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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Always find your reports informative. Amazed that you had already shortened this — yep it’s still too long. And yes, you are right about the shoulders, but not difficult to fix in next version. And I like the shape. Will bear in mind the leeeength of this when I try it out!!
Love your posts, keep em coming.
I’ve had the same shoulder issues on new patterns, and I rip out the shoulder seams and cut off some off the shoulder, and then resew the seams. It’s rough, but it makes me feel much better. The color is gorgeous on you!
Love the colour.. Agree the neckline is too bland/uninteresting for the dress.. I would prefer a boat neckline.. think you call it that.. It’s more trendier and chic.. Miles too long for you.. you have good pins and some great shoe ware.. can you undo the darts, shorten and then re dart? A big over the top necklace would finish it off beautifully.. I love your posts and thoroughly enjoy your sews..
Oh my. …. but the colour is beautiful.
Thank you for always sharing your sews. 😀
The dress is beautiful and I like the way you have styled it. Off the rack, I’d probably be satisfied with the fit but we sewing people have higher standards, yes? To me you have nailed the places to tweak. Your next version will be even better! After seeing your Cityscapes, I want to try it in a cosey cashmere to wear on rainy days. Thank you so much for your helpfully detailed and honestly detailed posts!
Hi. I think the dress style really has potential on you. I would undo shoulders and narrow them, and be done with it–I think it would be really beautiful then. elegant.
I sewed this dress when it first came out in a royal blue interlock….LOVED it and wore it often till I moved on to more fitted styles. But I’ve been yearning after it, recently, as maxi length suits me better lately. Love your version. Great inspiration! I’m going to bring it back ASAP.
Love this shape on you. Great dress pattern.
I was wondering if you could possibly help me with this pattern. I am a bit of a newbie and have not yet done any slashing. Do you cut the pattern along the slash lines and when you cut the fabric cut the entire pattern (not including the slash lines) and cut them after? Or when you cut the pattern to you cut away the slash area and then join the seams to create the shape?
When I shorten patterns I slash across at the appropriate spot, overlap the amount that I want to shorten, then tape the pattern piece back together. I also smooth out any edges. Then I cut out the fabric.
Thank you