Summer of Dresses - The Lady Skater Dress

6.23.2013

Hello Darrrrrlinks, it seems like we have a bit of a shower going on, but never fear the summer dress parade is rain or shine.
 However the rain makes some of our models a little...odd?  How else can we explain this shot.
Perhaps there is another explanation.  The models tell us they feel so comfortable and pretty in their new Lady Skater dresses that they can't help dancing about. Or posing in a Voguish manner.
Truly this pattern is stellar.  The neckband is just the right depth, the sleeves are just the right length and the skirt is the kind you want to swish around in.
Now let's let our intrepid "sweat shop worker" tell you more. 

Pattern
The Lady Skater Dress from Kitschy Coo. I used a combination of the size 5 for the bust measurement and a size 6 for the waist measurement. No FBA was needed, truth in advertizing hooray!

Fabrics used
The fox print is a stashed rayon/lycra jersey once again from Emmaonesock.com  The solid black is a mystery scrap left over some unknown project.
Pattern changes/alterations
1. Turns out I'm super short waisted, which is something I know but like to pretend isn't true.  I took 2" of length out of the front and back bodice. That still didn't remove enough bodice length so I....

2. ...... cut off the curve on the bottom of the bodices. Then added the length taken out of the bodice back into the top of skirt. 

3. The skirt was a little short for my tastes and there was not enough fox fabric to lengthen it.  Instead I added a contrast band to the hem.  After hemming the width of the band is 4 3/8".
4. Used contrast bands for the neck and cuff because it looked a little snazzier.

Confessions/Advice
1. I did put clear elastic in the shoulder seams but took it out of the waist seam.  This rayon is on the thinner side and the elastic made that seam bumpy looking.

2.  The waist seam is still not at my natural waist, especially in the back, but I ripped that seam out about 20 times and was DONE.

3. I don't usually top-stitch knits on my regular sewing machine but decided to give it a shot this time.  So far none of the stitching has popped on the neck and arm bands and it does give a nice finish.

Husband Comment
"What are those, squirrels? Oh they're foxes.  Well that's pretty foxy."

My Final Thoughts
I'm already rubbing my hands together and cackling about all the things I can do with this pattern.  Making multiple knit dresses is just a beginning.  I think the skirt is particularity great and would look divine mixed and matched with other tops.  The Skater bodice can be easily lengthened into awesome summer T-shirt for all those separates in the closet.  Yes Yes, many evil ... I mean design plans are in the works.

30 comments:

  1. I adore this dress and I think I'm going to have to get the pattern. Also, I love how much you ham it up for the camera. :D

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    1. Thank you Lady K. You should definitely get the pattern and make it up in some bold print.

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  2. ditto lady katza - you are a hilarious ham! :D

    i love this fabric too. oh amrika, with your nice fabrics. <3

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    1. Thanks Sweary, I will endeavor to ham it up since it's fun for everyone. America, home of pretty fabrics and good customer service.....and obesity.

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  3. Yes, yes, foxy lady. That is a fab Skater!

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    1. Oh my dear you are far foxier than I in your leopard skater, roawrrrr. :) But thank you.

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  4. Love those contrast bands, and the foxes are way cool!

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    1. Thank you, I waffled on them a lot, but in the end the contrast was the right way to go.

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  5. I lurve it! Can't wait to make my own!!!!

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    1. I can't wait for you to make one! *Jumping up and down with excitement*

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  6. Excellent work and what great fabric too!

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    1. Thanks MaLora, the foxes are most pleased that you love them/

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  7. Such a nice simple shape for such a fun print! Love the foxes! And the graphic pop of black around the edges and as a sash really complete the whole look so well. It looks great!

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    1. You were so right about the sash Brooke, 10 sewicalist points for you! Thanks!!!

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    2. ooo points for me! Thanks! hehe. Glad you gave it a try and that it worked out for you! =)

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  8. Now I do like that dress - bookmarked it for future reference. I tried to take some photos of myself today and they were terrible so I think your are great.

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    1. It's a lovely pattern, I do recommend it. There are days when all my photos come out horrible. You just gotta hope the photo juju shows up.

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  9. Oh WINNER!! I just love that fabric, the pattern created by the fox tails is genius! And, the contrast hem band you added really makes the dress. Lovely! So, ummmmm, Emmaonesock.com you say?? (supposed to be using stash fabric....)

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    1. Winner, winner, chicken dinner! LOL sorry it popped in my head. Thanks so much and while Emma doesn't have any more of this fabric she does stock a lot of nice knit prints. You might want to lurk around for future garments.

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  10. I downloaded this pattern just a few days ago - now if only I had that fox fabric! The fabric is just perfect and I really like the contrast bands you've added. Great ideas too about converting this to separates. I am so going to be a copycat!

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    1. Awesome, you're gonna love it. It sews together pretty fast too, if I didn't keep waffling on the contrast bands I might have gotten it done in a day. Can't wait to see your version.

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  11. This dress is awesome! I really need to get this pattern.

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  12. You look great! Love that fabric so much. Thanks for the lovely review :)

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    1. Thank you for the wonderful pattern, I couldn't help but gush. :)

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  13. Hi heather! Just letting you know that I have nominated you for a Super Sweet Blogger award! http://creatinginthegap.blogspot.ca/

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    1. Thank you Margo, I'll put this in my to post list.

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  14. Really nice version, the fabric is wonderful! I just finished my dress and I had the same problem with the clear elastic, it was the first time I was using it, I really hated the waist seam, it was really wavy, very awful, so I removed it as well... I also have a short torso (which I didn't know...), so I had to remove 3 inches from the bodice, but I wasn't smart like you, and I didn't add those 3 inches on the skirt, so the dress is kind of short now, haha! I posted the pictures on Kitschy Coo Flickr group

    Tatiana
    Brazil

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    1. Thanks Tatiana. I love how you stenciled your Lady Skater, it looks awesome. Was thinking that I would try some knit stay tape for the waist area for my next version.

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  15. You are looking awesome in this dress.

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