Review: Vogue 8900 | The Cutout Dress!

1:00 AM

This is Vogue 8900 - the cutout dress.  When this pattern was released, I felt like the only person that was feeling this look.  And that's okay, because I love when the pattern companies pull looks straight from the runway.  And I remembered this one to be fresh from Carven's Spring 2013.  Yes, a current look!
Carven did their dresses in red and black raffia.  And toile.  Those toile prints have been popping up all over the place this season.
Vogue 8900 description is:  Dress (close-fitting through bust) has cut-in armholes, shaped princess seams, back zipper and narrow hem.  I cut the midi length version of view B.
My description is this:  LBD - Little black dress for summer - sleeveless dress with round neckline, racer-front, cutout sides with lace insets, full skirt with an exposed zipper.   
This dress took quite a few alterations.  First was a FBA.  As the descriptions states:  it's VERY fitted through the bust.  It had to have been cut for a flat chest.  So I made a 1" FBA and added an additional dart at the front of the armhole.  I lengthened the skirt by 3" inches.  I wanted a true "midi" length.
I added lace insets to the cutouts, like view A suggests. 
And I had to do a swayback adjustment.  I've noticed that I need to do this if a dress like this doesn't have a waist seam.  And I also added an exposed zipper, like the runway/RTW version.
I used a linen-blend that has polyester in it.  Which I seriously don't mind.  As much as I love linen, I'd rather not look like I slept in my clothes.  The polyester cuts down on the wrinkling.  And I used black lace for the insets.  Both from my stash.  This has to be one of the most comfortable dresses I've made in a long time.  It's the perfect length.  It's not short and it's not maxi, that I'm forever stepping on while I walk! LOL
Dress: Vogue 8900, similar here; sandals: Asos.com gladiators; bangles: Amrita Singh.

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93 comments

  1. You are looking runway ready dahling. Loving the sandals.

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  2. The dress is awesome. The sandals really add a cool touch to it.

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  3. wow definitely a runway dress - beautiful

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  4. It's a long time since Vogue has done anything quite this up to date, you have made it very nicely.

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  5. I've been reading your blog for some years now and I love everything you make - such an inspirational and fearless sewer you are! This gorgeous and unique dress suits you to a T.

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  6. This is such a beautiful dress, Erica.

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  7. That is such a great dress for your figure! You look stunning. Hmmm... maybe in red and a little shorter... for dressup ;-)

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  8. You have sold me on so many patterns. Again, I overlooked this one, now it's in the queue. Fantastic styling!

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  9. Stunning dress, and you wear it well! You look fabulous. Love the sandals too, they work great with the dress.

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  10. I think this dress is so flattering on you and you have styled it so well. Love the sandals. This has a goth/sexy edge that I love. You are an inspiration.

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  11. Absolutely love, love, love this. The styling is AMAZING. https://www.facebook.com/SassySewingBees

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  12. Anonymous9:24 AM

    Looking fantastic as usual, Erica! Well done!

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  13. You have a really good taste in clothes. I love checking out your blog!

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  14. You weren't the only one... I was also feeling it. Of course you just next leveled it with your gladiators and YOUR AMAZING HAIR. SUCH. A. GOOD. LOOK. You're such a sewing badass.

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  15. Just beautiful, Erica. I love the lace inserts -- and the sandals you've styled the dress with too!

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  16. Gorgeous, and I love it with the sandals!

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  17. Love the dress, love the hair. You have so much fabric knowledge.

    http://mykurves.blogspot.com

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  18. E! As usual - fantastic result and great shoes! You were smart to do a FBA that was significant - it does seem to be cut for the small chested woman. I may have to pick up this dress (except I have linebacker shoulders). But, what I like about this dress on you is this - it makes your figure look fab - and accentuates your excellent features - arms and shoulders small waist. . . great job!!

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  19. ERICA!!! I am currently singing "Did you ever know that you're my hero"!! I bought that pattern as soon as Vogue, etc. had the $1.99, $2.99 and $3.00 sale online. LOVE IT! But you made me ADORE it even more. Your version is magnificent...so SEXY yet effortless!

    More than anything, I'm glad you did all the hard work for me HAHA!! Besides the FBA and lengthening, was it true to your normal size?

    Again...GORGEOUS!

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  20. Well done Erica B!

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  21. You're so stylish! I love how you make these glorious clothes out of patterns I could never imagine wearing.

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  22. Wow!! Love it......It's gothic, chic and couture looking, all at the same time and with a super trendy vibe.

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  23. I saw this on Instagram and couldn't wait to see it on you because I knew it was going to be a winner! It.is.stunning!

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  24. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this pattern & ur version is amazing. U think this pattern could work in a ponte knit?

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    1. I think it's a pretty loose fitting dress, but a ponte would probably eliminate the need to make any bust adjustments. But make sure to stabilize the neck and shoulders and armholes. Thanks!

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  25. This dress is amazing! I soo want to make it now.

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  26. Anonymous6:15 PM

    Love this! I'm a massive fan of Carven, and this looks super cool!

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  27. Pefect adaptation of Carvens dress. I also love how you styled it. Just beautiful.

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  28. You killed it again Erica!

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  29. Beautiful!! Well done, styled with perfection!!

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  30. Your work is impeccable! Love the Hair down to the shoes you paired with this dress...you really do have talent beyond just sewing!

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  31. I loved this dress when it was first introduced. You did a bang up job on it too. The whole outfit is on point.

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  32. Gorgeous and love the lace insets!

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  33. So cool and modern... I love Carven. Too bad it's the middle of winter here in New Zealand - otherwise I'd definitely be making this pattern asap!

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  34. This is such cool dress and you've done a great job. The dress fits you like a glove. I am also sewing this design at the moment so your review is very useful. I'm using a royal blue denim with a silver shot effect to it and I'm also toying whether to add a lace panel but I'm not sure because the lace is floppier than the denim and I am afraid it won't match weight wise.

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    1. Thanks Nathalie and good luck with your dress!

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  35. This looks great on you. Thank you for the details! I also have to do a FBA paired with a sway back adjustment. I really dig those sandals with the midi length skirt.

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  36. In a million years I would never think this dress would work. Secondarily, thanks for always linking/ noting the RTW inspiration. Those things always just escape me.

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    1. A million? LOL Cutout dresses are everywhere. I seem to have a penchant for remembering that I've seen a design before! Thanks Cidell!

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  37. You worked this dress! I love everything about it.

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  38. Beautiful dress! How awesome that you made it yourself! The gladiator sandals are the perfect accent!

    Cassie
    http://stylecassentials.blogspot.com

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  39. Wow, such a cool dress. I love the cut-in armwholes. You look awesome!

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  40. I saw this one when it came out also. I love the bodice. I'm fighting with the length though. Hmmmmm. I think I would shorten it to above the knee. The gladiators are too cool :)

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  41. Was Just looking up this pattern - You BURNED IT!!! (that's a NY compliment meaning it is awesome :)

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