Eva Knit dress

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Instructions

I'm not sure this one suits me - it's in the back of my wardrobe as a sewing fail. What do you think? I'm not sure this one suits me - it's in the back of my wardrobe as a sewing fail. What do you think?

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Difficulty:

Category: Sewing

Type of item: Clothing

For: Women

Style: Classic

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Materials

A rather thin dubious knit material - I should have known better!

What was your inspiration?

I found this great site for free patterns Your Style Rocks. There are only a few patterns but they are awesome! I was immediately drawn to the Eva dress. Their photo on the dress form looks so slimming and sophisticated that I had to make it. Except mine didnt come out quite like that.

It is described as a classy and elegant dress with a beautiful cowl neck. I chose to make it in a plain black, although with the design across the front being in different pieces, I think this would look great as a color blocked dress.

What are you most proud of?

I made a pretty good job of the draped diagonal waist.

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

I used a light-weight slinky knit from my local store and I think this is mostly where I went wrong with this pattern. My fabric is simply too light and thin to have the smooth draping called for to make this look really good.

The dress was quick and easy to put together. The pattern is very well drafted and fits together perfectly. Instructions and clear and easy to follow and the dress fitted me just great without the need for any large alterations.

There is a tuck in the back, which is in two pieces, top and skirt, and the tuck is in both parts. It pulls in the waist a little to make the dress more fitted. Im actually not too sure about this feature. It might be better omitting this and have the black plain, and cutting it smaller in the waist instead.

When it was finished, it fit quite well, and there was enough ease to allow me to pull the dress on and off, but not too much. I have worn it a couple of times and I thought it looked good, although my colleagues werent so sure.

Now Ive seen these photos I agree with them. It just does NOT suit me. I look too butch. Is it the wide slashed neckline and the little sticky-out sleeves? I look like a tiny head on some huge shoulders. And the shape is all wrong, or the length? The diagonal lines on the front? Or maybe its the silly way I am holding my arms in these photos.

Im just not sure why it looks so bad, I cant quite put my finger on it. But this dress makes me look all frumpy and dumpy and just Big. Im pretty sure its the wide neck and the sleeves are wrong for me. Its in the back of my wardrobe now and I wont wear it again unless I can change it somehow.