Designer Knock off - Green Sateen Dress

So this is my attempt at a designer knockoff. I have done these before. I knocked off some St. John's shorts earlier this year and they came out great. I also knocked off some Gucci pants which came out great as well. This time, I decided to step up the level of difficulty and knock off a David Meister dress. I saw this dress on Neiman Marcus/Saks and it was for sale for about $300. The dress is no longer listed, but here is the picture of it.

I used New Look 6968 View B as my base pattern. This pattern was perfect because I would only need to draft a front top piece. Who knew how hard that would be! Definitely harder than I thought. But I finally got a dress together and I think I am better for the experience. I really want to advance my sewing skills beyond the basic, so this is just the beginning of doing that.

I rate the pattern as OK, but not for me because I did not like how this dress was put together. I found the waist to be fairly high. The top is 'lined' but the neck also has a facing! The facing goes on top of the lining! I was a good sport and went along with this, but I hated it....ripped the whole thing apart....made the 'lining' a real lining and got rid of the neck facing. This left the arm holes unfinished because they were sewn to the 'lining' in the original format. So I just turned in the lining and hand stitched it down...same with the arm holes of the lining.

I used a poly suiting with a soft sheen and moderate stretch. I paid $7.5 for 1 1/2 yards, so this dress cost me about $13 to make. A LOT cheaper than $300!

The instructions were easy to follow, I just didn't like how the dress was put together as stated above.

I made the design changes needed to make this into my knock-off. I added a waistband piece --- I did this by making the lower part of the dress shorter. I drafted the top front piece and left the bottom pieces (save for shortening them) and the back piece as was. Drafting the front piece was a HUGE challenge bc I had to draft out the darts...four of them. Then I had to draft in the tucks...three on each side. Needless to say, this was a challenge and it took about 2 weeks to do this - alone.

In the end, I am OK with the results. I don't have much sewing experience, no drafting experience, and absolutely no training. I am completely self taught. So I have a long way to go, but I think this was an acceptable start.

I would not recommend this pattern to others because of the lining and facing of the top. There are plenty of sheath dress patterns out there than to have to use this one...unless you are ok with that format...then go for it. Other than that, the pattern was fine.

Here are the pictures....I am a little smaller than my dressform, so its tight on the dressform, but I didn't have anyone to take my pics. (I have got to improve my picture taking..working on that too! :) )

Purple Dress - Vogue 2556

I was excited about making this dress, but I am so-so about the results. I think that the tucks across the front should have been sewn into place (at the side seams) and the hem and edges at the neck and arm should have been finished (see my pattern review below). I think the dress is just ok and may wear it a time or two just to see how it wears. I may try to tack down some of the front tucks just so they don't fall and look like a confusing mess.

Alternatively, it may be my fabric choice. This pattern may have done better with a stiffer material where I could mold the tucks. It does call for a material with Lycra in it, so I suggest that your material had Lycra or something that will make it stiffer (moldable).

Here is the pattern picture:

And here is my dress:

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Pattern Description:
Dress has drape cut-in-one with no left side seam.

Pattern Sizing:
(8-10-12) (14-16-18)
Fabric Used:
Polyester Knit

Cost to Make:
$10

Time to Make:
About 4 hours total

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes and No

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes they were

What did you particularly like about this pattern?
I liked the two-toned style of the dress.

What did you dislike about the pattern?
I didn't like that the tucks/pleats in the front were not sewn. So they are supposed to just kind of fall in place. Well actually you have to place them and I can imagine contunually place them throughout the day.

I also didn't like that the neckline, shoulder, edge, and hem were left unfinished. My scissors need sharpening, so I'll have to go back and fix some ragged edges, but I just don't like all the unfinished lines.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made?
None, this pattern doesn't lend itself for many alterations.

I bought this pattern based on the measurements on the envelope. However, this pattern is too big and the tucks may lay better if the dress was tighter. I made the smallest size available on my pattern - a 12. I probably should have made a 14. I usually make an 8 or 10 in Vogue.

Would you recommend it to others?
If you are ok with unfinished ends and hems.

Conclusion:
I may wear this a few times. I may try tacking down the front pleats and see if that helps. I may try the skirt in a stiffer material maybe the dress too...time will tell...

Turquoise Knit Dress - Butterick 5606

When I first saw this pattern, I immediately thought, comfortable, versatile dress in a pretty color. So I shopped my stash and found the perfect fabric.

I had been seeing these type dresses all over fashion catalogs and websites. They are called Infinity Dresses or Convertible Dresses. Here is Donna Karan's version as seen on NM.

My version of this dress is for casual occasions and cost about $7 to make and took exactly 2 hours. I do hope to make a strapless version that more resembles the version above in the future. Ceck out the pattern review below.

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Pattern Description:
Pullover dress is close-fitting at the bust, has slightly flared skirt and drapes extending into tie-ends with raw edges, wrong side of fabric will show. May be worn foreward or backwards. Wearing instructions are included.

Pattern Sizing:
Y(XS-S-M), ZZ(L-XL-XXL)

Fabric Used:
Cotton Knit

Cost to Make:
$7

Time to Make:
2 hours

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes!

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes! There are 4 pattern pieces and 4 steps to completing this dress. You'll spend more time pinning then sewing!

What did you particularly like about this pattern?
The versatility

What did you dislike about the pattern?
I used a fabric that has a tendancy to curl, so some of the ways that I could wear this aren't as flattering because the ties curl. But there are enough designs that 'hide' the curling so I am fine.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made?
None at all; actually the ties are about 3" shorter because I ran out of fabric....but you can't tell!

Would you recommend it to others?
Yes. Make this in the morning and wear it to a house party that afternoon.
Just try not to use a knit that curls.

Conclusion:
Great dress. Very comfy. Will get a lot of wear! I'm excited; unfortunately we are having a late spring cold snap, so it will still be a few weeks before I can wear this :(.

White Linen Men's Suit - Vogue 1753

I made my DH a dashing 100% linen suit. Cost about $47 to make and is lined with cotton and washable! Excuse the wrinkles, we simply didn't bother to iron before these spur of the moment pictures.

This pattern was great! Check out the review below for more information.

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Pattern Description:
Men's Suit

Pattern Sizing:
Men

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes they were. I think this is a great pattern for a first timer; as I was.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked the simplicity of it.

Fabric Used:
100% linen.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I had to add 3" to the length of the jacket and 1.5" to the sleeve length....dh is tall. I just added this length where the pattern says 'lengthen here'.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, but there are other men's patterns that I would like to try.

Conclusion:
Give this pattern a go, I think it is fairly easy given that it is a suit.

White Linen Donna Karan Dress - Vogue 1221

I've had this white linen material in my stash for almost two years. I knew the exact dress that I wanted to make from this material. The problem was that the pattern didn't exist and I am not into patternmaking yet (I am trying to build my skills to that).

Well, my patience paid off when Vogue released this pattern.

This was the exact dress that I had envisioned!!!!! So as soon as the pattern went on sale, I scooped it up and the rest is now hanging in my closet!!! I love it, see my pattern review for more information on the pattern. This dress cost me about $20 to make, but it is a Donna Karan 100% linen dress; so I saved a few hundred dollars! The best thing is that I also made my husband a matching suit, so we will be sharp for our 10 year anniversay later this year!

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Pattern Description:
Semi-fitted, straight, above mid-knee dress has tucked front and drape, extending to back zipper.
Pattern Sizing:
AA(6-8-10-12), EE(14-16-18-20)
Fabric Used:
100% Linen - I think linen is perfect for this dress...the wrinkles go perfectly with the style of this dress.
Cost to Make:
$20
Time to Make:
About 5 hours total
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes. Exactly
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Mostly. There is a strip of fabric that is used to join the front top to the front bottom. The 'arms' that wrap around the front of the dress cover this fabric strip. However, I found the instructions for this strip to be somewhat confusing and ended up 'making it work'. So my strip didn't look exactly like the pattern pictures, but since it is covered up...just make it work. All of the tucking and pleating conceals the strip anyway.

What did you particularly like about this pattern?
I liked the styling of the front and even the V-neck.

What did you dislike about the pattern?
The length of the skirt.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made?
None, this pattern doesn't lend itself for many alterations.

I do wish that I had lengthened it, but I forgot. So instead I took a 5/8" hem instead of a 1" hem. I am 5'4" and you see where it hits me. So don't forget to lengthen it if you want it to hit your knees.

Also this dress is not lined; which is another reason linen is a great fabric choice for it. But mine (since it is white) will require a full slip. You could probably draft a lining for it if you really want one. I serged the inside to keep everything neat.
Would you recommend it to others?
YES

Conclusion:
This is a great dress and a great pattern. I Love it and can't wait to wear it!