Vogue 1496
Vogue 1496 ended up being my Christmas Day dress. At first I’d planned on wearing the blue linen Mary dress that I blogged a couple of days ago, but when I tried it on I just wasn’t feeling it. So at 4.15pm Christmas Eve I started cutting out and sewing this dress.
Surprise, another sack dress! What what a comfortable, and dare I say it, flattering, sack dress! Vogue describe the pattern as follows: Very loose-fitting, tapered, pullover dress has V-neckline, optional pockets (stitched in place), front extending into yoke back, no shoulder seams, back armhole openings with narrow hem, and stitched hem. A: Optional neckline inset.
I sewed view A, the shorter length, but without the optional neckline insert. I did actually read the pattern instructions and follow them when constructing this dress, and I’m really glad that I did. Firstly, I raised the neckline two inches as per the instruction. This is a very low neckline as drafted. It does say that in the pattern, and there are instructions on how to raise it. That alteration needs to be done on both the front pattern piece and the neckline facing piece.
I also topstitched the neckline facing down, after trying it on. I found that on the shifty rayon the neckline just wouldn’t sit nicely as it was (despite under stitching etc) but when I put in on my dress form and pinned it suddenly the whole neckline sat flat and the entire dress was more supported. So I topstitched it all down. Design feature!
The construction of this dress is quite unusual. Excluding the facings and pockets there are just two pattern pieces. The front piece extends around to form the back yoke – there are no shoulder seams. The armholes are formed where the lower back is seamed to the back yoke area. You definitely need to make all markings and refer to the instructions to get this right. I also used 6mm Vliesofix tape as per the instructions and found it really useful in construction.
Even the pocket construction is a bit unusual. The pocket bags are topstitched to the front pattern piece, so the front of the dress is the front of the pocket and your hand slips through a opening just beside the side seam into the pocket. The pocket opening is also topstitched.
Even though I sewed the shorter dress length, after finishing and trying on I folded the hem up another one and a half inches and topstitched it in place. That resulted in a better length on my 158cm height and a doubled hem, which gave the dress more pleasing weight and drape. Size-wise, I sewed size D (Sandra Betzina patterns have different sizing to other Vogue patterns) which was about one size smaller than my measurements suggested. The fabric is printed viscose from The Cloth Shop in Ivanhoe, bought some time a year or so ago.
This was actually really quick to make. Even though I didn’t start it until 4.15pm Christmas Eve, I didn’t take any short cuts along the way, still had dinner and went to the Christmas Eve service at church, and had the dress finished somewhere around 8.30pm. It’s a great pattern – just read the instructions before you start!
wow, totally fabulous. I’m so envious of how well you choose your fabrics, you really make great choices.
Your last minute decision to make this dress for Christmas was the right choice. Such an interesting design and I love the shape. Perfect fabric choice too. Absolute winner!
I love this dress on you Lara and I think it is because you chose a style that really suits you and a really interesting fabric that suits your colouring.
great dress the fabric is fantastic!
Fun dress. The fabric is perfect.
Another lovely dress Lara and such an intriguing pattern.
Great dress,really looks good. Where did you get the shoes?
That’s a really cute dress!
What a stunning dress. A total winner. It suits you so well. Don’t you love it when things turns out so perfectly and were easy to do. I’ve considered this pattern several times and haven’t purchased it yet because I thought it might be uncomfortable and binding at the sleeve openings. How do you fine wearing it? It sure looks good on you.
Happy New Year.
Should read “how do you FIND wearing it?”
I love looking at patterns even though I don’t sew very much at the moment. I wondered how this would look – so I’m really glad you tried it. I really like the tapered shape! And your fabric choice is spectacular! An excellent combination. Well done! It looks great.
Great dress and your styling is perfect!
Ditto to all the lovely comments above, the perfect ‘cool’ dress for an Aussie Christmas.
Love this dress on you Lara – great shape and I love the fabric. Think I shall investigate this pattern…
Wow. I’m normally not a fan of the sack dress, but that one with that fabulous fabric is amazing.
You look fantastic wearing it.
How cute! you wear this silhouette so well. Happy New Year!
This is so cool. This pattern was one of my Frocktails contenders. Thanks for the review!
I bought this pattern at the very end of our summer (UK). Lovely to be reminded of it. Your choice of fabric is spot-on. Those colours suit you perfectly.
The dress is indeed flattering, and I have noticed that a lot depends on the texture of the fabric. This particual dress looks very posh 🙂
You look lovely in this dress. And the fabric is great too, not to mention your accessories with it. I seriously thought about getting the pattern, and then passed on it. After seeing you, it’s back on the list. It certainly doesn’t look like a sack!
I’m a bit late to do so, but must add my thanks for your notes and admiration for yor dress!