November 23, 2012

Sew: Simplicity 2215 Liberty Dress

 
 
Simplicity 2215, how I love thee?! I've made the skirt three times now so it was time for the dress version. I asked you all what to do with this Liberty way back in March. It was a choice between the Colette Peony dress and Simplicity 2215. The Simplicity won out.
 
 
 
Yet, it was almost not meant to be. I had great difficulty with the neckline gaping, both back and front, and was very tempted to cut the bodice off and turn it into a skirt. Wouldn't it be a great skirt with a red grosgrain ribbon as the waistband?!

 
 

Despite the temptation I persisted and make a few alterations to achieve the finished result. I inserted two small darts in the back neckline to remove the gaping. Thankfully Liberty prints are very forgiving. I couldn't use darts in the front so I asymmetrically overlapped the front by an extra 1cm at the top to remove the gaping. I then simply stitched the buttons on in a straight line. The bottom four buttons are non-functioning and stitched right through. The top button is also decorative with a snap to close the front. You need that to open so you can get your head out.

Project Details
Pattern: Simplicity 2215 Dress
Fabric: Liberty Tatum Dark Blue from Shaukat
Alterations: Inserted two small darts in back neckline and overlapped front top by an extra 1cm.



I really need to sort out this alteration for back and front neckline gaping. I have noticed it a lot in dresses I made last year which have high necklines. Fit for Real People has no helpful suggestions. Any suggestions?

 
 
I'm really pleased with my new Liberty dress. I do love a bit of Liberty. I'm actually sewing a Liberty Lonsdale dress for Mr H's birthday party tomorrow. It is coming together superbly.
 
I'm off to bake a rainbow cake!! Wish me luck.
 
L x
 


11 comments:

  1. I have two 2215s on my sewing table right now. Such a lovely dress and the Liberty fabric makes it sing.

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  2. Oh that's a gorgeous print! Funnily I was just looking at this pattern and was contemplating buying it! It actually looks very similar to a vintage pattern I just used (post coming soon). I have the same problem with neckline and back gap, mostly neckline though. I adjust the centre front so it cuts off however much fabric I don't need. I can't remember where I learnt it but just did a quick google search and it's like the first method here: http://phatchickdesigns.blogspot.com.au/2008/07/fitting-tutorial-removing-neck-gape.html

    For back gape I find myself always removing fabric from the top and tapering down.
    Hope that helps!

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  3. Nice! and loving the red belt.

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  4. I've done the adjustment like Bohanda has. I've also, depending on the pattern or how I'm feeling, taken a sloping bit off of the shoulder. Like this http://paunnet.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/sureau-sew-along-fixing-shoulder-line.html

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  5. Hello, liberty belle! You look super fab, this frock is stunning and it is an all around summer win!

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  6. I love it - looks fantastic on you. You definitely made the right decision to keep it as a dress. Love the red belt too.

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  7. Really pretty, love the button detail and fabric choice

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  8. The dress looks lovely (as does the sunshine!). I often have to adjust patterns for gaping necklines and do it by putting a dart in the neckline of the pattern piece itself. It makes it slightly harder to cut as the paper is no longer completely flat, but creates a tighter neckline in the fabric. I usually take about a cm or so out.

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  9. It's really interesting to see this dress on you! Thanks for the encouragement for my own version! Yours looks absolutely lovely and I'm wondering if a lighter fabric choice might not be the solution... The skirt does look fabulous indeed in this fabric! we shall see... :-)
    Adrienne

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