I love Trend Patterns' design aesthetic. Lucy has a way of picking chic, but easy designs that can be translated to the home sewist that still packs that high-end, luxe brand quality and style.
This is Trend Patterns TPC 11 Knot Front Dress. The fabric is Plain Soft Polyester Dress Fabric from Minerva Crafts.com.
This is my 3rd pattern from Trend Patterns, so I pretty much have a good grasp on the sizing. I cut a size 12 in the bodice and graded out to a 14 for the skirt. I added 2 inches to the length
This pattern sews up quick, but there a couple of things to consider ahead of time: unlike most patterns, Trend Patterns are written using the Metric System. So be prepared to convert. And also, they are drafted with 1 cm seam allowances. That's 3/8" to us Imperial users. But 3/8" seam allowances offers you the benefit of not having to do a lot of trimming. So I could get use to that!
The only modification I made was finishing the neckline with binding instead of a facing. I will avoid a facing whenever I can.
The dress has a lot of wearing ease with the adjustable tie-front. The lower edge of the bodice and the top edge of the skirt are also finished with seam binding. You can make your own like I did or buy some.
It also has an invisible back bodice zipper.
The cutout detail in the back shows only a modest amount of skin and creates a cute detail. It gives an otherwise basic dress interest. Someone on Instagram asked if I could wear regular underwear. The answer is YES! No specialty undies like SPANX, but regular underwear is fine. The top edge of the back skirt sits in the same place a normal skirt would.
And we all love a dress with pockets!
This is such a cute dress that packs a big style punch. I could definitely see myself making this one again.
I love Lucy's designs too and own 2 of her patterns which I haven't sewn up yet but keep meaning to! Love your dress :) I saw this one but I wasn't sure that styling could work for me - I know it only reveals a bit of skin in the back but even that might make me too self conscious to wear it but on you it looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteI definitely get that Kathleen. That's not my favorite part of my back; I'd rather show skin in the halter top area. But it's a cute dress and I said, "What the hell?!" Thanks Kathleen!
DeleteAren't you glad that white shoes are no longer verboten after Labor Day? They look fabulous with this dress. I like the high neck but skin showing in the back. A nice surprise but still modest.
ReplyDeleteI am! And as an added bonus, we're still practically in summertime. Thanks Nancy!
DeleteThat is such a cute dress! I love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carmen!
DeleteReally cute and you have my attention with a bias binding finish rather than facings ...
ReplyDeleteDo you have a post that talks about linings or do you have any thoughts to share there? I'm always tempted to line the dickens out of things in the hunt for a smooth finish, but maybe that's overkill?
Specifically about linings? No. I just talk about them as they pertain to a project. Thank you!
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