The Inspired Dress

Hello all! I am picking myself and brushing myself off. I can't let one bad experience hold me down.

I don't know if you have seen the new Vogue Summer patterns, but there are some really good ones. I found Vogue #1236, shown below, designed by DKNY and immediately was drawn to it (and a few others you will be seeing soon I'm sure). I like a loose fitting, cool dress I can belt in just the right place...

I ran right out to Hancock Fabrics because they had Vogue on sale this weekend and the new pattenrs weren't in yet. That gave me time to think I might like a similar style with sleeves. I love the drapey neckline, the belt, the stripes... I was flipping through new look and inspiration struck.

I found New Look 6803. I was immediately drawn to version B.
Drapey neckline? Check!
Sleeves? Check!
Stripes? Check!

I bought the seersucker on sale at Hancock Fabric. I read some reviewes at Pattern Review, and some creative seamsters cut the back piece on the fold to remove a seam from the back. Genius and a challenge! I have never adjusted like that. I taped back 5/8" from that back center piece and crossed my fingers. I laid the pattern out and realized I needed to do some creative cutting and folding to make that happen. I folded it with selvages together and a fold on either side and laid out my pieces as you can see below.

That gave me plenty of room and some leftover fabric, which is always nice because I have teacher friends that like my scraps for projects. I will keep you updated as the dress comes together.