girl Charlee and then I tried to estimate the shipping costs to Italy... Let's just say it's not very reasonable...

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  29. That's an excellent point!
    I'm just trying to find the middle ground between quality and cost, but of course I don't want to compromise too much. That's also why I don't like too much to buy fabric online, but I'm desperate at this point!

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  30. Thank you! It's debzzart and postage to Italy is not specified, but I'll ask!

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  31. If you mean around the stomach area, it does, but I guess it also depends on the fabric you choose.
    It's not a problem for me, I like my knits to be form-fitting, but if you don't, I'm afraid this might not be the pattern for you...

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  32. Wow, the fit is perfect! I too had to shorten the waist a bit, but forgot to lengthen the hem :( Guess I will be wearing mine with tights haha :)

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  33. Thanks! If you're curious you can check out my renfrew dresses here http://bouquetofbuttons.be/tag/renfrew/ :)

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  34. I love this style and have seen lots of peolp rave about this pattern, very tempted to give it a go myself! x

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