adult's clothing, sewing

Cityscapes dress

I subscribe to emails from The Sewing Workshop, but until recently haven’t used any of their patterns.  This is the Cityscapes dress.

Sewing Workshop Cityscapes dress in ponte

Because my shape has changed I am finding it harder to choose the best size for me when using patterns from companies I haven’t sewn from before. I sewed this dress in size Medium, despite my measurements being more like a Large. I still think it’s a bit to big across my shoulders. I also shortened the pattern considerably by taking folds out of it at a number of places. Shortening from the hem wasn’t an option as that would have affected the cocoon shaping.

Sewing Workshop Cityscapes dress in ponte

The fabric is ponte, I think from Darn Cheap Fabrics. I rather like the colour, but in combination with the high neckline, long sleeves and long dress length, feel a little swamped by blue when wearing it. Tights, shoes and scarves make quite a difference!

Sewing Workshop Cityscapes dress in ponte

The neckline really is too high for my personal preference, and you can see better in these photos that the shoulders are probably a bit too wide. The dress is shaped with long darts that run from just below the bust to the hemline.

Sewing Workshop Cityscapes dress in ponte

I actually think that I may have done a bit of a sway back alteration in this dress, but even given the cocoon shaping, it still looks as though there is excess on me at centre back (which regular readers of my blog know isn’t unusual at all). Construction was shared between the machine and the overlocker.

Sewing Workshop Cityscapes dress in ponte

From the pattern website: Cityscapes Dress Semi-fitted, long sleeve dress has extended darts creating bell shape and tapered midi length hemline. Suggested Fabrics Moderate stretch knit, jersey, interlock, double knit, novelty knit.

cityscapestechnicals

I’m glad that I gave this pattern a try, and would possibly sew it again, but using a lighter weight fabric, narrowing the shoulders and scooping the neckline.  It’s an interesting style – simple, but a little bit quirky in shape.

Sewing Workshop Cityscapes dress in ponte