Tag: 1161

This is Vogue 1161, a Rachel Comey designer pattern.

I think this ranks as the most technically complicated thing I’ve ever made (look at those right-angled seams on the front!), and I have to say that I’m rather proud of it.

Yes, there are things I’d change (mostly in the fit of the bodice), and things I’m not too pleased with (the hem facing and the not-very-invisible zip), but overall I’m very pleased with how this came out. Plus it does actually fit, which is always a bonus when you’ve spent two days making a dress!

My favourite part of this dress is the back. The knot makes the construction rather complicated, as it affects the order in which you have to assemble all the parts. But it looks so pretty! The keyhole back is just high enough that you can wear an ordinary bra underneath. This is always good, because any dress that requires specialist underwear almost invariably never gets worn. I also love the little flare at the back of the skirt. So pretty and so flattering, although a bit of a tricky one to hem.

The centre back seam isn’t as wonky as it looks, honest. I had to take a couple of inches out of the back of the bodice. This made a curved seam which fits me really well, but my dress form less so. I’m also fairly happy with the zip. It’s not as invisible as I’d have liked, but this was the first time I’d used an invisible zip (in 14 years of sewing!), so I think allowances can be made. I was very glad that I managed to line up the seams at the waist so neatly though.

I wore this out to a friend’s birthday party the day I finished it, and it coped well with the rigours of dancing and eating cake. It’s a little shorter than I’d normally wear, but this one will definitely be coming out of the wardrobe on special occasions!