Monday, October 02, 2017

Review: Trend Patterns | TPC11 Knot Front Dress!

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 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.


8 comments:

  1. 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!

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    1. I 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!

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  2. Aren'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.

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    1. I am! And as an added bonus, we're still practically in summertime. Thanks Nancy!

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  3. That is such a cute dress! I love it.

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  4. Really cute and you have my attention with a bias binding finish rather than facings ...
    Do 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?

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    1. Specifically about linings? No. I just talk about them as they pertain to a project. Thank you!

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