Vogue 1250 seemed to be the dress pattern hit of 2011.  There are a multitude of reviews of this dress on Pattern Review and examples of it around the sewing blogs.  I have made it before, and wouldn’t be surprised if I make it again.  There are only three pieces!  The upper back, the front/skirt back, and a small strip to stabilise the back neckline.

I used a fairly lightweight polyester (probably) knit from Darn Cheap Fabrics (recently on the $2 per metre bargain table, but I paid more). It has some texture throughout. This time I shortened the dress an inch or so at the “shorten or lengthen here” line, as well as shortening it through the bodice slightly as I had done previously. Rather than using the textured knit for the back facing strip, I used some cotton/lycra that I had on hand due to it’s superior recovery. I thought that it would hold up better and give a neater back neckline.

This is size 14, the same as last time, but even though I’ve lost weight since the last time I made it with the clingier fabric I will probably wear a full slip underneath to smooth things out and reduce the cling a little. I followed Kay’s suggestions to deepen the front cowl self-facing, which worked a treat. The self-facing on the previous dress had a tendency to flip out a little, but with this modification it drapes much better and there is no risk of it flipping forward.  She also has suggestions for raising the armhole – I didn’t bother.

This dress is incredibly quick to make, and flatters most sizes and shapes. A definite winner! I’ve seen it altered to maxi length as well…hmmm, maybe I should give that a go…