Friday, May 10, 2013

Cover Girl (New Dress Pattern!)

Hi readers! I've been felled by a nasty stomach thing for the past several days, but I just got something in the mailbox to cheer me up: my dress design on the cover of a magazine! Stitch with Style is a special fashion sewing edition of Stitch Magazine, out on newsstands May 14th. (You can find ordering info and stuff here.) The magazine features the dress and instructions, and then you can download the free pattern on their website to make it yourself! Update: you can also buy a digital copy of the magazine here

The dress made its merry way to back to me yesterday, along with a fresh-off-the-presses copy of the magazine.

And hey! I also have an essay on the back page, all about the process of designing and making the cover garment.

This dress was really fun to make. I developed the pattern by draping it on my small (model-sized, not me-sized) dress form. It has a low scoop neck, tiny cap sleeves, and a full skirt with side pleats.


The fabric was a delightful find at B&J Fabrics. (I don't see this particular fabric on their website, but I think they have more, so you could call them or email them this picture if you're interested in buying some.) It's a pure silk organza with a soutache-like ribbon embroidered on top. I choose a periwinkle silk habotai as a lining/underlining (there's both in the bodice) to set off the deep blue of the ribbon work.


I'm definitely going to be making this design for myself now that it's available to download in a range of sizes (XS to XL, or bust size 32" to 44-1/2"). More to come on that!

37 comments:

  1. That is beautiful. It is added to my ever growing list of "must sews".

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  2. It's gorgeous! Love the cap sleeves. Although I hardly use commercial patterns, I want the magazine just so I can read about you. Yay!

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  3. Love it and want it! Thank you for sharing the order info...this is a great style for me, too :-). Congrats!

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  4. Always interested in a free pattern! Thanks Gretchen. x

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  5. What lovely fabric! Am I the only one to be bothered by that unbecoming arc of flesh showing between the arm joint and the edge of the dress? I know that area can be a problem with fitting sleeveless or cap sleeve dresses, but I can't think the magazine does anyone any favours by putting the model in that particular pose.

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    1. hmmm. didnt notice it. that said, her arc of flesh doesnt shock me at all or imho look disgraceful however in my overweight dangerously close to 40 self, i might offend ;P

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    2. Yes Anne, I noticed it too! That particular 'zone' is exactly why I sew vintage - because the armholes are generally a lot higher and more flattering!

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    3. Oh good, another body area we can all feel bad about ourselves for--just what women need! :)

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    4. I'm sorry, I just can't see it. She looks quite nicely photoshopped to me.

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    5. I am completely lost for what you think the that part of the body should look like. I don't even think that pose is bad. Enough nitpicking already. The model is beautiful.

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  6. Love the pattern. I'll definitely be lurking my local bookstore wait for it to come out!

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  7. Ohhhh, so pretty! I'll need to get my hands on a copy of that.

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  8. Very cute! Are you going to show an FBA for your other dress, by the way? I'm holding off on buying the pattern until I know that I can adjust the bust.

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  9. CONGRATS ON THE DRESS COVER ITS BEAUTIFUL!!! HOPE YOU GET TO FELLING BETTER SOON!!!!! LINDA

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  10. No, Anne, I don't like that bit either.

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  11. Glad you are feeling better! Love the dress....and I'll have to check out this magazine!

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  12. Thank you for the gorgeous pattern! I'd love to sew it, but I'm unsure about the sizes. What bust is the size L?

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  13. Glad you're feeling better; I've had a few friends taken down by stomach flu in the past few weeks.

    Nice dress btw!

    P.S. Add me to the list of people waiting for the FBA for the other dress pattern.

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  14. Congratulations! That is totally awesome! Did you create only one size for the pattern, and then the magazine did the different sizing? I'm kind of curious as to whether I could send in a single sized item, and have it come out in different sizes?

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    1. Yep I created the model size (25" waist) and then sent in the pattern to the magazine, who takes care of the digitizing and grading.

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  15. Lovely dress, and congratulations on the cover! Just purchased my first of this magazine, and will keep me eyes peeled for this issue... or purchase the online edition. Thank you for all your creativity!

    D'ellis

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  16. Congratulations! The dress is gorgeous (love the fabric) and would love to make this for my daughter. Your designs are so classic, thank you.

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  17. I really like this dress cause it reminds me of something I've seen on my grandma in photos, from back in her bombshell looker days.

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  18. Love love love, but live in the UK. Do you know if magazine will be released here?

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  19. Congratiolations and what a lovely pattern & gorgeous fabric!

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  20. I hope you feel better soon! And I feel great now that I can download another fabulous Gertie pattern!!!

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  21. gorgeous dress!
    big congrats!!!!!
    hope you're feeling bzetter

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  22. Thanks so much for this, beautiful dress! Hope you feel better soon xx

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  23. Congrats and thank u, Gertie for another fine dress and pattern! Feel better xx

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  24. What a beautiful dress! I am downloading the pattern right away.

    Congrats on being in Stitch Style magazine!

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  25. Wow. Congratulations. The dress looks lovely.

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  26. I got a copy on my way home from work on Friday at my favorite fabric shop (dangerously close to my office!) and am really impressed with the magazine, too. Your dress is wonderful & I'm excited to try it!

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  27. Yet another amazing dress and also published! I enjoy watching your popularity grow! You are amazing!!

    xoxo

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  28. Oooo Gertie you are such a talented lady, I love your style and this dress is simply gorgeous!

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  29. Thank you for sharing. I love your book. It was not so easy to print, as I live in Germany (we have the wrong paper size). Do you have any idea where I could get the size table for the pattern ? Thanks in advance. Greetings from Germany Janine

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  30. what a beautiful dresses. I have bookmarked this page for future use. Thanks for showing these.

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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