Saturday, March 22, 2014

New Look 6071 -- Blue Sweater Dress

While my daughter has been sewing for spring ever since January, I still had a couple of winter things that I wanted to finish.  First up is this blue sweater dress I completed in late February/early March.
The pattern is New Look 6071, a Workroom/Project Runway pattern that just went out of print, so if you're interested in purchasing it, do it soon.  I really was not that interested in it myself until I saw Andrea of Fabric Epiphanies great series on this pattern: number 1number 2number 3number 4, and number 5!

Inspired by her flattering versions, I bought the pattern myself.  I had some blue sweater knit fabric from Joann Fabric that I thought would be a good match.  I cut a 14 at the neckline and added an inch to the side seams, tapering out from under the arms.  Tissue-fitting revealed that the sleeves were very narrow and I actually added almost an inch to the width all the way down the sleeve to the wrist.  I also added a little to the length of the sleeves and the skirt.

I liked the interest added at the bodice with the twist and the pleats.  Instructions were good on this.  The neckline is finished with a facing.  After reading some reviews and fearing gaping issues, I shortened the facing to somewhere between the size 10 and size 12.  I'm really glad I did, and if I make this again I will shorten that even more, which helps snug up the neckline.  The neckline still ended up a little lower than I am comfortable with, so I hand-tacked it together, giving me another inch of coverage.
The back fits very well.  I made no adjustments to that other than lengthening the skirt slightly.

All in all, this dress is okay.  I like the interest in the bodice, and the slightly A-line skirt is a nice change for me.  Definitely wearable.  The main thing I don't like about it is that it shows how thick I've gotten this winter while I was bundled up under my giant sweatshirts, and how much work I'm going to have to do to keep from getting thicker.  That's a little discouraging.  However, I do think I will try it again.  I think it might look nice in a stripe and as a top.

As for the photos, I didn't use the self-timer, but I set the tripod up and set the shots up myself.  Then I set my husband behind the camera and told him to just push the button.  I still don't understand how I can take more flattering shots of myself than he can take of me....... Anyway, these shots were taken outside, where I was constantly getting photo-bombed by my furry friends and my youngest son,

who was lovingly mocking me (now you can understand why it is so hard for me to look at ease).  But it's only fitting he should have his own photo (even though he's making a face), because this week he was the last of my offspring to pass from childhood into teen-age-hood.  Happy birthday - and yes, we did celebrate with ice cream cake!!



14 comments:

  1. Gosh! You're growing'em tall down there in Texas! This pattern looks great on you and your husband did a great job with the pictures, too.

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  2. You did a fantastic job with your sweater dress Angela, you do look great in it too! Happy thirteenth Birthday to your son, I remember when I was about ten sneaking behind my dad as he was having some photos of him in his uniform taken, I thought it was funny, he didn't,but my parents kept them and reminded me of them so often.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Sue

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  3. Your hair looks so pretty in the spring sunshine! I really like your dress. You did a great job fitting and constructing it--good for you for being alert to the width of the sleeves before cutting them out. Beautiful colors on you, too.

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  4. You look very pretty in that dress and happy birthday to your son.

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  5. "Thick"? You're kidding, right? I think you look fabulous in this dress! What a great design! I, too, love the twist and pleats in the bodice. I think that is a flattering feature.

    Happy birthday to your son! (We have a 13th birthday coming up in our family next month. Time flies, doesn't it?)

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  6. Really cute dress that looks great on you! Funny photo bombers!

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  7. Great dress! The pattern and fabric are a good match. It looks flattering and so easy to wear!

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  8. This is great...first your sewing and then the pictures. You have spunk. Your family is growing up! Great dress and great pictures!

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  9. I really like the colours in this dress and it's such a wearable shape - the kind of dress I'd wear. Looks great on you but then everything you make does! x

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  10. You did a fantastic job with that dress, it fits wonderfully on you, Love it! Your adventures with family and your camera is so funny. I think you look great in photos.

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  11. That's a great dress, and GREAT photos of you! I really like the head-shot. You have such pretty hair :) The fabric also is very pretty, and the cut is neat. Great job!

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  12. Absolutely gorgeous on you! Haha, the last photo gave me a laugh! :)

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  13. Just found your blog from PR & you've made a lot of nice things. Such a pretty dress & looks great on you.

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  14. After your comment I just had to visit and check it out! Great dress and I love the fabric!

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