This is Vintage Vogue 1136, a simple pattern that gave me more trouble than it should have. I guess that’s why I needed a glass of wine to toast the completed project.
Pattern pose
I had some serious fitting issues with the back, which, to be fair, probably had more to do with me than the pattern. Usually I wear a size 14 top and bottom, but in this pattern, I’m apparently a size 12 or smaller on top and a size 14 on the bottom.
I’m happy to say that I eventually moved from this:
to this:
however, I had the lovely experience of putting in the zipper three times before I got the fit close to right.
I ended up liking the dress, but wish I would have spent more time fitting as I sewed. If I had, I might have caught the back issue early on, instead of having to fix it once the dress was made and the zipper was in. If you’re interested in seeing how I fixed the back, please check out my blog.
This post was written by...
Jeannie Watt – who has written 4 posts on WeSewRetro.com.
I’m a romance writer and a sewing enthusiast. When I get into a rough patch while writing, I sew and vice versa. It works. I end up with new clothes to wear and new manuscripts to send off to my editor. I live in rural Nevada with my husband, dog, cat and horses. My idea of heaven is visiting my kids in San Francisco and shopping at Britex.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
ooo no a 3 times zipper insertion …eeeep. glad you did though because it’s a stunning dress, I really love the girly but not too girly colour
Thanks Allison. I got really good at putting the zipper back in by the end.
I’m so glad you posted this! I have the same pattern, and I think I must have similar measurements to yours–my top is short and small, and on the bottom I sew a size 14. I’ll have to take special care in fitting.
Your perseverance paid off–the dress looks beautiful on you!
Thanks, Anne. I’m going to be more careful in the future myself after this project.
Congrats on persevering and finishing this! You look fabulous and it’s a stunning pattern.
Thank you. I do like the pattern. I might even make it again now that I know what I know.
Aaaah! I hate when zippers fight with you! It looks great!