Vogue 1288 has been on my to sew list for a while. So long, that the pattern is currently out-of-print. I knew from the beginning that I would always make this dress using a sequin fabric. It was just meant for it. Then I ran across this perfect Blue and white Pailette Sequin Fabric at Mood Fabrics.com and is also my Mood Sewing Network post for this month. So it was all was kismet!
I cut the pattern size 12 and lengthened by 3 inches.
The sequin pailettes are sporadically placed on a polyester mesh backing, so I decided to underline it with this polyester stretch crepe de chine.
But when I tried it on, the sequins on the seams allowance were way too scratchy. I know a lot of recommendations are to remove the sequins on the seam allowance. I tested out swatches to see how it sewed. And a Microtex needle sewed through the sequins like butter. And to resolve the scratchiness, I used the remainder of my my white poly crepe to line the dress.
I felt my fabrics had a significant amount of stretch, so I omitted my zipper.
The overlay part was really easy, and just as the name suggests, an "overlay".
It's sewn with no lining and a raw finished hem. And instead of using the instructions from the pattern, I didn't use the seam binding. I allowed the sequin fabric to create finished edges.
And I did't have to hem the dress. The raw edge was perfect.
Styling tip: Sequin dresses are grandiose attention grabbers by nature. So accessorizing should be minimal. The dress will always be the focal point, so there is NEVER a need for statement jewelry. I wore silver accessories and no necklace was needed. I wore strappy sandals that would pull colors from the dress and carried a simple white clutch.
