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Vogue 8873 beats all expectations (by a mile!)

April 27, 2014 by SewMaris 28 Comments

You might be wondering why I made a dress for which I didn’t have very high expectations. I actually did think Vogue 8873 was a really cute dress design, and I am kind of crushing on cowls right now, and I wanted to use a piece of insanely-gorgeous fabric from EmmaOneSocksome great fabric store…..so I was initially sure the finished product was going to be lovely.

Vogue pattern 8873 made by Sew Maris

Somehow, don’t ask me how because I can’t explain it, I didn’t realize until the project was underway that the waistline was dropped below the natural waist. Yes, the technical drawing/pictures give a hint of this. Yes, the front bodice darts indicated this. But somehow I was not paying enough attention. And a dropped waist on a high-hipped lady usually spells trouble. So I fretted and stewed. Worried that I was putting effort into something that was not going to be wearable. Worried I was “wasting” my beautiful fabric. Worried that my all-too-precious sewing time was being wasted.

So I constructed the dress front and the dress back, and basted the side seams together. I tried it on. And I was stunned. Stunned, I tell you.

Voue 8873 as sewn by Sew Maris

It worked on my figure! It fit perfectly! It was not wasted effort in any way! And since I have at least one wedding to attend this summer I now have a pretty new dress to wear that makes me feel all flirty and feminine. Winner-winner chicken-dinner!

Vogue 8873 as sewn by Sew Maris

The fabric is a super comfy ponte in an inky navy blue paintbrush print. I fell in love with this fabric and ordered several yards (how many months ago?), not knowing for certain what it wanted to become. When I saw Vogue 8873 it was a natural pairing.

The instructions call for this dress to be lined, but I didn’t have any stretchy lining in my stash, and couldn’t find any tricot when I made a feeble attempt to find a suitable lining. I took a risk that the lining was not required. That decision did require binding the armhole with ivory bias Ambiance; easy-peasy. I also lined the pockets with the same ivory Ambiance.

I made my usual “petite above the waist” adjustment, and lengthened the skirt by almost 2 inches. (Thanks be to God, since it ended barely at my knees!) Other than that, a straight size 14. This dress is very easy to sew, and I am thinking about making another version with the bias skirt, maybe in a floaty rayon fabric? In the meantime, I plan to wear the heck out of this pretty frock!

Vogue 8873 sewn by Sew Maris

Geez, too many selfies in this post?!? πŸ˜‰

Happy sewing!

Maris

Filed Under: Dresses

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. SeamstressErin

    April 27, 2014 at 8:57 pm

    You look gorgeous in that gorgeous dress!

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      April 27, 2014 at 9:13 pm

      Thanks, beautiful!!

      Reply
  2. Hanne

    April 28, 2014 at 2:05 am

    You look amazing in this gorgeous dress! It’s so cool and feminine at the same time! You picked a great print as well!

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      April 28, 2014 at 6:53 am

      Thank you so much Hanne! I just love it and know it is going to be a favorite.

      Reply
  3. NewRibena

    April 28, 2014 at 5:36 am

    Your dress is lovely. Glad is worked for you.

    Reply
  4. Gwen Gyldenege

    April 28, 2014 at 7:25 am

    Gorgeous dress. Perfect for picnics, cocktails, and a nice evening walk!

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      April 28, 2014 at 2:49 pm

      Thanks Gwen! I bet I will be able to “sashay” in it! πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  5. Carrie

    April 28, 2014 at 9:12 am

    Oooo I love this dress!! and it looks so great on you!!
    P.S. I also didn’t notice that the pattern nada dropped waist πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      April 28, 2014 at 2:48 pm

      THanks very much Carrie, and I am so glad I am not the only one who didn’t notice the waistline!

      Reply
  6. Carrie

    April 28, 2014 at 9:12 am

    Oooo I love this dress!! and it looks so great on you!!
    P.S. I also didn’t notice that the pattern had a dropped waist πŸ™‚

    Reply
  7. Ginger

    April 28, 2014 at 10:14 am

    This is really, really lovely! I love it on you!

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      April 28, 2014 at 2:47 pm

      Thank you Ginger – you are too sweet!

      Reply
  8. lisa g

    April 28, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    this dress looks great on you! i love the fabric, what a perfect pairing!

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      April 28, 2014 at 2:47 pm

      Thank you so much Lisa!

      Reply
  9. Cissie

    April 28, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    Beautiful style on you! You’ll get lots of wear out of that, I’m certain. Love the fabric, too.

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      April 28, 2014 at 2:49 pm

      Thanks Cissie, I sure hope so!

      Reply
  10. Mary Kay Reynolds

    April 29, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    Very nice! This dress looks so good on you. Love the fabric.

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      April 29, 2014 at 6:19 pm

      Thanks so much, Mary Kay!

      Reply
  11. Laura

    April 29, 2014 at 11:03 pm

    Fabulous dress! You look smashing in it. (and I see you now have a follow up comment notification option- yay!)

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      May 3, 2014 at 8:25 am

      Thanks Laura! And thanks for the reminder to add the comment follow-up!

      Reply
  12. Claire Anderson

    May 2, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    WOW you are soooooo pretty and I love the fabric!! I cant WAIT to see you this summer!!!!!!!!!!

    P.S. Ok, I REALLY want that dress!!!

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      May 3, 2014 at 8:24 am

      Hahaha, thanks Claire!

      Reply
  13. Ruth

    May 3, 2014 at 12:54 am

    Gorgeous dress Maris.

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      May 3, 2014 at 8:24 am

      Aww, you are the best Ruth!

      Reply
  14. Marysia Paling

    May 3, 2014 at 3:19 am

    Hi Maris,

    The dress is such a beautiful fit and the fabric suits you so well too.
    Enjoy wearing it and the compliments that will come with it!

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      May 3, 2014 at 8:23 am

      Thank you so much Marysia, and thanks for reading! Always so fun to see a new name!

      Reply
  15. Nancy

    May 4, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    Beautiful! Fits like a glove!

    Reply
    • SewMaris

      May 4, 2014 at 3:11 pm

      Thanks Nancy!!

      Reply

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