Thursday, September 20, 2012

An all DKNY day

This is what I wore today.  I got so many compliments from my coworkers (male and female), and I think it's because I never wear jackets at work.  The jacket is DKNY, Vogue 2833 in a heavy wool diagonal striped twill.  The dress is also DKNY, Vogue 1257.

I bought the jacket pattern almost 8 years ago, cut out the pieces and never made it... when I moved cross states 3 years ago, I threw out the pieces thinking I would never make this jacket.  And here we are, I've made it!  I sewed the jacket in a size 8 and wonder if I should have sized down to a 6.  There is a lot of wearing ease to it, which makes it kind of like a swing jacket and flouncy rather than fitted.  It's very well drafted and went together very easily.  I had gotten so used to Burda design and instructions that I had forgotten how user friendly Vogue instructions are!
 

 You can't tell in the photos, but there are two in-seam pockets in the front.  The bell sleeves have vents so that your hands are not completely engulfed in fabric.  The collar piece and peplum are all cut in one, and the body is princess seamed.

The dress is a mustard yellow rather than the sunshine yellow it appears to be in my photos.  This also went together quite easily but the bodice front got stretched out when I reinforced the edge with clear elastic,  but I will take it.  I should have cut the clear elastic shorter than the sewn edge (the instructions advise you to cut it the same length as the edge and stretch as you sew.  I sewed this dress in a size 6, and am very happy with how the sleeves are drafted.  The seaming is quite interesting, just a seam in the back armscye and the shoulder, then an underseam, and the draft is very narrow. 


 

Looking at others' reviews of this dress, I guess I am fortunate to have found one of the few designs that require little twig arms -- many others have had problems with the narrowness of these sleeves, but I am quite happy with them.  To be honest, I'm not sure how much wear I will get from this dress before it gets really cold in New England.  The fabric is almost tissue weight cotton jersey, so probably not my best bet once winter arrives but it's perfect for Fall. 

I have sewn several other items in the last month (including fixing that gingham dress!) and just need to find the time to take photos and post them.  Next up on my plate is mocking up some fitted trousers.  I've realized that my TNT skinny pant only really works with very elastic wovens or double knits, so I want to see if I can find a new alternative that works with less forgiving material.

14 comments:

  1. You look gorgeous! I love the colour combination. I'm glad to see a good review of this pattern, as I was put off by the other reviews. Very sharp outfit!

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  2. Such a pretty combination on you, I can see why you were getting compliments. :-) Can't wait to see the save you made on the gingham dress, so we can see the it modeled. :-)

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  3. A jacket always helps a person look pulled together. This is fab paired with your yellow dress. The dress is super flattering on you. I am not surprised that you got a lot of compliments!

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  4. I love this outfit on you, and it stands out, hence the compliments.

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  5. I am a massive DKNY pattern fan so of course I love both of these pieces. You probably could go down a size in the jacket although it looks great as it is now and at least you will be able to wear layers under it in the winter. I have the dress pattern, but definitely no "twig" arms so I'll need to do some work on it. Lucky you that yours looks so good straight from the envelope.

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  6. Wow!!!! Va-Va-Va Voom!!!! You look so stunning. I love the color palette, the jacke, and the yellow dress is killer. If forgot how cute that dress was, especially in such a vivid color. Well done! You look fabulous!!!

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  7. Woswer. I LOVE the yellow dress. Love it.

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  8. Melissa, you look great in your dress. The front neckline is a design feature.

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  9. Very nice outfit... no wonder you got tons of compliments!

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  10. Love the cut of that jacket! I just googled the pattern. DK's jackets have the most wonderful seaming - it just makes them stand out from the jacket crowd. And your yellow dress is just WOW. Love the colour, the fit... everything!

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  11. Love both pieces! The princess seaming on the jacket is so flattering, and the little peplum is just perfect.

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  12. Great looking jacket and love the yellow dress!

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  13. You look so sharp and fashionable in this outfit! I love your jacket, and to tell you the truth I'm envious that your dress fitted you so nicely (my version was a bit messy...)

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